Study Desk

There were 212 of those who were chosen to watch the gates. Their names were written down by families in their towns. David and Samuel the man of God chose them for places of trust.

For the four head men who were gate-keepers were Levites and were in a place of trust. They watched over the rooms and the riches in the house of God.

They stayed during the night around the house of God. For their duty was to watch. And they were to open the house every morning.

In times past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel. The Lord your God said to you, ‘You will be the shepherd of My people Israel. And you will be king over My people Israel.'"

and said, "Far be it from me that I should do this before my God. Should I drink the blood of these men? For they put their lives in danger to bring it." So he would not drink it. These things are what the three powerful soldiers did.

David went out to meet them. He said to them, "If you come in peace to help me, my heart will be joined to you. But if you have come to hand me over to those who hate me, may the God of our fathers see it and speak strong words to you. For I have done nothing wrong."

Then the Spirit came upon Amasai the captain of the thirty. Amasai said, "We are yours, O David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to those who help you! For your God helps you!" Then David received them and made them captains of his soldiers.

Each day men came to David to help him. They came until there was a great army, like the army of God.

David spoke to all the people of Israel. He said, "If you think it is good, and if it is from the Lord our God, let us send word to our brothers who are staying in all the land of Israel. Let us send word to the religious leaders and Levites who are with them in their cities that have fields. And let us ask them to meet with us.

Let us bring the special box with the Law of our God to us. For we did not think of it in the days of Saul."

So David gathered all Israel together, from the Shihor of Egypt to the gate of Hamath, to bring the special box of God from Kiriath-jearim.

David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim which belongs to Judah. They went to bring the special box of God. It is called by the name of the Lord Who sits on His throne above the cherubim.

They carried the special box of God on a new wagon from the house of Abinadab. And Uzza and Ahio drove the wagon.

David and all Israel were showing their joy before God with all their strength. They were singing and playing harps and timbrels, and blowing horns.

When they came to the grain-floor of Chidon, the cattle pulling the wagon tripped. And Uzza put out his hand to hold the special box of God.

Then the anger of the Lord burned against Uzza. So He killed him because Uzza had put out his hand to the special box of God, so before God he died.

David was afraid of God that day, saying, "How can I bring the special box of God home to me?"

So David did not take the special box of God with him to the city of David. He took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite.

The special box of God stayed with the family of Obed-edom in his house for three months. The Lord brought good to Obed-edom's family and all that he had.

David asked God, "Should I go fight against the Philistines? Will You give them to me?" And the Lord said to him, "Go, for I will give them to you."