God would teach his people that, while his ark was a terror and death to those who transgressed his commandments contained in it, it was also a blessing and strength to those who were obedient to his commandments. When David heard that the house of Obed-edom was greatly blessed, and that all that he had prospered, because of the ark of God, he was very anxious to bring it to his own city. But before David ventured to move the sacred ark, he sanctified himself to God, and also commanded that all the men highest in authority in the kingdom should keep themselves from all worldly business, and everything which would distract their minds from sacred devotion. Thus should they sanctify themselves for the purpose of conducting the sacred ark to the city of David. “So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.” {1SP 410.3}

Gud ville lære sit folk at når hans ark var en rædsel og død for dem der overtrådte hans bud, der stod inden i, var den også en velsignelse og styrke for dem som var lydige mod hans bud. Da Davidhørte at Obed-Edoms hus var blevet velsignet stort, og at alle som han havde givet velstand, på grund af Guds ark, var han meget ivrig efter at bringe den til hans egen by. Men før David turde bevæge den hellige ark, helligede han sig selv til Gud, og befalede også alle mænd med den højeste myndighed i riget at holde sig selv fra al verdslig forretning, og alt som vil aflede sindene fra hellig tilbedelse. Således skulle de hellige sig selv for at lede den hellige ark til Davids by. "David gik hen og lod under festglæde Guds ark bringe op fra Obed Edoms hus Til Davidsbyen. Og da de, som bar Herrens ark, havde gået seks skridt, ofrede han en okse og en fedekalv."