The origin of the veneration of the ark is due to the fact that Moses consented to put relics alongside the law and thereby form a combined war altar and religious shrine to avoid trying to displace too quickly the fetishes of his followers. [1] King David gained ark after defeat of Philistines, brought it to Jerusalem, and made the worship of Yahweh official for his kingdom. [2] In each synagoge there is a chest containing sacred writings called the ark or Heikhal. [3]