the ark, with its poles, the atonement lid, and the special curtain that conceals it;

the ark of the testimony and its poles, and the atonement lid;

he ¹  commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the Lord’s covenant,

“Instruct the priests carrying the ark of the covenantal laws ¹  to come up from the Jordan.”

She said, “The glory has departed from Israel, because the ark of God has been captured.”

Now the Philistines had captured the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod.

David and all Israel ¹  were bringing up the ark of the Lord, shouting and blowing trumpets. ² 

So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and remained there.

When all Israel’s elders had arrived, the priests lifted the ark.

When all Israel’s elders had arrived, the Levites lifted the ark.

Ascend, O Lord, to your resting place, you and the ark of your strength!

Make a roof for the ark and finish it, leaving 18 inches ¹  from the top. ²  Put a door in the side of the ark, and make lower, middle, and upper decks.

Joshua told the priests, “Pick up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they picked up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.

When the ones carrying the ark reached the Jordan and the feet of the priests carrying the ark touched the surface ¹  of the water – (the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest time) ²  –

So Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and instructed them, “Pick up the ark of the covenant, and seven priests must carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark of the Lord.”

The seven priests carrying the seven rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord marched along blowing their horns. Armed troops marched ahead of them, while the rear guard followed along behind the ark of the Lord blowing rams’ horns.

Then the people ¹  of Kiriath Jearim came and took the ark of the Lord; they brought it to the house of Abinadab located on the hill. They consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord.

Zadok and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. When they positioned the ark of God, Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving ¹  the city.

David and all Israel went up to Baalah (that is, Kiriath Jearim) in Judah to bring up from there the ark of God the Lord, who sits enthroned between the cherubim – the ark that is called by his name. ¹ 

Then David said, “Only the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the Lord chose them to carry the ark of the Lord and to serve before him perpetually.