The Philistines thought that this ark was the Israelites’ god. They knew not that the living God, who created the heavens and the earth, and gave his law upon Sinai, sent prosperity and adversity according to the obedience or transgression of his law contained in the sacred chest. {1SP 403.2}

Filistrene mente at denne ark var israelitternes gud. De vidste ikke at den levende Gud, som skabte himlene og jorden, og gav sin lov på Sinai, sendte velstand og ulykke efter lydighed eller overtrædelse af hans lov, som var inde i den hellige kiste.