1)
Why did they send to Kiryas Ye'arim?
1.
Malbim: This was Beis Shemesh in Yehudah, close to Ekron (and not the Beis Shemesh in Yisachar). They sent to Kiryas Ye'arim which was close, and in their Shevet.
2)
Why did they not send to a place far from the Pelishtim? Perhaps they will try to capture it again!
1.
Malbim: The verse says, the Pelishtim returned it by themselves, for they feared it. There is no concern lest they deal with it a second time.
