It happened, from the day that the ark abode in Kiryat-Ye`arim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Yisra'el lamented after the LORD.
So David assembled all Yisra'el together, from the Shichor [the brook] of Egypt even to the entrance of Chamat, to bring the ark of God from Kiryat-Ye`arim.
There was also a man who prophesied in the name of the LORD, Uriyah the son of Shemayah of Kiryat-Ye`arim; and he prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Yirmeyahu:
Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the LORD your God, and have scattered your ways to the strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed my voice, says the LORD.
They shall come with weeping; and with petitions will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by rivers of waters, in a straight way in which they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Yisra'el, and Efrayim is my firstborn.
The children of Yisra'el traveled, and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Giv`on, and Kefirah, and Be'erot, and Kiryat-Ye`arim.
The men of Kiryat-Ye`arim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Avinadav in the hill, and sanctified El`azar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
Shemu'el spoke to all the house of Yisra'el, saying, If you do return to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the `Ashtarot from among you, and direct your hearts to the LORD, and serve him only; and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Pelishtim.