the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites,

Musicians Appointed by David

These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord, after the ark rested there.

The Ark Brought from Kiriath-jearim

David consulted with the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with every leader.

Then let us bring again the ark of our God to us; for we neglected it in the days of Saul.”

So David assembled all Israel from the Shihor of Egypt to the entrance of Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kir′iath-je′arim.

And David and all Israel went up to Ba′alah, that is, to Kir′iath-je′arim which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord who sits enthroned above the cherubim.

And they carried the ark of God upon a new cart, from the house of Abin′adab, and Uzzah and Ahi′o were driving the cart.

And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled.

And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and he smote him because he put forth his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.

And David was afraid of God that day; and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?”

So David did not take the ark home into the city of David, but took it aside to the house of O′bed-e′dom the Gittite.

And the ark of God remained with the household of O′bed-e′dom in his house three months; and the Lord blessed the household of O′bed-e′dom and all that he had.

The Ark Brought to Jerusalem

David built houses for himself in the city of David; and he prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched a tent for it.

Then David said, “No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to minister to him for ever.”

And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the Lord to its place, which he had prepared for it.

and said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, so that you may bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it.

So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel.

And the Levites carried the ark of God upon their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the Lord.

Berechi′ah and Elka′nah were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

Shebani′ah, Josh′aphat, Nethan′el, Ama′sai, Zechari′ah, Benai′ah, and Elie′zer, the priests, should blow the trumpets before the ark of God. O′bed-e′dom and Jehi′ah also were to be gatekeepers for the ark.

So David and the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the house of O′bed-e′dom with rejoicing.

And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the Lord, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as also were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, and the singers, and Chenani′ah the leader of the music of the singers; and David wore a linen ephod.

So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting, to the sound of the horn, trumpets, and cymbals, and made loud music on harps and lyres.

And as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David dancing and making merry; and she despised him in her heart.

The Ark Placed in the Tent

And they brought in the ark of God, and set it inside the tent which David had pitched for it; and they offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before God.

Moreover he appointed certain of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the Lord, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the Lord, the God of Israel.

and Benai′ah and Jaha′ziel the priests were to blow trumpets continually, before the ark of the covenant of God.

Regular Worship Maintained

So David left Asaph and his brethren there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister continually before the ark as each day required,

God’s Covenant with David

Now when David dwelt in his house, David said to Nathan the prophet, “Behold, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under a tent.”

Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the Lord.”

Then King David rose to his feet and said: “Hear me, my brethren and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God; and I made preparations for building.

for the altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord.