Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 7:1

AND the men of Kirjath-jearim came and se[illegible: 1+ letters]cht 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 .

They gladly embrace the motion, as wisely considering, that their great Calamity was not to be charged upon the Ark, but upon themselves and their own carelesness, irreverence, and presumption, in looking into the Ark. This place is elsewhere called Baalah, and Kiriath-Baal, as is evident from Ios. 15. 9, 60. and 18. 14. and 1 Chron. 13. 6, 7.

i. e. Caused it to be brought up; to wit, by the Priests appointed to that work, whom they could easily procure, and undoubtedly would do it, especially having been so lately warned of the great danger of violating Gods Commands in those matters. In Scripture-use, men are commonly said to do that which they order, or cause others to do.

This place they chose, because it was both a strong place, where it would be most safe; and an High Place, and therefore visible at some distance, and to many persons, which was convenient for them, who were at that time to direct their Prayers and Faces towards the Ark, 1 King. 8. 29, 30, 35. Psal. 28. 2. and 138. 2. Dan. 6. 10. And for the same reason David afterwards placed it in the Hill of Sion. Some Translate the word, in Gibeah. But that was in the Tribe of Benjamin, Ios. 18. 27. Iudg. 19. 14. whereas this Kiriath-jearim was in the Tribe of Iudah, 1 Chron. 13. 6, 7.

Not that they made him either Levite or Priest, as some would have it; for in Israel persons were not made, but born such; and since the Institution of Levites and Priests, none were made such, that were born of other Tribes, or Families; but that they devoted, or set him apart (as this Verb sometimes signifies) wholly to attend upon this Work.

Him they chose rather than his Father, because he was younger and stronger, and probably freed from Domestick Cares, which might divert him from, or disturb him in this Work; or because he was more eminent for Prudence or Piety.

To keep the place where it was clean and neat, and to guard it that none might approach or touch it, but such as God required, or allowed to do so.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 132. 5.; [illegible: 1+ letters] Sam▪ 6. 4.