# for the ark of the covenant of God ... was serving before the ark in those days

This is background information that the author inserted to help the reader understand how the people asked Yahweh for an answer. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

# was there in those days

"was at Bethel in those days"

# was serving before the ark

The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. AT: "was serving as priest before the ark" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# Attack

The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. AT: "Attack the army of Benjamin" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])