Cherubim are powerful spiritual beings who guard access to the presence of the Lord (see Genesis 3:24; 1 Kings 6:23–28; 2 Chronicles 3:14).1 There were two cherubim figures on top of the ark (Exodus 37:7–9). The Lord had revealed to Moses that he would meet with him above the cover between the two cherubim (Exodus 25:22). This place is where God’s presence was most strongly and intimately to be found. Indeed, when Moses entered the Tent of Meeting after its construction, he heard the voice of the Lord speaking from between the two cherubim on top of the ark (Numbers 7:89). In later poetry, the Lord is identified as the one enthroned between the cherubim (Psalm 80:1; Psalm 99:1), a reference not only to his intimate presence in connection with the ark but also to his rule as King of heaven and earth.
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.