David summoned thirty thousand of the leading men of Israel, for it was his purpose to make the occasion a scene of great rejoicing and imposing display. The people responded gladly to the call. The high priest, with his brethren in sacred office and the princes and leading men of the tribes, assembled at Kirjath-jearim. David was aglow with holy zeal. The ark was brought out from the house of Abinadab and placed upon a new cart drawn by oxen, while two of the sons of Abinadab attended it.

David samlede 30.000 ledende israelitter, for det var hans hensigt at flytte arken under stor jubel og pragtudfoldelse. Folket efterkom med glæde hans opfordring, og ypperstepræsten og hans embedsbrødre samt fyrsterne og de ledende mænd fra Israels stammer samledes i Kirjat-Jearim. David var opfyldt af hellig begejstring. Arken blev båret ud af Abinadabs hus og anbragt på en ny vogn, som blev trukket af okser, og to af Abinadabs sønner ledsagede den.