Overview
Kirjath-Jearim (also called Kiriath-Jearim) was a city in the hill country of Judah where the Ark of the Covenant remained for approximately two decades. After the Philistines returned the sacred Ark, it was brought to this town and kept in the house of Abinadab. Later, King David prepared to transfer it to Jerusalem in a formal procession, though the journey was marked by God's judgment when Uzzah touched the Ark.
Key Scriptures
"So the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took the ark of the LORD and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD" (1 Samuel 7:1, ESV).
"And they set the ark of God on a new cart and took it from the house of Abinadab that was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart" (2 Samuel 6:3, ESV).
Application
Kirjath-Jearim reminds us that God's presence and worship require reverence and obedience, not casual familiarity or presumption in approaching holy things.