1 Chronicles 13

1 David consulted with the captains of thousands and of hundreds, even with every leader.

David had discussions with all his leaders, including the army commanders of thousands and hundreds.

2 David said to all the assembly of Israel, "If it seems good to you, and if there is a breakthrough from the LORD our God, let us send abroad everywhere to our brothers who are left in all the land of Israel, with whom the priests and Levites are in their cities that have suburbs, that they may gather themselves to us;

Then he addressed the whole assembly of Israel, saying, “If you agree, and if God approves, let us send an invitation to every Israelite in the land, including the priests and Levites in their towns and pastures, to come and join us.

3 and let us bring again the ark of our God to us. For we did not seek it in the days of Saul."

Let us bring the Ark of our God back to us, because we forgot about it during the time of Saul.”

4 All the assembly said that they would do so; for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.

The whole assembly was pleased with the proposal, agreeing that this would be a good thing to do.

5 So David assembled all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt even to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim.

So David summoned all of Israel, from the Shihor River of Egypt up to Lebo-hamath, to help bring the Ark from Kiriath-jearim.

6 And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath Jearim, which belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD enthroned on the cherubim.

So David and all of Israel went to Baalah (otherwise called Kiriath-jearim) in Judah to bring back the Ark of God the Lord, whose throne is between the cherubim and who is called by the Name.

7 They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drove the cart.

They loaded the Ark of God onto a brand new cart and brought it from Adinadab's house, with Uzzah and Ahio directing it.

8 David and all Israel played before God with all their might, even with songs, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

David and all of Israel were celebrating before the Lord as loudly as possible, singing sings and playing music on lyres, harps, tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

9 When they came to the threshing floor of Nodan, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.

But when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, the oxen stumbled and Uzzah stretched out his hand to stop the Ark falling.

10 The anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he struck him, because he put forth his hand to the ark; and there he died before God.

The Lord was angry with Uzzah for daring to touch the Ark like this so he struck him down, and Uzzah died there before the Lord.

11 David was displeased, because the LORD had broken forth on Uzza; and he called that place Perez Uzza, to this day.

David became angry with the Lord for his violent outburst against Uzzah. He named the place Perez-uzzah, and it is still called that today.

12 David was afraid of God that day, saying, "How can I bring the ark of God to me?"

David became afraid of God that day. “How can I ever bring back the Ark of God home to me?” he asked.

13 So David did not move the ark to him into the City of David, but diverted it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite.

So David did not move the Ark of God to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he had it taken to the home of Obed-edom the Gittite.

14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months: and the LORD blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that he had.

The Ark of God remained in Obed-edom's home for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom's household and all that he had.