I Samuel 3-4

"And it happened as the ark ... came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout ..." (4:5). From the shouting, it sounded like "all Israel" respected the ark of the Lord. But Hophni and Phineaus were leading the charge against the Philistines. They were well-known sinners, priests who took advantage of people and despised God's ways. They tried to use God's power (the ark) without submitting to His commands. It didn't work.

Israel lost the ark. God's power is not magic, to be manipulated by anyone. He wanted Israel to obey and honor Him.