1 Samuel 7:2

The time was long. It took 20 years for Israel to recognize that it was not God who had deserted them but that they, by sowing seeds of selfishness and rebellion, had deserted Him and thus reaped a bitter harvest of suffering. There once had been the need of workmen to build the ark of God, and men were found ready for the task when God outlined the plan. There were men needed to bear the ark on its various journeys, and the willingness of the Levites to assist Moses at Sinai provided such bearers. When Israel failed in their responsibilities, and the ark fell into the hands of idolaters, help was needed to bring it back. Men failed, yet the beasts of the field were obedient to God’s direction. Near at hand were those to carry and keep it in all reverence and order. Why were they not ready for the responsibility? No hint of their background or genealogy is given upon which to base conclusions. All that is recorded is that it took 20 years before Israel learned that idolatry did not pay, and turned to Samuel in repentance. The ark remained in the house of Abinadab for the period of Samuel’s judgeship during the reign of Saul, and for the early part of David’s reign, while a place was made ready for it at Jerusalem. How patiently God waits.