King Josiah Ark of Covenant
In 2 Chronicles 35:3, King Josiah ordered the Levites to return the Ark of the Covenant to the
Temple in Jerusalem, specifically instructing them not to carry it on their shoulders anymore. The text suggests the Ark had been removed from the Holy of Holies during a period of neglect or apostasy under previous kings.
Key details regarding this event include:
- Context: The command was part of Josiah’s sweeping religious reforms and preparations for a massive Passover celebration.
- Location: The Ark was returned to the Temple built by Solomon.
- Last Mention: This is the final mention of the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament.
- Previous Locations: While it had been kept at Kiriath Jearim in the distant past (1 Samuel 7), by Josiah's time, it had likely been removed from its proper place in the Temple.