1. David brought together thirty thousand of Israel's best soldiers and
2. led them to Baalah in Judah, which was also called Kiriath-Jearim. They were going there to get the sacred chest and bring it back to Jerusalem. The throne of the Lord All-Powerful is above the winged creatures on top of this chest, and he is worshipped there.
3. They put the sacred chest on a new ox cart and started bringing it down the hill from Abinadab's house. Abinadab's sons Uzzah and Ahio were guiding the ox cart,
4. with Ahio walking in front of it.
5. Some of the people of Israel were playing music on small harps and other stringed instruments, and on tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. David and the others were happy, and they danced for the Lord with all their might.
6. But when they came to Nacon's threshing floor, the oxen stumbled, so Uzzah reached out and took hold of the sacred chest.
7. The Lord God was very angry with Uzzah for doing this, and he killed Uzzah there beside the chest.
8. David got angry with God for killing Uzzah. He named that place “Bursting Out Against Uzzah”, and that's what it's still called.
9. David was afraid of the Lord and thought, “Should I really take the sacred chest to my city?”
10. He decided not to take it there. Instead, he turned off the road and took it to the home of Obed-Edom, who was from Gath.