1 Samuel 7:2

KJV

And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, while {H3117} the ark {H727} abode {H3427} in Kirjathjearim {H7157}, that the time {H3117} was long {H7235}; for it was twenty {H6242} years {H8141}: and all the house {H1004} of Israel {H3478} lamented {H5091} after {H310} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

From the day that the ark arrived in Kiryat-Ye'arim a long time elapsed, twenty years; and all the people of Isra'el yearned for ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

And from that day a long time passed, twenty years in all, as the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim. And all the house of Israel mourned and sought after the LORD.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, from the day that the ark abode in Kiriath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Samuel 7:2 marks a pivotal twenty-year period in Israel's history, during which the Ark of the Covenant remained in the obscure town of Kirjathjearim. This prolonged absence from a central place of worship symbolized a national spiritual void and distress, a direct consequence of Israel's earlier disobedience and defeat. The verse culminates in a profound collective awakening, as "all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD," signifying a deep sorrow for their spiritual distance and a heartfelt yearning for God's restored presence and favor. This lament serves as a crucial turning point, setting the stage for national repentance and the subsequent spiritual revival under Samuel's leadership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides a crucial temporal marker and emotional pivot following the traumatic events of [1 Samuel 4](/1_samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4 - The Capture of the Ark") through [1 Samuel 6](/1_samuel/6 "1 Samuel 6 - The Ark's Return"). The narrative has detailed Israel's devastating defeat by the Philistines, the capture of the Ark of the Covenant, and the subsequent divine plagues inflicted upon the Philistines. Upon its return, the Ark was sent to Beth-shemesh, where the people's irreverence led to a divine judgment, prompting its relocation to Kirjathjearim. [1 Samuel 6:21](/1_samuel/6-21 "1 Samuel 6:21 - The Ark Sent to Kirjathjearim") explicitly states the Ark's arrival there. [1 Samuel 7:2](/1_samuel/7-2 "1 Samuel 7:2 - The Ark in Kirjathjearim for Twenty Years") bridges the gap between these chaotic events and the emergence of Samuel as a national leader, prophet, and judge, who would call Israel to repentance and lead them to victory over the Philistines. It highlights a period of stagnation and spiritual decline, emphasizing the need for divine intervention and human responsiveness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in [1 Samuel](/1_samuel "1 Samuel - The Rise of Samuel and Saul") falls within the turbulent era of the Judges, characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance. Israel lacked strong, centralized leadership, and the Philistines, a powerful seafaring people, posed a constant military threat, dominating the coastal plains and encroaching upon Israelite territory. The Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object in Israel, symbolized God's manifest presence among His people ([Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "Exodus 25:22 - The Mercy Seat and God's Presence")). Its capture and prolonged absence from a central sanctuary (like Shiloh, which was likely destroyed around this time) signified a profound spiritual crisis and a perceived withdrawal of God's favor. Kirjathjearim, meaning "City of Forests," was a Gibeonite town, not a primary cultic center, further underscoring the Ark's marginalized status during these two decades. The national lament, therefore, was not merely an emotional outburst but a culturally significant act of corporate repentance and a desperate plea for divine intervention in a time of deep national distress.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Samuel 7:2](/1_samuel/7-2 "1 Samuel 7:2 - Israel's Lament") encapsulates several critical themes. Firstly, it underscores the **absence of God's manifest presence** as a consequence of national sin. The Ark's prolonged stay in a non-cultic location symbolized a spiritual void and a perceived distance between God and His people, a stark contrast to the divine indwelling promised in [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Dwelling Among His People"). Secondly, the "lamented after the LORD" signifies a profound **national lament and repentance**. This collective sorrow and deep longing for God's favor and presence marked a critical turning point, indicating a widespread spiritual awakening and a desire to return to their covenant relationship with God. This was a movement towards genuine repentance after a long period of spiritual apathy and Philistine oppression. Thirdly, the verse highlights the **consequences of sin and the hope for restoration**. The twenty-year period of distress was a direct result of Israel's unfaithfulness and spiritual negligence. However, the collective lament demonstrates that even after significant spiritual failures, God's patience endures, and there is always hope for restoration through sincere repentance and seeking His face, as seen in [Deuteronomy 30:1-3](/deuteronomy/30-1 "Deuteronomy 30:1-3 - Return to the Lord for Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **abode (Hebrew, _yāšaḇ'_):** This verb means "to sit, dwell, remain, inhabit." Its use here emphasizes the static, prolonged nature of the Ark's presence in Kirjathjearim. It was not a temporary stop on a journey to a proper sanctuary but a long, unsettling stay, highlighting the spiritual stagnation and the lack of a central, God-ordained place for the Ark during this period. The Ark, symbolizing God's active presence, was ironically "sitting" in a relatively obscure, non-cultic location, reflecting the spiritual inertia of the nation.
* **lamented (Hebrew, _nāhāh'_):** This word carries a strong sense of deep mourning, wailing, or expressing profound sorrow, often associated with grieving for the dead or expressing intense regret. Here, it is used not for a person, but for Israel's spiritual state and their separation from God. This is more than mere sadness; it implies a profound spiritual hunger, a recognition of their sin, and a desperate yearning for the restoration of God's favor and presence. It signifies a turning point from apathy to active spiritual seeking.
* **Kirjathjearim (Hebrew, _Qiryat Ye'arim'_):** Meaning "City of Forests," this was a Gibeonite city, not a Levitical center or a place of great religious significance. The Ark's dwelling here for two decades underscores the spiritual disarray of the nation. It was a place of necessity, chosen after the tragic events at Beth-shemesh, rather than a place of honor or proper worship. Its obscurity highlights the Ark's marginalized status and, by extension, Israel's spiritual condition.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim,"**: This clause establishes the setting and the central object of the narrative. The Ark, the most sacred symbol of God's presence and covenant with Israel, is in an unusual and prolonged state of being "at rest" or "dwelling" in Kirjathjearim. This is not its intended place (a central tabernacle or temple), signifying a period of spiritual displacement and disarray for the nation.
* **"that the time was long; for it was twenty years:"**: This phrase explicitly states the duration of the Ark's stay, emphasizing the extraordinary length of this period. Twenty years is a significant span, indicating a generation's worth of spiritual stagnation, national distress, and Philistine oppression. It highlights God's patience but also the depth of Israel's spiritual apathy and the consequences of their unfaithfulness, which led to this prolonged state of divine "absence."
* **"and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD."**: This is the climactic and most significant part of the verse. "All the house of Israel" signifies a widespread, collective spiritual awakening, encompassing the entire nation. Their "lamenting after the LORD" is a profound act of corporate repentance and yearning. It indicates a deep sorrow over their spiritual condition, their past sins, and their perceived separation from God. This lament is not merely an expression of grief but a turning towards God, a desperate cry for His presence, forgiveness, and restoration, setting the stage for the spiritual revival and national deliverance that follows.

