1 Samuel 7:2

2 et factum est ex qua die mansit arca in Cariathiarim multiplicati sunt dies erat quippe iam annus vicesimus et requievit omnis domus Israhel post Dominum

1 Samuel 7:2 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 7:2

And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim,
that the time was long
It could not be less than between forty and fifty years, for it remained here until the times of David, who removed it from hence after he was made king over all Israel, and when he had reigned over Judah seven years; and from the death of Eli to that time, which included the government of Samuel and Saul, it could not be less than what has been hinted:

for it [was] twenty years;
not that this was all the time the ark was at Kirjathjearim, but it was so long there before it was much taken notice of, and sought unto, and the Lord by it; there was a great neglect of God, and his worship, which through the means of Samuel began to revive about this time, as it follows:

and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord;
became sensible of their evil doings, and repented of them, and sought the Lord with fasting, and prayer, and tears; bewailed their backslidings and revoltings from him, and cried after a departing God.

1 Samuel 7:2 In-Context

1 venerunt ergo viri Cariathiarim et duxerunt arcam Domini et intulerunt eam in domum Abinadab in Gabaa Eleazarum autem filium eius sanctificaverunt ut custodiret arcam Domini

2 et factum est ex qua die mansit arca in Cariathiarim multiplicati sunt dies erat quippe iam annus vicesimus et requievit omnis domus Israhel post Dominum

3 ait autem Samuhel ad universam domum Israhel dicens si in toto corde vestro revertimini ad Dominum auferte deos alienos de medio vestrum et Astharoth et praeparate corda vestra Domino et servite ei soli et eruet vos de manu Philisthim

4 abstulerunt ergo filii Israhel Baalim et Astharoth et servierunt Domino soli

5 dixit autem Samuhel congregate universum Israhel in Masphat ut orem pro vobis Dominum