The prophetic reading is selected from the Book of Second Samuel. The parallel episode is the death of Uzzah, who attempted to secure the Ark as it was shaking. King David wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant from Baalei-Yehuda to the new capital city of Jerusalem. A musical procession of harps, timbrels, and cymbals escorted the Ark as it made its way into the Judean hills. Sadly, Uzzah was killed for violating the holiness of the Ark.

David danced ecstatically before the Ark upon its arrival in Jerusalem. Michal, David's wife, criticized her husband's fervor and devotion. David had married Michal, King Saul's daughter, to secure his position as king of Israel. Unfortunately, there was to be no heir to this royal marriage.

Although David wanted to build the Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant, the prophet Nathan informed David that it would not be his task. Nathan assured King David that his heir would be the one to build a home for the Ark.