II Samuel 6:1-7:17
1. David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand.
2. David arose, and went with all the people who were with him, from Baale Judah, to bring up from there G-d’s ark, which is called by the Name, even the name of יהוה of Armies who sits above the cherubim.
3. They set G-d’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house that was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart.
4. They brought it out of Abinadab’s house, which was in the hill, with God’s ark; and Ahio went before the ark.
5. David and all the house of Israel played before יהוה with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with castanets, and with cymbals.
6. When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for G-d’s ark, and took hold of it; for the cattle stumbled.
7. יהוה’s anger burned against Uzzah; and G-d struck him there for his error; and he died there by God’s ark.
8. David was displeased, because יהוה had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah, to this day.
9. David was afraid of יהוה that day; and he said, “How could יהוה’s ark come to me?”
10. So David would not move יהוה’s ark to be with him in David’s city; but David carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house.
11. יהוה’s ark remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three months; and יהוה blessed Obed-Edom and all his house.
12. King David was told, “ יהוה has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that belongs to him, because of God’s ark.” So David went and brought up God’s ark from the house of Obed-Edom into David’s city with joy.
13. When those who bore יהוה’s ark had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.
14. David danced before יהוה with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod.
15. So David and all the house of Israel brought up יהוה’s ark with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16. As יהוה’s ark came into David’s city, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out through the window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before יהוה; and she despised him in her heart.
17. They brought in יהוה’s ark, and set it in its place, in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before יהוה.
18. When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of יהוה of Armies.
19. He gave to all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed, each to his own house.
20. Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the servants of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”
21. David said to Michal, “It was before יהוה, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of יהוה, over Israel. Therefore I will celebrate before יהוה.
22. I will be yet more vile than this, and will be base in my own sight. But of the servants of whom you have spoken, they will honor me.”
23. Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death.
Chapter 7
1. When the king lived in his house, and יהוה had given him rest from all his enemies all around,
2. the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but God’s ark dwells within curtains.”
3. Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart; for יהוה is with you.”
4. That same night, יהוה’s word came to Nathan, saying,
5. “Go and tell my servant David, ‘ יהוה says, “Should you build me a house for me to dwell in?
6. For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought the children of Israel up out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.
7. In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, did I say a word to any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of my people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’”’
8. Now therefore tell my servant David this, ‘ יהוה of Armies says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people, over Israel.
9. I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth.
10. I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not afflict them any more, as at the first,
11. and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover יהוה tells you that יהוה will make you a house.
12. When your days are fulfilled, and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
13. He will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14. I will be his father, and he will be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men;
15. but my loving kindness will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you.
16. Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.”’”
17. Nathan spoke to David all these words, and according to all this vision.