14:18 ark of God. The Septuagint (early Greek translation of the Old Testament) reads “ephod” and is probably correct since the ephod was clearly present in Gibeah (v. 3 note) and was used to inquire of the Lord (2:28 note). The Hebrew reading, “ark,” is doubtful because the ark was in Kiriath-jearim at this time (7:1, 2); the ark is never said to have been used as a means of divine omen; and to touch the ark (cf. v. 19) resulted in death (6:19; 2 Sam. 6:6, 7).