The Hebrew word translated For shows that the purpose of the cherubim in the Most Holy Place was to cover the ark, and this should be clear in translation. Good News Translation omits this connector and the repetition in the verse.

The cherubim spread out their wings over the place of the ark: The construction of the cherubim is told in 1 Kgs 6.23-28. The statement that the wings were spread over the place of the ark should not be understood to mean that the ark was not present. It may be more natural in many languages to say simply “over the ark” as the rest of the verse indicates.

Its poles: The Hebrew noun rendered poles often refers to a pole or beam, without specifying what it is made of. The instructions in Exo 25.10-22, however, state that the poles for carrying the ark are, like the ark itself, to be made of acacia wood. The meaning of this expression may be stated in some languages as “the poles that the priests used to carry it [the ark].” The poles were to remain in the rings of the ark and not removed.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .