Shemaiah

Shemaiah was one of Obed-Edom's eight sons during the reign of King David. When David asked the family to shelter the Ark of the Covenant, Shemaiah reacted with anger and fear because a man had recently died after touching it. He and his brothers cut off contact with their parents rather than share the perceived danger. As the Ark remained in the household, however, remarkable blessings followed. The garden produced a bumper crop without rain, and Shemaiah's dangerously ill son Othni recovered at the very hour Obed-Edom prayed. Seeing these changes moved Shemaiah to return, apologize, and worship with his family. He later joined them in serving when David appointed Obed-Edom as the Ark's gatekeeper.