#### Literary Devices
[1 Samuel 7:2](/1_samuel/7-2 "1 Samuel 7:2 - The Turning Point") masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is central, with the Ark of the Covenant serving as the primary symbol of God's presence. Its prolonged, static dwelling in Kirjathjearim symbolizes the spiritual stagnation and perceived distance between God and His people, a consequence of their sin. The **Narrative Pause** represented by the "twenty years" creates a sense of prolonged tension and anticipation, highlighting the depth of Israel's distress and the urgent need for divine intervention. This extended period also functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, preparing the reader for the significant spiritual revival and national deliverance that Samuel will soon orchestrate. The phrase "all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD" uses **Synecdoche** (where "house of Israel" stands for the entire nation) and **Hyperbole** (to emphasize the widespread nature of the lament, even if not every single individual was literally lamenting), underscoring the collective and profound nature of their spiritual awakening. The **Juxtaposition** of the long, stagnant period with the sudden, widespread lament emphasizes the dramatic shift in the nation's spiritual posture, from apathy to active yearning for God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The lament of Israel in [1 Samuel 7:2](/1_samuel/7-2 "1 Samuel 7:2 - Israel's National Lament") is a powerful theological statement about corporate repentance and God's sovereign patience. For twenty years, the nation endured the consequences of their spiritual compromise and the Philistine oppression, a period marked by the symbolic absence of God's central presence. Yet, this prolonged distress ultimately led to a collective turning, a deep and widespread sorrow that transcended mere regret, becoming a genuine longing for God's restoration. This lament demonstrates that even in the midst of profound spiritual decline and divine discipline, God remains faithful to His covenant, patiently waiting for His people to turn back to Him. It underscores the biblical principle that genuine repentance, marked by heartfelt sorrow for sin and a fervent desire for God's presence, is the necessary precursor to divine intervention and national revival. This turning point reveals God's gracious disposition to hear the cries of His people when they humble themselves and seek His face.

