Psalms 132:6

“Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah, etc.] Either of the ark which David and others had heard of, that it formerly was at Shiloh, (<061801>Joshua 18:1); here called Ephratah, as some think; so the Ephraimites are called Ephrathites, (<071205>Judges 12:5); and Elkanah of Ramathaimzophim, of Mount Ephraim, is said to be an Ephrathite, (<090101>1 Samuel 1:1); but this tribe the Lord chose not, but the tribe of Judah, for his habitation; and rejected the tabernacle of Shiloh, and removed it from thence, (<197860>Psalm 78:60,67,68); we found it in the fields of the wood; at Kirjathjearim, which signifies the city of woods; being built among woods, and surrounded with them: here the ark was twenty…”

“Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah - Most probably this is the language of the contemporaries of David; or this is what they might be supposed to say; or this is what tradition reports that they did say. David’s purpose, as referred to in the previous verses, is not recorded in the history, and the memory of the whole transaction may have been handed down by tradition. Or, this may be merely poetic language, expressing the feelings of those who, when sent out by David, or accompanying him, found the ark. Much difficulty has been felt in regard to this verse. There is no mention in the history of the fact that the ark was “heard of” at Ephrata, or that it was ever there. The name Ephrata - אפרתה…”

“It - Of the ark. Ephratah - In the tribe of Ephraim, which was called also Ephratah. Found it - Afterwards we found it in Kirjath - jearim, which signifies a city of woods, in the territory whereof the ark was seated for twenty years. Psalms 132:7”

“132:6-10 These verses form a recollection of David’s moving the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6:1-15) and of the Lord’s oath to David (2 Sam 7:4-16). 132:6 Ephrathah is Bethlehem (Gen 35:19; 48:7). • Jaar is the singular form of the plural “Jearim.” The Ark was at Kiriath-jearim for twenty years in Samuel’s time (1 Sam 7:1-2).”

“at Ephratah: Rut 1:2; Sa1 17:12; Mic 5:2 we found: Sa1 7:1; Ch1 13:5, Ch1 13:6 Psalms 132:7”

“In Psa 132:6 begins the language of the church, which in this Psalm reminds Jahve of His promises and comforts itself with them. Olshausen regards this Psa 132:6 as altogether inexplicable. The interpretation nevertheless has some safe starting-points. (1) Since the subject spoken of is the founding of a fixed sanctuary, and one worthy of Jahve, the suffix of שׁמענוּה (with Chateph as in Hos 8:2, Ew. ֗60, a) and מצאנוּה refers to the Ark of the covenant, which is fem. also in other instances ( Sa1 4:17; Ch2 8:11). (2) The Ark of the covenant, fetched up out of Shiloh by the Israelites to the battle at Ebenezer, fell into the hands of the victors, and remained, having been again given up by…”