http://www.ou.org/torah/tt/5765/bamidbar65/mikdash.htm
...Biblical commentator David Kimchi (the Radak) quoting a non-extant Midrash writes on II Divrei HaYamim 35:3, “Our rabbis of blessed memory said, ‘that (Josiah, the last righteous King of Judah) gave instructions to hide the ark so it would not be revealed (and desecrated) at the time of the (approaching) exile… At the time when Solomon built the First Temple, he (understood through the Holy Spirit that one day) it was going to be destroyed and therefore he constructed a place to hide the ark in winding, hidden tunnels deep below the surface of the earth. And the stone upon which the ark rested covered the opening of that tunnel. Josiah hid the ark there as it is said, “And he said to the Leviyim that taught all Israel… ‘Put the Holy Ark in the House that Solomon King of Israel did build…’” In Bayit Sheini, both the Aron and King Solomon’s fabulous K’ruvim were missing; Kodesh HaKodashim was completely empty...
Thank you much!
What of the Ethiopians that swear they have the Ark?y surmise is since some high ranking folks in Israel have claimed to have seen( in this day) or know where it is, I think we’ll all be surprised when it syurfices. The Midrash might kbnow, so might those Ethiopians unless it’s a false flash they have enough fire power to start a small war oer yon mountains. Josiah indeed was a good King so who know.I do bnelieve the ark orf theZCVovenant exist, it’s up to God( blessed be He) in His timinmg to reveal this again to mankind.