* [Deuteronomy 30:1-3](/deuteronomy/30-1 "Deuteronomy 30:1-3 - Return to the Lord for Restoration")
* [Psalm 137:1](/psalms/137-1 "Psalm 137:1 - Lament by the Rivers of Babylon")
* [Joel 2:12-13](/joel/2-12 "Joel 2:12-13 - Return to the Lord with All Your Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The twenty-year period of the Ark's dwelling in Kirjathjearim and Israel's subsequent lament in [1 Samuel 7:2](/1_samuel/7-2 "1 Samuel 7:2 - A Call to Repentance") offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and communities. Just as Israel experienced a tangible sense of God's absence and the consequences of their spiritual drift, individuals and churches today can find themselves in seasons of spiritual dryness, apathy, or distance from God. This verse serves as a powerful call to self-examination, urging us to honestly assess our spiritual condition and acknowledge when we have strayed from our covenant relationship with the Lord. The "lamenting after the LORD" is not a passive sadness but an active, heartfelt yearning for God's presence and favor, a turning from complacency to fervent seeking. It reminds us that genuine repentance, marked by sorrow for sin and a deep longing for God, is the essential pathway to spiritual renewal, both personally and corporately. Moreover, the long duration highlights God's patience and the often-slow process of spiritual transformation. Even in prolonged seasons of waiting, distress, or perceived divine silence, God is at work, preparing hearts and orchestrating circumstances to draw His people back to Himself, making us ready for His gracious intervention and revival.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I recognize or acknowledge seasons of spiritual distance or dryness in my own life or in my community?**
* **What does "lamenting after the LORD" truly look like in a modern context, and how can I express such a longing for God's presence and restoration?**
* **How does the concept of God's patience, as seen in the twenty-year period, encourage or challenge my understanding of spiritual growth and transformation?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Ark stay in Kirjathjearim for so long?**

Answer: The Ark's prolonged stay in Kirjathjearim was a consequence of several factors. After the tragedy at Beth-shemesh ([1 Samuel 6:19-21](/1_samuel/6-19 "1 Samuel 6:19-21 - The Ark's Judgment at Beth-shemesh")), where many Israelites died due to irreverence, the people were afraid to keep the Ark. Kirjathjearim, a Gibeonite town, offered a temporary, safe, albeit non-cultic, resting place. More broadly, this period reflects the spiritual and political disarray of Israel during the time of the Judges. There was no central sanctuary (Shiloh, where the Ark had previously resided, was likely destroyed), no strong, unified leadership, and a general spiritual apathy that prevented the nation from properly addressing the Ark's placement. The twenty years represent a period of divine patience and a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness, during which they lived under Philistine oppression and without the full, manifest presence of God in their midst.

**What does "lamented after the LORD" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: "Lamented after the LORD" (Hebrew: _nāhāh aḥarê YHWH_) signifies far more than simple sadness or regret. The verb _nāhāh_ implies a deep, mournful wailing, often associated with grief or profound sorrow. When directed "after the LORD," it indicates a profound spiritual longing and a turning towards God. It suggests a national awakening to their spiritual decline, their past sins, and the consequences of their separation from God. This lament was a collective expression of repentance, a heartfelt cry for God's restored favor, presence, and deliverance from their oppressors. It marks a pivotal moment where Israel, as a whole, recognized their need for God and actively sought to renew their covenant relationship with Him, paving the way for the spiritual revival under Samuel's leadership.

**Was this 20-year period a punishment from God?**

Answer: While the twenty-year period was certainly a consequence of Israel's disobedience and spiritual apathy, it's more accurately understood as a period of divine discipline and preparation rather than solely punishment. God allowed the Philistine oppression and the Ark's displacement to persist, which served to highlight Israel's sin and their desperate need for Him. This extended period of distress fostered a deep spiritual hunger, culminating in the national lament mentioned in [1 Samuel 7:2](/1_samuel/7-2 "1 Samuel 7:2 - Israel's Awakening"). God's patience during these two decades allowed time for hearts to be prepared for repentance and for Samuel to emerge as the leader who would call the nation back to the Lord. It demonstrates that even in difficult seasons, God is at work, drawing His people to Himself and preparing them for renewal and restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prolonged spiritual void and the national lament described in [1 Samuel 7:2](/1_samuel/7-2 "1 Samuel 7:2 - The Longing for God") find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Ark of the Covenant, whose absence from a central sanctuary symbolized God's perceived distance from His people, was a foreshadowing of God's ultimate dwelling among humanity. While the Ark was a temporary, physical representation of God's presence, Jesus is the very [Emmanuel, "God with us"](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Jesus, God With Us"), the true and ultimate tabernacle in whom the fullness of God dwells bodily ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of God in Christ")). Israel's deep lament, their yearning "after the LORD" for His restored presence and favor, reflects the universal human longing for reconciliation with God, a longing that sin has broken. This profound spiritual separation is fully bridged by Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), thereby opening the way for humanity to draw near to God once more ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Drawing Near to God Through Christ")). Through Jesus, the New Covenant is established, where God's Spirit now dwells not in a physical ark, but within the hearts of believers ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body a Temple of the Holy Spirit")), fulfilling the deepest longing for an intimate, abiding presence of God that Israel could only glimpse. He is the true and perfect High Priest, the ultimate Mediator, who perfectly reconciles us to the Father, bringing an end to the spiritual lament and ushering in an era of abiding peace and communion.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 5:4

Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Jeremiah 31:9

They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim [is] my firstborn.

Jeremiah 3:22

Return, ye backsliding children, [and] I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou [art] the LORD our God.

Jeremiah 3:25

We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.

Judges 2:4

And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

Zechariah 12:10

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for [his] only [son], and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn.

Zechariah 12:11

In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.