The covering or lid of the Ark was the Mercy Seat with
two cherubim on each end, all beaten out of one piece
of pure gold.
The cherubim were facing each other and their
wings overshadowed the Mercy Seat.
It was here, from above the Mercy Seat that God spoke to Moses. This was
where the blood of the slain bullock was sprinkled as atonement for the sin of
the nation, once a year on the Day of Atonement.