1. David talked with all the officers of his army. He talked with the commanders of 100 men and the commanders of 1,000 men.
2. Then David called the people of Israel together. He said, “If you think it is a good idea, and if it is what the Lord our God wants, let’s send a message. Let’s send it to our fellow Israelites in all the areas of Israel. Let’s also send it to the priests and Levites living with them in their towns and pastures. Tell them to come and join us.
3. Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of our God back to us. We did not use it to ask God for help while Saul was king.”
4. So all the people agreed with David. They all thought it was the right thing to do.
5. So David gathered all the Israelites from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath. They were to bring the Ark of the Covenant of God back from the town of Kiriath Jearim.
6. David and all the Israelites with him went to Baalah of Judah. (Baalah is another name for Kiriath Jearim.) They went there to get the Ark of the Covenant of God the Lord. His throne is between the golden creatures with wings on the Ark of the Covenant. It is called by the Lord’s name.