Bringing Back the Ark

13:1–14pp—2Sa 6:1–11

13 David conferred with each of his officers, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds. 2 He then said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our people throughout the territories of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites who are with them in their towns and pasturelands, to come and join us. 3 Let us bring the ark of our God back to us,s for we did not inquiret ofa itb during the reign of Saul.” 4 The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.

5 So David assembled all Israel,u from the Shihor Riverv in Egypt to Lebo Hamath,w to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.x 6 David and all Israel went to Baalahy of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who is enthroned between the cherubimz—the ark that is called by the Name.

7 They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’sa house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. 8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.b