Kiriath-jearim lay in the hill country between Jerusalem and the coastal plain, on the border between the territories of Judah and Benjamin. It was originally one of the cities of the Hivite league, along with Gibeon, Kephirah, and Beeroth.
The most notable event connected with the place took place after the Philistines returned the ark of the Lord, which they had captured in battle. Coming from Beth-shemesh, the ark was received at Kiriath-jearim and kept in the house of Abinadab, on the hill. His son Eleazar was consecrated to care for it.
The ark remained there for about twenty years, while all Israel sought the Lord under the leadership of Samuel. Only later, once he was king, did David gather the people and go up to Kiriath-jearim to bring the ark to Jerusalem, its permanent dwelling place.
Centuries later, a little known prophet named Urijah son of Shemaiah went out from there to proclaim the same message of judgment that Jeremiah preached in Jerusalem, and he paid for it with his life.
Kiriath-jearim shows that God can dwell, for a time, in modest and nearly forgotten places, until the right moment to move his presence forward.
