1 Samuel 7:1,2

The Ark in the House of Abinadab. 1 Samuel 7:1-2

And the men of Kirjath-jearim came, and fetched 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.
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.

1.

Who was Abinadab? 1 Samuel 7:1

Abinadab was a very interesting name. It signified father of generosity. He was evidently a Levite of Kirjath-jearim. It was in his house that the Ark was deposited. Although the Israelites themselves did not gather together to anoint a new priest, the people of the community appointed Eleazar to take care of the Ark. This was not a change of the priesthood as prophesied by God (1 Samuel 2:35), but it was the temporary arrangement made by the people to care for the Ark.

2.

Why did the people leave it there for such a long time? 1 Samuel 7:2

The people of Israel were not very punctual about performing the Lord's duties. The fact that they left the Ark in this strange location for 20 years is an indication of how they failed to do the Lord's bidding. Such an arrangement left the tabernacle itself still at Shiloh, but the main part of the tabernacle furniture at this distant location. It was only when David came to the throne that he began to take care of such neglected matters.