Again the procession halted. A company clad in holy vestments was approaching. "And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God." The followers of David looked upon this as a happy omen. The presence of that sacred symbol was to them a pledge of their deliverance and ultimate victory. It would inspire the people with courage to rally to the king. Its absence from Jerusalem would bring terror to the adherents of Absalom.

Processionen standsede atter. Nogle mænd, som var iført hellige klæder, kom hen imod dem. "Også Zadok og Ebjatar, som bar Guds pagts ark, kom til stede." Davids tilhængere anså dette for at være et lykkeligt varsel. De betragtede arkens tilstedeværelse som en garanti for, at de ville blive reddet og sejre til sidst. Den ville give folket mod til at samles om kongen, og Absaloms tilhængere ville blive slået med rædsel, når de opdagede, at arken ikke var i Jerusalem.