Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Samuel 7:2

2 ¶ And it came to pass while the ark abode in Kirjath jearim , that the time was long: for it was twenty years : and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD .

Where it continued, and was not carried to Shilo its former place, either because that place was destroyed by the Philistines when the Ark was taken, as may be gathered from this History, compared with Ier. 7. 12, 14. and 26. 6, 9. Or because God would hereby punish the wickedness either of that particular place of Shiloh, or of the People of Israel, by keeping it in a private and obscure place, and that near to the Philistines, whither the generality of the People neither durst, nor could safely come.

He saith not, That this 20 years was all the time of the Arks abode there, for it continued there from Eli's time, till David's Reign, 2 Sam. 6. 2. which was 40 years, Act. 13. 21. but that it was so long there ere the Israelites were sensible of their Sin and Misery, ere they lamented, &c. as it follows.

i. e. They followed after God with Lamentation for his departure, and so long estrangement from them, and with prayers for his return, and favour to them.