The ark of the covenant was a wooden chest overlaid with gold on the inside and outside and it had two winged cherubim on top (see Exodus 25:10–22; Psalm 99:1). It was a visible sign of the holy presence of the Lord whose real throne was on high above the heavens.1
4 So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.