ark of the covenant of the LORD.”(637) And so with the Philistines, he said, “And put the jewels of gold, which ye return for a trespass-offering, in a coffer by the side thereof.”(638) R. Judah, the son of Lachish, said, “there were two arks, one which abode in the encampment, and one which went forth with them to war, and in it were the broken tables,” as is said, “And the ark of the covenant of the Lord went.”(639) But the one with them in the encampment contained the roll of the Law. That is what is written, “Nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord; and Moses departed not out of the camp.”(640) And so he said with regard to Saul, “And Saul said unto Ahiah, bring hither the ark of God.”(641) And so of Uriah it is said, “The ark, and Israel, and Judah abide in tents.”(642) But the ark of the covenant went not forth to war, save once only, as is said, “So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts.”(643) R. Judah said, “there was nothing in the ark save the tables of the covenant only,” as is said, “There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone.”(644) Chapter VII “How did Bezaleel make the ark?” “He made three boxes, two of gold and one of wood. He put the wooden one inside the golden one, and the golden one inside the wooden one, and covered the upper edge with gold; as is said, ‘And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold: within and without shalt thou overlay it.’ ”(645) “And what is the meaning of saying, ‘thou shalt overlay it’?” “It means that he covered the upper edges (with) gold.” The golden mercy-seat was placed above upon it; as is said, “And thou shalt put the mercy-seat above upon the ark.”(646) And four rings of gold were fastened in it, two on the north and two on the south, and in them the staves were put, and they were never moved from thence; as is said, “The staves shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it.”(647) Even though Solomon made the pattern of all the vessels, the pattern of the ark he did not make; as is said, “And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.”(648) The ark was placed in the midst of the House, and divided the House ten cubits by ten cubits. And two cherubs of gold stood on their feet on the ground. From the wall to the cherub there were five cubits, and from the cherub to the wall five cubits. “Where is it mentioned, that as soon as the priests brought in the ark the staves were drawn out, and they reached to the vail, and they touched the entrance?” As is said, “And they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle.”(649) For that reason the doors of the Holy of Holies were never closed. “And they were not seen without.”(650) It is not possible to say that they were not seen, since it was already said “they were seen.” Neither is it possible to say that they were seen, since it is already