While at Mount Sinai Moses was given instructions for building the Ark of the Covenant. The top of the ark was the mercy seat before which the high priest sprinkled blood on the day of Atonement. Two cherubim adorned the top of the ark. It was housed in the inner sanctuary of the tabernacle. The people carried the ark with them during the wilderness wanderings. Eventually it was brought into the land of Canaan where it rested at Shiloh for a time. The ark was carried into battle by the Israelites.  The Philistines captured it, but when a plague broke out in their camp, they sent it back by ox cart to the Israelites.  David brought the ark to Jerusalem and Solomon eventually placed it in the Temple he built. The ark was apparently destroyed when the Babylonians destroyed the Temple in 587 BC.

Exod 25:10-22 - Description of the ark
1 Sam 4-6 - Philistines capture the ark
2 Sam 6 - David brings the ark to Jerusalem
2 Kgs 8:4 - Ark placed in Solomon's Temple