A box in which the Ten Commandments were kept to be like a binding oath agreement between individuals and God. A portable wooden chest overlaid with gold. The ark was made of acacia wood, rings were fitted and staves for carrying it. It was covered with a golden lid called the mercy seat. The chest was some 3 ft 9 inch long, 27 inch broad and deep. In the Hebrew Bible / Old Testaments it is described as having many successive functions – containing the two tablets of the Decalogue, serving as a symbol of the divine presence guiding Israel, and acting as a safeguard in war. It was constructed under Moses, taken into battle in David's time, housed in the Temple under Solomon, but is now lost. Torah scrolls are still kept in containers called 'Arks' in Jewish synagogues.
The Ark served as a focus for the presence of God and was installed in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and Temple. It served as a channel for God's power. For 14 years, the Ark was stationed in the Tabernacle while it remained at the site of Gilgal, and afterwards it spent many years at Shiloh. Its power became legendary. The foes of the Israelites were well aware of its reputation and feared it. But one time, the Philistines were able to capture the Ark, and they thought it was a good thing.
After the Philistines captured the Ark, they brought it back to their city of Ashdod and set it down in the Temple of their chief God, Dagon. Immediately, strange things began to happen. The statue of Dagon was found tipped over face first not once but twice and the second time it was severely damaged. The people of Ashdod became afflicted with “tumors” and blamed it on the Ark. They decided to send it away to another Philistine city, Gath, whereupon its unfortunately citizens were likewise stricken. It was regarded almost as a fetish.
After David established his capital in Jerusalem, he decided to have the Ark moved there. It was on this journey that the incident with Uzzah occurred. David was furious about what had happened to the man, and parked the Ark in a house along the route for three months.
Eventually the trip to Jerusalem continued. David became so excited when the Ark finally entered his city that he danced wildly. The Ark was set down in a tent, and when Solomon's Temple was completed, it was transferred to the Holy of Holies. The Ark was lost when the Temple of Solomon was destroyed. Despite various theories and attempts to find this very special object, the Ark of the Covenant has not been located.
Remember: Fanatic Jews in Israel think the Ark lies under the dome of the rock. The ultra orthodox Jews have reason to demolish the mosque for purer land but this can be the vital start.