All Israel longed for God’s presence to transform them, so they waited, lamenting, until their hearts returned fully to the Lord.
Samuel was still a relatively new leader in Israel when the ark of the covenant had been captured by the Philistines and was then returned to God’s people. After it arrived, 1 Samuel 7:2 notes, “the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim” for quite some time. In the words of the it says: From the day that the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim, the time was long, for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. (v.2) The fact that the ark stayed in Kiriath-jearim for twenty years underscores the lengthy spiritual waiting period for Israel. Although the symbol of God’s presence was near them once more, the nation still struggled with idolatry and rebellious behavior. Yet their hearts began to yearn for true fellowship with the Lord.
The location, Kiriath-jearim, was a city in the tribal territory of Judah, to the west of Jerusalem. It served here as a provisional resting place for the ark, apart from the tabernacle, which had been set up elsewhere. In having the ark remain in this town for so long, Israel was faced with the reality that their relationship with God was not defined merely by liturgical objects or ceremonies. The people needed to repent and come under His authority, rather than only celebrate the ark’s return.
Over these two decades, the verse tells us that “all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.” This lamenting reveals how the nation’s heart was slowly turning back to Him. Their longing and sorrow over the distance they had placed between themselves and God was being transformed into a desire for obedience and renewed covenant faithfulness. It paved the way for Samuel’s effective leadership and the subsequent spiritual restoration.
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1 Samuel 7:2 meaning
Samuel was still a relatively new leader in Israel when the ark of the covenant had been captured by the Philistines and was then returned to God’s people. After it arrived, 1 Samuel 7:2 notes, “the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim” for quite some time. In the words of the it says: From the day that the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim, the time was long, for it was twenty years; and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. (v.2) The fact that the ark stayed in Kiriath-jearim for twenty years underscores the lengthy spiritual waiting period for Israel. Although the symbol of God’s presence was near them once more, the nation still struggled with idolatry and rebellious behavior. Yet their hearts began to yearn for true fellowship with the Lord.
The location, Kiriath-jearim, was a city in the tribal territory of Judah, to the west of Jerusalem. It served here as a provisional resting place for the ark, apart from the tabernacle, which had been set up elsewhere. In having the ark remain in this town for so long, Israel was faced with the reality that their relationship with God was not defined merely by liturgical objects or ceremonies. The people needed to repent and come under His authority, rather than only celebrate the ark’s return.
Over these two decades, the verse tells us that “all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.” This lamenting reveals how the nation’s heart was slowly turning back to Him. Their longing and sorrow over the distance they had placed between themselves and God was being transformed into a desire for obedience and renewed covenant faithfulness. It paved the way for Samuel’s effective leadership and the subsequent spiritual restoration.