John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long , etc.] It could not be less than between forty and fifty years, for it remained here until the times of David, who removed it from hence after he was made king over all Israel, and when he had reigned over Judah seven years; and from the death of Eli to that time, which included the government of Samuel and Saul, it could not be less than what has been hinted: for it [was] twenty years ; not that this was all the time the ark was at Kirjathjearim, but it was so long there before it was much taken notice of, and sought unto, and the Lord by it; there was a great neglect of God, and his worship, which through the means of Samuel began to revive about this time, as it follows: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord ; became sensible of their evil doings, and repented of them, and sought the Lord with fasting, and prayer, and tears; bewailed their backslidings and revoltings from him, and cried after a departing God.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-4 - God will find a resting-place for his ark; if some thrust it from them the hearts of others shall be inclined to receive it. It is no ne thing for God's ark to be in a private house. Christ and his apostle preached from house to house, when they could not have public places Twenty years passed before the house of Israel cared for the want of the ark. During this time the prophet Samuel laboured to revive tru religion. The few words used are very expressive; and this was one of the most effectual revivals of religion which ever took place in Israel.
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 מיום3117 שׁבת3427 הארון727 בקרית יערים7157 וירבו7235 הימים3117 ויהיו1961 עשׂרים6242 שׁנה8141 וינהו5091 כל3605 בית1004 ישׂראל3478 אחרי310 יהוה׃3068
