At the beginning of his reign; King David removed the Ark from Kirjath-jearim amid great rejoicing. On the way to Zion; Uzzah; one of the drivers of the cart whereon the Ark was carried; put out his hand to steady the Ark; and was smitten by God for touching it. David; in fear; carried the Ark aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite; instead of carrying it on to Zion; and there it stayed three months (2 Samuel 6:1-11; 1 Chronicles 13:1-13).

On hearing that God had blessed Obed-edom because of the presence of the Ark in his house; David had the Ark brought to Zion by the Levites; while he himself; 'girded with a linen ephod'; 'danced before the Lord with all his might' and in the sight of all the public gathered in Jerusalem. In Zion; David put the Ark in the tabernacle he had prepared for it; offered sacrifices; distributed food; and blessed the people and his own household (2 Sam. 6:17-20; 1 Chron. 16:1-3; 2 Chron. 1:4).