What did the Ark of the Covenant contain later in Israel's history?
Later in Israel’s history, the only things in the Ark of the Covenant were the tables of stone, including the Ten Commandments. The rod that budded and the sample of manna are no longer said to be inside it, and the exact time they were removed is presented as uncertain.
Les explains that the Ark of the Covenant initially contained three items: the tables of the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod that budded, and a sample of the manna. Later in Israel’s history, however, the only thing in the Ark was the tables of stone, including the Ten Commandments. He asks when the rod and manna stopped being inside it, says he has looked repeatedly and cannot find an answer, and raises a related question about when the Ark disappears from view. He notes it was present at the Babylonian invasion but finds no record that Nebuchadnezzar took it. Above the hollowed box was the mercy seat of pure beaten gold, representing the area of the Holy God Himself, not Christ in His humanity.