The ark of God or ark of the covenant was a small wooden chest overlaid with gold on the inside and the outside, with two cherubim figures on top. It was the most holy physical possession of Israel since it represented the presence of God among his people. The ark contained three symbols of Israel’s relationship with the Lord: (1) the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, (2) Aaron’s high priest rod, and (3) a jar of manna. After it was made, no one was allowed to see or touch the ark, not even the high priest. When carried, it was meant to be covered and transported on special poles (see Exodus 25:10–22; Numbers 4:4–20; Leviticus 16:2–3, Leviticus 16:13–14; Numbers 4:4–20).
2 Et David, avec tout le peuple qui était auprès de lui, se mit en marche depuis Baalé-Juda, pour faire monter de là l'arche de Dieu, devant laquelle est invoqué le nom de l'Eternel des armées qui réside entre les chérubins au-dessus de l'arche.