1 Samuel 6:21

Kirjath-jearim i.e. "city of forests," originally belonged to the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:17), and was one of the frontier cities of Judah (Joshua 15:9).

The site is probably to be fixed at the modern village of Kuryet-el-enab, i.e. "city of the grape," which stands among the hills, 8 or 9 miles N.E. of Ain Shems. "A ride over ruined rocky paths, some of the worst in the country, brought us to Kureit-el-Enab, the ancient Kirjath-jearim, in a pleasant valley of olive-groves, abounding in jays and hawks. We dismounted to visit the old Gothic church, said to have been built by the English Crusaders, and still quite perfect, though desecrated by the Moslem villagers to the uses of a cow-shed." Tristram, Land of Israel, p. 397. [See however Add. Note IX. p. 245.]

Kirjath-jearim was also called Baalah(Joshua 15:9), Baale-Judah(2 Samuel 6:2), and Kirjath-baal(Joshua 15:60), names which point to the former existence of Baal-worship in the place.

The Ark was probably taken to Kirjath-jearim, which was neither a priestly nor Levitical city, as being the nearest place of importance on the road to Shiloh, but why it was not restored to its old resting-place does not appear. Possibly Shiloh, as the central seat of worship and government, was occupied by the Philistines after the battle of Aphek. Certainly it never regained its old importance. See Jeremiah 7:12-14; Jeremiah 26:6.

come ye down Kirjath-jearim was among the hills of Judah on higher ground than Beth-shemesh.