When the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again.
Perhaps the elders of Israel remembered that in Joshua’s conquest of Jericho, the ark played a very important and visible part in the victory (Joshua 6:2-20). Nevertheless, back then the people trusted in Yahweh, not in the ark as a talisman (good luck charm). The custom of taking idols into battle so their gods would deliver them was common among ancient warriors (cf. 2 Samuel 5:21; 1 Chronicles 14:12). Obviously the Israelites were wrong in thinking that the presence of the ark would guarantee success.