²⁴ Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices^[a] until the people had finished marching past.^{(A) 25} Then the king instructed Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city.^(B) If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, He will bring me back and allow me to see both it and its dwelling place.^{(C) 26} However, if He should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am—He can do with me whatever pleases Him.”^[b](D)

²⁷ The king also said to Zadok the priest,^(E) “Look,^[c] return to the city in peace and your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan. ²⁸ Remember, I’ll wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” ²⁹ So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.