David gathered thirty thousand chosen Israelites and went to Baale Judah to bring back God’s ark. The ark held the covenant tablets and had winged cherubim on its cover. It bore the name of the LORD of Armies. They placed it on a new cart, and Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, guided it. David and Israel celebrated before God with harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, and other instruments.
At Nacon’s threshing floor the oxen stumbled. Uzzah reached out to steady the ark, and God struck him there. Uzzah died beside the ark. David was distressed and afraid, and he did not bring the ark into the City of David that day. Instead he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath.
The ark remained there three months, and God blessed Obed-edom’s household and all he owned. When David heard this, he returned joyfully to bring the ark to the city. After those carrying the ark had taken six steps, David sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
Wearing a linen garment called an ephod, David danced before God with all his strength. Israel brought up the ark with shouts and the sound of a trumpet. Michal, Saul’s daughter, watched from a window and despised David in her heart when she saw him leaping and dancing before the LORD.
They set the ark inside the tent David had pitched. David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, blessed the people, and gave each Israelite bread, dates, and raisins. When he returned to bless his household, Michal met him with scorn. David answered that he had celebrated before God, who had chosen him to rule Israel. Michal had no child until the day she died.