The poles are to remain in the rings of the ark; they must not be removed.
The ark is the chest where God's law, written by His finger, was to rest in the holiest place. Mark how careful preservation of those tables teaches us to treasure God's word, hiding it deep in our hearts as the ark was hidden in the Holy of Holies. Divine Providence guards His revelation in the church as faithfully as ever.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 25:10-22
And thou shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give thee. Which was the principal use of it: by the "testimony" is meant the law, written on two tables of stone; so called, because it was a testification of the mind and will of God, what he would have done or omitted; and as the Israelites had declared their approbation of it...
staves shall be in the rings of the ark--that is, always remain in the rings, whether the ark be at rest or in motion.