Prior to Israel’s conquest of Canaan, the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim were known as Gibeonites, after the name of a more important town in the region (Josh 9:3,17; see GIBEON). Kiriath-jearim was on the border between Benjamin and Judah, and was known also as Kiriath-baal, Baalah, Baale-judah and Kiriath-arim (Josh 15:9,60; 18:14,21-28; 2 Sam 6:2; Ezra 2:25). It is chiefly remembered because during the time of Saul and David the ark of the covenant rested there for twenty years (1 Sam 7:1-2; 2 Sam 6:2; for maps see BENJAMIN; JUDAH, TRIBE AND KINGDOM).