23. All the people were crying loudly. Then King David crossed over Kidron Brook, and all the people went out to the desert.
24. Zadok and all the Levites with him were carrying the Box of God’s Agreement. They set down God’s Holy Box, and Abiathar said prayers until all the people had left Jerusalem.
25. King David said to Zadok, “Take God’s Holy Box back to Jerusalem. If the Lord is pleased with me, he will bring me back and let me see Jerusalem and his Temple.
26. But if he says he is not pleased with me, let him do whatever he wants to me.”
27. The king said to Zadok the priest, “You are a seer. Go back to the city in peace. Take your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
28. I will be waiting near the places where people cross the river into the desert. I will wait there until I hear from you.”
29. So Zadok and Abiathar took God’s Holy Box back to Jerusalem and stayed there.