Israel carried the Ark of the Covenant into battle against the Philistines as though it were a lucky object — and lost it, along with thirty thousand men and the priesthood of Eli. 1 Samuel 4:1–11

This is what happens when the symbol of God’s presence is trusted instead of God Himself. The Ark went into Philistine hands and caused them nothing but trouble, and they sent it back. But Israel had learned that the covenant is not magic. It would be twenty years before the Ark came home, and David who finally brought it to Jerusalem.