1 Samuel 4

1 Samuel 4:3

Ark] The Ark so precious in the eyes of God, and of the Israelites, and that worthily, Psal LXXVIII. 61. and CXXXII. 8. 1. Sam. IV. 20. Was carried about the walls of Jericho, and then returned into the Tabernacle, Being in the Tabernacle in Shiloh, it was taken thence (and never came into the Tabernacle again), and was carried to Eben-Ezer (a place ominous then, but a monument of Gods help soone after) into the Camp, 1 Sam. IV. 1, 3, 4, 5. and V. 1. that it might save them out of the hand of their enemies, the Philistines. (As we read, the Philistines themselves, in the dayes of David, brought their Images into their Camp, 2 Sam V. 21. 1 Chron. XIV. 12.) The Ark being taken there by the Philistines, they carried it about to Ashdod, into the house of Dagon: Thence to Gath: Thence to Ekron.

And after they had kept it seven moneths, they carried it to Beth-Shemesh, a Citie in the Tribe of Judah, given to the Priests, 1 Chron. VI. 57, 59.

Josh. XXI. 16. And it was fetched thence to Kiriath-jearim, a Citie of Judah, likewise, 1 Chron. XIII. 6. and Judg. XVIII. 12. So called, it may be, from Kiriath-jearim, the son of Shebal, grandchilde of Caleb, the son of Hur, 1 Chron. II. 50, 52, 53. If Kiriath-jearim be there to be understood of the name of a man, and not of the Citie.

Or thus called from its seate in a Wood, or woody Countrey, as the name signifieth; See ou Psal. CXXXII. 6. It was called also Kiriath-Baal, Josh. XVIII. 14, 15. And Baalah, Josh. XV. 9, 10. 1 Chron. XIII. 6. And Baale of Judah, 2 Sam.

VI. 2. It was brought thither into the house of Abinadab, a Levite; builded in the hill, or Gibeah there, 1 Sam. VII. 1. 2 Sam. VI. 3, 4. It abode there twenty years, till the time of the Repentance and Reformation wrought by Samuel, 1 Sam. VII. 2,—6. And after in the times of Saul, it seems to be fetched thence to Giglal, 1 Sam. X. 8. and Ch.

XI. 15. and ch. XII. 3. and chap. XIII. 8, 9. And after to Gibeah of Benjamin; compare together 1 Sam. XIII. 6. and chap. XIV. 2, 18. It may seeme to be thus fetched into extraordinary Assemblies, upon extraordinary occasions both in Warre, and Peace. But being returned to Kiriath-jearim, and the honse of Abinadab, it was fetched thence by David, 1 Chron.

XIII. 5. sixty seven years after it was first brought thither; And was brought by him to the house of Obed-Edom, 2 Sam. VI. 10. a Levite, and Porter on the South-side of the Temple, 1 Chron. XV. 18, 24. and chap. XVI. 38. and chap. XXVI. 4,—8, 15. if not a Singer also, 1 Chron. XV. 21. and chap XVI. 5. And one of his race and name was treasurer in the Temple, in the dayes of King Amatziah, 2 Chron. XXV. 24.

He is called a Gittite, likely because borne at Gath-Rimmon, a Citie of the Kohathites Levites, Josh. XXI. 24, 25. situated near Gath of the Philistines. The Arke was there three moneths, 2 Sam. VI. 11. 1 Chron. XIII. 13, 14. And then, and thence, fetched by David, with great solemnity, into the Tent which he prepared for it, in the Citie of David, in Jerusalem, 1 Chron. XV. 1,—29. and XVI. 1. 2 Chron. I. 4.

And thence seemes to be carried into Joabs Camp before Rabbah, 2 Sam. XI. 11. And begun to be carried with David in his flight from Absalom, 2 Sam. XV. 24, 25. And being returned to Davids Tent for it in Jerusalem, Solomon, as soone as he had builded the Temple, brings it thence with great solemnity, and placeth it in the Holy Oracle, 2 Chron. V. 2,—14. and chap. XXXV. 3. about one hundred and twelve years after it first left Shiloh. And last of all was burned with the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar.

And no more to be minded, or remembred in the dayes of the Messiah, Jer. III. 16.