The answer is: Beersheba

1 Sam 5

When the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines after the battle at Aphek, it started quite the journey, showing up in a few key Philistine cities like Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron found in 1 Samuel 5. What’s fascinating is that the Ark never made it to Beersheba, a city significant in Israel's history and often associated with God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Located in southern Israel, Beersheba holds special sentimental value as it’s known as the “well of the oath.” It was here that God appeared to Isaac and reaffirmed the blessings promised to Abraham. Imagine the tales those wells could tell about divine encounters! As the Ark navigated through the Philistine lands, it was met with calamities and afflictions, demonstrating that God's presence wasn't something easily forgotten—an interesting theological thread running through these narratives.

The movement of the Ark also highlights the dynamic contender of presence and power; the Philistines thought they could annex Israel's God along with the Ark, but soon discovered they were in way over their heads. Each city along the journey faced dire consequences, ultimately leading to the Ark's return to Israel, signaling that God is indeed hard to box up! So while Beersheba escaped the turmoil of that period, it stood as a refuge of sorts—an unchecked well of divine promises amid disruption.