◄ 1 Samuel 7:1 ►
Then the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the LORD and took it into Abinadab's house on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD.
Study Bible
Then the men of Kiriath-jearim
The phrase "Then the men of Kiriath-jearim" introduces us to the inhabitants of a significant town in the tribal territory of Judah. Kiriath-jearim, meaning "City of Forests," was strategically located on the border of Judah and Benjamin. Historically, this town played a crucial role as a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant. The men of this town were chosen to undertake the sacred task of moving the Ark, indicating their reverence and willingness to serve God.

came and took up the ark of the LORD
The "ark of the LORD" refers to the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. The Hebrew word for "ark" is "aron," which signifies a chest or box. The Ark symbolized God's presence among His people. The act of "taking up" the Ark suggests a careful and respectful approach, acknowledging its holiness and the divine presence it represented.

and brought it into the house of Abinadab
"Abinadab" is a name meaning "father of nobleness" or "my father is willing." The house of Abinadab was chosen as the temporary resting place for the Ark, signifying a place of honor and respect. This decision reflects the trust and responsibility placed upon Abinadab and his household to safeguard the Ark, highlighting their faithfulness and dedication to God.

on the hill
The phrase "on the hill" indicates a location of elevation, which in biblical times often symbolized a place of worship or significance. Hills were considered closer to the heavens, and thus, a fitting place for the Ark, which represented God's presence. This setting underscores the reverence and sanctity associated with the Ark's placement.

They consecrated his son Eleazar
To "consecrate" means to set apart as holy or dedicate to a sacred purpose. The Hebrew root "qadash" conveys the idea of sanctification. Eleazar, meaning "God has helped," was chosen and set apart for the holy duty of guarding the Ark. This act of consecration signifies a divine calling and a life dedicated to serving God.

to guard the ark of the LORD
The responsibility "to guard the ark of the LORD" was a sacred trust, emphasizing the importance of protecting what is holy. The Ark was not merely a physical object but a symbol of God's covenant and presence. Guarding it required spiritual vigilance and devotion, reflecting the broader biblical theme of safeguarding one's faith and relationship with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Kiriath-jearim
A town in the territory of Judah where the Ark of the Covenant was brought after being returned by the Philistines. It served as a temporary resting place for the Ark.

2. The Ark of the LORD
The sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's presence and covenant with Israel.

3. Abinadab
A resident of Kiriath-jearim whose house was chosen to house the Ark. His family was entrusted with its care.

4. Eleazar
The son of Abinadab, consecrated to guard the Ark. His name means "God has helped," indicating a divine role in his appointment.

5. The Philistines
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the reason the Ark was moved to Kiriath-jearim, having returned it after suffering plagues.
Teaching Points
Reverence for God's Presence
The careful handling and guarding of the Ark by Eleazar remind us of the importance of reverence and respect for God's presence in our lives.

God's Sovereignty and Provision
The return of the Ark to Israel and its placement in Kiriath-jearim demonstrate God's sovereignty and provision for His people, even in times of distress.

Consecration and Service
Eleazar's consecration to guard the Ark illustrates the call to dedicate our lives to God's service, using our gifts and roles for His glory.

Community Responsibility
The involvement of the men of Kiriath-jearim in moving the Ark shows the importance of community in fulfilling God's purposes and supporting His work.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the placement of the Ark in Abinadab's house teach us about God's provision and protection in our own lives?

2. How can we apply the concept of consecration, as seen in Eleazar's role, to our personal walk with God today?

3. In what ways does the account of the Ark's journey to Kiriath-jearim reflect God's faithfulness to His covenant promises?

4. How does the community's involvement in moving the Ark challenge us to participate in God's work within our own church or community?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's presence in a powerful way. How did it change your perspective or actions, similar to the reverence shown for the Ark?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25
Describes the construction and significance of the Ark of the Covenant, emphasizing its role as a symbol of God's presence.

2 Samuel 6
Details the later movement of the Ark from Kiriath-jearim to Jerusalem, highlighting its continued importance in Israel's worship.

Numbers 4
Discusses the duties of the Levites in caring for the Ark, providing context for Eleazar's consecration.
Sermons
Steps of Return to GodD. Fraser 1 Samuel 7:1-12
People
Abinadab, Amorites, Eleazar, Israelites, Samuel
Places
Beth-car, Bethel, Ebenezer, Ekron, Gath, Gilgal, Kiriath-jearim, Mizpah, Ramah, Shen
Topics
Abinadab, Abin'adab, Abinadab's, Ark, Bring, Care, Charge, Consecrated, Eleazar, Elea'zar, Fetched, Gibeah, Guard, Hallowed, Height, Hill, Holy, Jearim, Kiriath, Kiriath-jearim, Kir'iath-je'arim, Kirjathjearim, Kirjath-jearim, Sanctified
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 7:1

     8270   holiness, set apart

1 Samuel 7:1-2

     7306   ark of the covenant

Library
Sermon at the Faribault Celebration of the Centennial of the Inauguration of George Washington, 1789-1889.
"Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebeneser, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."-- 1 SAMUEL vii. 12. No words are more fitting on this Centennial day. One hundred years ago George Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States. Words are powerless to express the grateful thoughts which swell patriot hearts. Save that people whom God led out of Egypt with His pillar of fire and His pillar of cloud, I know of no nation …
H.B. Whipple—Five Sermons

Three Decisive Steps
"And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjath-jearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Ebenezer!
I beg you, therefore, dear friends, for a little time this morning, to fix your thoughts upon your God in connection with yourselves; and, while we think of Samuel piling the stones and saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us," let us lay the emphasis upon the last word and say, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped US," and if you can put it in the singular, and say, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped ME," so much the better. Again, it is a very delightful exercise to remember the various ways in which the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 9: 1863

Ebenezer 1Sam 7:12
 …
John Newton—Olney Hymns

Faithlessness and Defeat
'And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. 2. And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. 3. And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines? …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Emmaus. Kiriath-Jearim.
"From Beth-horon to Emmaus it was hilly."--It was sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem.--"To eight hundred only, dismissed the army, (Vespasian) gave a place, called Ammaus, for them to inhabit: it is sixty furlongs distant from Jerusalem." I inquire, whether this word hath the same etymology with Emmaus near Tiberias, which, from the 'warm baths,' was called Chammath. The Jews certainly do write this otherwise... "The family (say they) of Beth-Pegarim, and Beth Zipperia was out of Emmaus."--The …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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