1 Samuel 7:2

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Context

First Samuel 7:2 marks a significant period in Israel's history following the devastating defeat by the Philistines and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant, as detailed in 1 Samuel 4:11. After causing plagues among the Philistines (1 Samuel 5:6), the Ark was returned to Israelite territory, first to Beth-shemesh, and then, due to the people's irreverence, it was moved to Kirjathjearim (1 Samuel 6:21). This verse highlights that the Ark remained in Kirjathjearim for a remarkably long time—twenty years. This period represents a time of national distress and spiritual stagnation, a consequence of Israel's earlier disobedience and a lack of consistent leadership since the death of Eli. It sets the stage for the emergence of Samuel as a prominent prophet and judge, who would guide Israel back to the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Absence of God's Manifest Presence: The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God's dwelling among His people (Exodus 25:8). Its prolonged stay away from a central place of worship like Shiloh indicated a spiritual void and a perceived distance between God and Israel.
  • National Lament and Repentance: The phrase "all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD" signifies a profound sorrow and a deep longing for God's favor and presence. This collective lament was a critical turning point, indicating a national awakening and a desire to return to their covenant relationship with God. It suggests a movement towards genuine repentance after a long period of spiritual apathy.
  • Consequences of Sin and Hope for Restoration: The twenty-year period of distress was a direct result of Israel's unfaithfulness. However, the lament demonstrates that even after significant spiritual failures, there is always hope for restoration through repentance and seeking God's face.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "lamented" is nahah (נָהָה), which carries a sense of deep mourning, wailing, or expressing profound sorrow. It's often used in contexts of grieving for the dead or expressing intense regret. Here, it is used not for a person, but for their spiritual state and their separation from God. This deep, collective cry reveals the intensity of their spiritual hunger and their regret over their past sins, paving the way for the spiritual revival that follows under Samuel's leadership.

Practical Application

The experience of Israel in 1 Samuel 7:2 offers several timeless lessons:

  • Recognizing Spiritual Distance: Just as Israel felt the absence of God's presence, individuals and communities today can experience spiritual dryness or distance from God. This verse encourages self-examination and a willingness to acknowledge when we have strayed.
  • The Power of Lament and Repentance: Genuine sorrow for sin and a heartfelt longing for God are essential for spiritual renewal. This verse illustrates that a sincere "lamenting after the LORD" is a precursor to God's gracious intervention and restoration, much like the call to repentance in 2 Chronicles 7:14.
  • Patience and God's Timing: The twenty-year period highlights that spiritual transformation, whether individual or national, can take time. Even during long seasons of waiting or distress, God is at work, preparing hearts for revival.
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Cross-References

  • Matthew 5:4 (3 votes)

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

  • Jeremiah 31:9 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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