David's Jerusalem: Part 2

Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant, representation of the presence of God, is one of the five points where Jerusalem derives its sacredness. Along with God choosing Jerusalem, creation and the sabbath, Mt. Moriah, and Melchizedek's Salem. The Ark of the Covenant is notable in that it is central to all conquest stories, but once in the Temple it was not mentioned after that, because the Temple now became the central of importance. Keeping with this idea once the temple was destroyed the Ark once again became the center of importance. Biblical references to the ark of the Covenant lie in the Book of Exodus and Samuels. 

Lamassu from Khorsbad

 In relation to the Ark of the Covenant, a cherub is often found on top of an Ark in resemblance of protection. Often misinterpreted as baby angels, they were more along the lines of Babylonian Lamassus, a human headed winged lion. They are protectors and guardians, such as put in front of gates and entrance ways throughout the Ancient Near East consistent with Biblical text. In biblical texts these protectors can be relayed back to the story of the protection of the  gates of the Garden of Eden.