King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 7:1 Mean?

1 Samuel 7:1 in the King James Version says “And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.”

1 Samuel 7:1 · KJV

Context

1

And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.

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.

3

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.

Kirjath-jearim responds to Beth-shemesh's request, bringing the Ark to a private residence on 'the hill' (Hebrew 'gibah'). Abinadab's house becomes an unlikely sanctuary, with his son Eleazar consecrated ('qiddesh', set apart as holy) as guardian. This arrangement, while irregular - the Ark belonged in the Tabernacle with Levitical care - represented practical necessity given Shiloh's apparent destruction and the priesthood's disarray. The name Eleazar ('God has helped') echoes the high priest in Moses' time, perhaps intentionally. This domestic setting for Israel's holiest object illustrates the period's spiritual confusion - no functioning central sanctuary, no proper priestly leadership, yet God's presence remains with His people. For twenty years the Ark would rest here, a silent witness awaiting Israel's spiritual renewal.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Tabernacle likely remained at Shiloh, though possibly damaged or destroyed by Philistines (Psalm 78:60-61; Jeremiah 7:12). The Ark's separation from the Tabernacle was unprecedented, creating a unique situation where Israel's holiest object resided in a private home. Abinadab may have been a Levite, though the text does not specify.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the Ark's unconventional housing teach about God's presence with His people during times of institutional breakdown?
  2. How does God remain faithful even when human religious structures fail?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיָּבִ֣אוּ1 of 22

“and brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אַנְשֵׁ֣י׀2 of 22
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

קִרְיַ֣ת3 of 22
H0
יְעָרִ֗ים4 of 22

“of Kirjathjearim”

H7157

kirjath-jearim or kirjath-arim, a place in palestine

וַֽיַּעֲלוּ֙5 of 22

“and fetched up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶת6 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲר֥וֹן7 of 22

“the ark”

H727

a box

יְהוָֽה׃8 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיָּבִ֣אוּ9 of 22

“and brought”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֹת֔וֹ10 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶל11 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּ֥ית12 of 22

“it into the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲבִֽינָדָ֖ב13 of 22

“of Abinadab”

H41

abinadab, the name of four israelites

בַּגִּבְעָ֑ה14 of 22

“in the hill”

H1389

a hillock

וְאֶת15 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶלְעָזָ֤ר16 of 22

“Eleazar”

H499

elazar, the name of seven israelites

בְּנוֹ֙17 of 22

“his son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

קִדְּשׁ֔וּ18 of 22

“and sanctified”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

לִשְׁמֹ֖ר19 of 22

“to keep”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

אֶת20 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲר֥וֹן21 of 22

“the ark”

H727

a box

יְהוָֽה׃22 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 7:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 7:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 6:2-4Psalms 132:6Joshua 18:14Isaiah 52:111 Chronicles 13:5-71 Samuel 6:21

Places in This Verse

Gibeah 1Settlement · Modern: Tel el Ful · 31.82°N, 35.23°E45 verses across 6 books
Kiriath-jearimSettlement · Modern: Deir el Azar · 31.81°N, 35.10°E19 verses across 8 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 7 →

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