Obed-Edom

Obed-Edom (oh'bed ee'duhm) Hebrew: "Worshiper of Edom" / servant of Edom.

1. "The Gittite" (probably so called because he was a native of Gath in Judah), a Levite of the family of the Korhites,.^[1] This could explain David's willingness to entrust a foreigner with the custody of the ark of the covenant.^[2] For when David was bringing up the ark "from the house of Abinadab, that was in Gibeah" (probably some hill or eminence near Kiriath-Jearim), and had reached Nachon's threshing-floor, he became afraid after Uzzah, one of the two oxcart drivers transporting the ark, touched it to prevent it from falling, and immediately was struck dead. So David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom.^[3] There it remained for three months^[4] and was to him and his house the occasion of great blessing. David then removed it with great rejoicing to Jerusalem, and set it in the midst of the Tabernacle he had pitched for it.
2. A Merarite Levite, a temple porter, who with his eight sons guarded the southern gate.^[5]
3. Became one of the "singers with instruments" appointed by the Levites on David's instruction,1Chronicles 15:16,21.
4. One who had charge of the Temple in Jerusalem's treasures.^[6]

References

1. 1 Chronicles 26:1; 26:4-8
2. 1 Chronicles 15:18
3. 2 Samuel 6:1-12
4. 2 Samuel 6:11, 1 Chronicles 13:14
5. 1 Chronicles 15:18; 15:21; 26:4; 26:8; 26:15
6. 2 Chronicles 25:24

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Easton, Matthew George (1897). "^{article name needed}". Easton's Bible Dictionary (New and revised ed.). T. Nelson and Sons.