Ark of Covenant History

 After being returned by the Philistines (who inhabited the coastal plain of what is now the southern part of Israel and the Gaza Strip)

, the Ark of the Covenant was first placed on a large stone in Beth-shemesh. 

Following a plague that struck the men of Beth-shemesh for looking inside the Ark, it was moved to Kiriath-jearim. 

Here is the sequence of locations after leaving Philistine territory:

• Beth-shemesh: The initial resting place upon return, in the field of Joshua.
• Kiriath-jearim: The Ark was moved to the house of Abinadab on the hill, where it stayed for approximately 20 years.
• House of Obed-edom: King David briefly placed the Ark here for three months after a failed initial attempt to bring it to Jerusalem resulted in the death of Uzzah.
• Jerusalem (Mount Zion): David finally brought the Ark to a tent he had prepared for it in Jerusalem.
• Solomon's Temple: It was eventually placed in the Holy of Holies in the Temple built by Solomon. 

Long-term Theories on Final Location:

• Axum, Ethiopia: The Ethiopian Orthodox Church claims it is kept in the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion.
• Temple Mount, Jerusalem: Many rabbis believe it was hidden in a cave under the Temple Mount before the Babylonian destruction.
• Mount Nebo: The Book of 2 Maccabees suggests the prophet Jeremiah hid the Ark in a cave on Mount Nebo (modern-day Jordan)
• 
  

  The Ark of the Covenant's location is unknown, with theories placing it in Ethiopia (Ethiopian Orthodox Church claims possession in Aksum), hidden beneath Jerusalem's Temple Mount, near Mount Nebo, or in other secret locations, though most scholars believe it was destroyed or lost after the Babylonian conquest in 586 BCE. 
  Leading Theories & Claims:
  • Ethiopia: 

    The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Churchclaims to hold the Ark in Aksum, protected by a single monk, though some believe it's a replica. 
  • Jerusalem/Temple Mount: 

    Some believe it's hidden in tunnels beneath the Temple Mount, possibly placed there by King Josiah before the Babylonian invasion, but exploration is restricted. 
  Mount Nebo/Jordan River: 
  2 Maccabees suggests the prophet Jeremiah hid the Ark in a cave near Mount Nebo. 
  Other Theories: 
  Some propose it's in Ireland (Hill of Tara), Egypt, or even in the heavenly realm. 
  Historical Context:
  The Ark was last mentioned in the Bible in 2 Chronicles 35:3, when King Josiah ordered it returned to the Temple. 
  It disappeared from historical records after the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. 
  Conclusion: 
  Despite numerous claims and theories, there is no definitive proof of the Ark's current location, and its disappearance remains one of history's great mysteries.
• 
  
• 
  
• .