OBEDEDOM («servant of [the god] Edom»). — A native of Geth (see), a resident near Jerusalem and perhaps a «bodyguard» of David (2 Sam. 15:18). He must have been a righteous man, since David decided to place the ark of the covenant in his house after the misfortune that befell Oza (see) during its transport from Cariathiarim to Jerusalem. In fact, only three months were needed to realize that God was blessing that house. Then, encouraged, David brought the ark into his own palace (ibid. 6:6–15; 1 Chron. 13:12–14).
He must not be confused with a contemporary Levite, also named O., of the family of Korah, a citharist and guardian in the tabernacle erected by David (1 Chron. 15:18, 21; 16:5); his descendants continued in office even in the time of Amaziah (2 Chron. 25:24).
A third O. (whom some identify with the previous one), a Levite of the family of Merari and likewise a guardian in David’s time, is named in 1 Chron. 16:38.