The Covenant Box is Brought to Jerusalem

(1 Chr 13.1–14; 15.25—16.6, 43)

1Once more David called together the best soldiers in Israel, a total of 30,000 men, 26.2: Ex 25.22and led them to Baalah6.2 Probable text (see 1 Chr 13.6) to Baalah; Hebrew from Baaley, or from the leaders. in Judah, in order to bring from there God's Covenant Box, bearing the name of the LORD Almighty, who is enthroned above the winged creatures.6.2 winged creatures: See Word List. 36.3: 1 Sam 7.1–2They took it from Abinadab's home on the hill and placed it on a new cart. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart, 4with Ahio walking in front. 5David and all the Israelites were dancing and singing with all their might6.5 One ancient translation (and see 1 Chr 13.8) and singing with all their might; Hebrew with all the fir trees. to honour the LORD. They were playing harps, lyres, drums, rattles, and cymbals.

6As they came to the threshing place of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out and took hold of the Covenant Box. 7At once the LORD God became angry with Uzzah and killed him because of his irreverence.6.7 Probable text his irreverence; Hebrew unclear. Uzzah died there beside the Covenant Box, 8and so that place has been called Perez Uzzah6.8 Perez Uzzah: This name in Hebrew means “Punishment of Uzzah”. ever since. David was furious because the LORD had punished Uzzah in anger.

9Then David was afraid of the LORD and said, “How can I take the Covenant Box with me now?” 10So he decided not to take it with him to Jerusalem; instead, he turned off the road and took it to the house of Obed Edom, a native of the city of Gath. 116.11: 1 Chr 26.4–5It stayed there three months, and the LORD blessed Obed Edom and his family.

12King David heard that because of the Covenant Box the LORD had blessed Obed Edom's family and all that he had; so he fetched the Covenant Box from Obed's house to take it to Jerusalem with a great celebration. 13After the men carrying the Covenant Box had gone six steps, David made them stop while he offered the LORD a sacrifice of a bull and a fattened calf. 14David, wearing only a linen cloth round his waist, danced with all his might to honour the LORD. 15And so he and all the Israelites took the Covenant Box up to Jerusalem with shouts of joy and the sound of trumpets.

16As the Box was being brought into the city, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and jumping around in the sacred dance, and she was disgusted with him. 17They brought the Box and put it in its place in the Tent that David had set up for it. Then he offered sacrifices and fellowship offerings to the LORD. 18When he had finished offering the sacrifices, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD Almighty 196.19–20: 1 Chr 16.43and distributed food to them all. He gave each man and woman in Israel a loaf of bread, a piece of roasted meat,6.19 a piece of roasted meat; or a cake of dates. and some raisins. Then everyone went home.

20Afterwards, when David went home to greet his family, Michal came out to meet him. “The king of Israel made a big name for himself today!” she said. “He exposed himself like a fool in the sight of the servant women of his officials!”

21David answered, “I was dancing to honour the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and his family to make me the leader of his people Israel. And I will go on dancing to honour the LORD, 22and will disgrace myself even more. You6.22 One ancient translation You; Hebrew I. may think I am nothing, but those women will think highly of me!”

23Michal, Saul's daughter, never had any children.