The Ark Is Brought to Jerusalem

1Then David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2And David arose and went with all the people who were with him [†]from [†]Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God which is called by the Name, the very name of Yahweh of hosts who is [†]enthroned above the cherubim. 3And they [†]drove the ark of God on a new cart that they might bring it from the house of Abinadab which was on the hill; and [†]Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were leading the new cart. 4So they brought it with the ark of God from the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Ahio was walking ahead of the ark. 5Now David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before Yahweh with all kinds of instruments made of [†]fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

6Then they came to the threshing floor of Nacon. And [†]Uzzah reached out toward the ark of God and took hold of it, because the oxen nearly upset it. 7And the anger of Yahweh burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for [†]his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God. 8And David became angry because [†]of Yahweh’s breaking out against Uzzah; and that place is called [†]Perez-uzzah to this day. 9So David was afraid of Yahweh that day; and he said, “How can the ark of Yahweh come to me?” 10And David was unwilling to move the ark of Yahweh into the city of David with him; but David took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. 11Thus the ark of Yahweh remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months, and Yahweh blessed Obed-edom and all his household.

12Then it was told to King David, saying, “Yahweh has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, on account of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. 13And so it happened, that when those who were carrying the ark of Yahweh had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. 14And David was dancing before Yahweh with all his strength, and David was girded with a linen ephod. 15So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of Yahweh with shouting and the sound of the trumpet.

David Dances Before Yahweh

16Then it happened as the ark of Yahweh came into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before Yahweh; and she despised him in her heart.

17And they brought in the ark of Yahweh and placed it in its place inside the tent which David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Yahweh. 18Then David completed offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings. And he blessed the people in the name of Yahweh of hosts. 19And he apportioned to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread and one of dates and one of raisins to each one. Then all the people went each to his house.

20But David returned to bless his household, and Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel has glorified himself today! He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids as one of the worthless ones shamelessly uncovers himself!” 21So David said to Michal, “It was before Yahweh, who chose me above your father and above all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of Yahweh, over Israel; therefore I will celebrate before Yahweh. 22And I will be esteemed even more lightly than this and will be humble in my own eyes, but with the maids of whom you have spoken, with them I will be glorified.” 23And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.