Uzzah and the Ark

The words

1. Ark of God

   Here, the sacred chest holding the covenant tablets.

   After its stay with Obed-edom, David brings the ark into the City of David and places it in the tent he has prepared.

   2 Samuel 6:12; 2 Samuel 6:17 (opens a new tab) · Exodus 25:16 (opens a new tab) · Webster’s 1828: ark (opens a new tab)

2. Cart

   Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, drive the new cart carrying the ark; Ahio goes ahead of it.

   Did you know?

   First Chronicles describes Levites carrying the ark on their shoulders with its poles, following the command given through Moses.

   2 Samuel 6:3–4 (opens a new tab) · 1 Chronicles 15:15 (opens a new tab)

3. City of David

   David’s stronghold of Zion in Jerusalem.

   David brings the ark into the City of David with gladness after hearing that Obed-edom’s household has been blessed.

   2 Samuel 6:12 (opens a new tab) · 2 Samuel 5:6–9 (opens a new tab)

4. Error

   Negligence, in the NET Bible’s wording.

   The KJV says God strikes Uzzah “for his error” after he takes hold of the ark; Uzzah dies beside it.

   2 Samuel 6:6–7 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Samuel 6:6-7 (opens a new tab)

5. Gittite

   After Uzzah’s death, David diverts the ark to the house of Obed-edom, whom the KJV calls “the Gittite.”

   2 Samuel 6:7–10 (opens a new tab)

6. Kirjath-jearim

   First Samuel places the ark at Abinadab’s house in Kirjath-jearim, where his son Eleazar is set apart to keep it.

   1 Samuel 7:1–2 (opens a new tab)

7. Leaping

   Michal watches from a window as David leaps and dances before the LORD during the ark’s arrival in the City of David.

   2 Samuel 6:16 (opens a new tab)

8. Linen Ephod

   David wears a linen ephod while dancing before the LORD with all his might as the ark is brought up.

   2 Samuel 6:12–15 (opens a new tab)

9. Michal

   Michal, Saul’s daughter, sees David leaping and dancing from her window; the narrator says she despises him in her heart.

   2 Samuel 6:16 (opens a new tab)

10. Nachon

    Uzzah reaches for the ark at Nachon’s threshing floor when the oxen shake it; the KJV then reports his death beside the ark.

    2 Samuel 6:6–7 (opens a new tab)

11. Obed-edom

    David leaves the ark at Obed-edom’s house; after hearing that the LORD has blessed the household, he brings it onward with gladness.

    2 Samuel 6:10–12 (opens a new tab) · 2 Samuel 6:12–19 (opens a new tab)

12. Oxen

    The KJV says the oxen “shook it”; the NET Bible reads “stumbled,” describing the movement that prompts Uzzah to take hold of the ark.

    2 Samuel 6:6 (opens a new tab) · NET Bible: 2 Samuel 6:6-7 (opens a new tab)

13. Shouting

    David and Israel bring up the ark with shouting and a trumpet; David then places it in the tent and blesses the people.

    Did you know?

    The celebration ends with David distributing food, including a cake of bread to every woman and man, before they return home.

    2 Samuel 6:15; 2 Samuel 6:17–19 (opens a new tab)

14. Three Months

    The ark stays in Obed-edom’s house for three months; the narrator says the LORD blesses him and his entire household.

    2 Samuel 6:11 (opens a new tab)

15. Uzzah

    Uzzah takes hold of the ark when the oxen shake it; the KJV says God strikes him and he dies there beside it.

    2 Samuel 6:6–7 (opens a new tab)