1 Samuel 6:21
And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you. And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.
After the Philistines returned the ark, the men of Beth-shemesh sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim asking them to come down and fetch it up to themselves. The request was driven by fear of keeping the holy ark after their irreverence toward it was punished with death among them. They were afraid to retain so holy an object after the deaths that had fallen upon them.
The ark was then brought to the house of Abinadab in Kirjath-jearim. Abinadab's son was set apart to keep it. There it remained twenty years, during which Israel was humbled and repented, Samuel interceded for them, and God showed them mercy.