Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Samuel 6:21

"And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying, The Philistines have brought back the ark of Jehovah; come ye down, and fetch it up to you." — 1 Samuel 6:21 (ASV)

Kirjath-jearim - See the note on Joshua 9:17. It has been suggested that there was a high place at Kirjath-jearim (the “hill” mentioned in 1 Samuel 7:1), a remnant of its old pagan sanctity from when it was called Kirjath-Baal, meaning “the city of Baal” (2 Samuel 6:2). For this reason, it is thought that it was selected as a suitable place to send the ark.