14:18 ark of God. The ark at this time was in the house of Abinadab in Kirjath-Jearim. Saul was presumptuous in asking that it be brought to the army, since he must have known what happened to it when the Philistines captured it under similar circumstances in the days of Eli (I Samuel 4:11). Fortunately for him, this order was apparently not obeyed. It has also been noted that the Septuagint of this verse has the word “ephod” instead of “ark,” presumably in reference to I Samuel 14:3, which indicates that the priest Ahiah was wearing the ephod. The ephod contained the Urim and Thummim jewels, which are believed to have been consulted when trying to ascertain God’s will.