◄ 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 came for the ark of the LORD
Kiriath-jearim was a town in the territory of Judah, located on the border with Benjamin. It played a significant role in the history of the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark had been captured by the Philistines and caused them great trouble, leading them to return it to Israel. The men of Kiriath-jearim were chosen to retrieve the Ark, indicating their trustworthiness and reverence for the sacred object. This event marks a transition from the Ark's time among the Philistines back to Israelite care, symbolizing a restoration of God's presence among His people.

and took it into Abinadab’s house on the hill.
Abinadab's house was chosen as a temporary resting place for the Ark, suggesting that his family was respected and possibly of priestly lineage. The location "on the hill" implies a place of prominence and visibility, which is fitting for the Ark, representing God's throne on earth. This setting also foreshadows the eventual establishment of the Ark in Jerusalem, another city on a hill. The choice of Abinadab's house highlights the importance of proper stewardship and reverence for holy objects.

And they consecrated his son Eleazar to guard the ark of the LORD.
Consecration involved setting someone apart for a holy purpose, often accompanied by rituals such as anointing. Eleazar's consecration signifies the seriousness of his duty to guard the Ark, ensuring it was treated with the utmost respect and care. This act reflects the broader biblical theme of God appointing individuals for specific roles in His divine plan. Eleazar's role as guardian can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate guardian and mediator of God's presence with humanity. The consecration also underscores the need for holiness and dedication in service to 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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