2 Samuel 15:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Abiathar came up, and behold, Zadok came also with all the Levites, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God until the people had all passed out of the city.

NIV: Zadok was there, too, and all the Levites who were with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had finished leaving the city.

NASB: Now behold, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar came up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city.

CSB: Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. They set the ark of God down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until the people had finished marching past.

NLT: Zadok and all the Levites also came along, carrying the Ark of the Covenant of God. They set down the Ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until everyone had passed out of the city.

KJV: And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

NKJV: There was Zadok also, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar went up until all the people had finished crossing over from the city.

Absalom, David's son, has won the hearts of many Israelites outside of Jerusalem. He's marching with them to take the throne from David. David has gathered his servants, his personal guard, and a newly acquired band of Philistine mercenaries and flees east towards the Mount of Olives (2 Samuel 15:1–22).

Many in and around Jerusalem remain faithful to David. They mourn as they watch the procession (2 Samuel 15:23). Abiathar and Zadok have come with the Levites to follow him with the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25:10; 2 Samuel 6:12). Since at least the time of Eli, the Israelite army periodically took the ark into battle: whether as a sign of God's presence or as a superstitious talisman, it's not clear. And it didn't always work (1 Samuel 4:1–10).

David knows better. He knows the ark belongs to God, as do the chaotic events around him. God had promised this day would come. He predicted that someone close to David would betray him, just as David betrayed his loyal warrior Uriah (2 Samuel 12:10–11). If David finds favor with God, he will return to Jerusalem and the ark. In the meantime, Abiathar and Zadok, along with their sons, are of more use to David inside the city. David convinces his friend Hushai to infiltrate Absalom's court. Hushai not only manages to lead Absalom into poor military choices, but he also sends messages through the priests' sons to warn David when Absalom is coming (2 Samuel 15:25–37; 17:5–22).

Abiathar fled to David after Saul killed his father and the other priests of Nob (1 Samuel 22:20–23), and he's been with David ever since. Against Absalom, Abiathar remains faithful. But when David lies dying, he'll support David's son Adonijah for king while Zadok follows David's command and sides with Solomon. In Solomon's purge of David's problematic servants, Solomon feels he has the right to execute Abiathar for backing Adonijah. But because of his faithful service to David and the ark, Solomon merely removes him from the priesthood and sends him home (1 Kings 2:26–27). Abiathar is the last priest in the line of Eli; his removal fulfills God's curse that Eli's descendants' service as priests will end (1 Samuel 3:14).

Second Samuel 15:24–29 explains how David recruits his priests as spies. Absalom, David's son, has won the hearts of the Israelites and declared himself king. He's approaching Jerusalem with his followers. As David flees the city, his household and three Philistine military units come with him (2 Samuel 15:1–23). But when the priests Abiathar and Zadok arrive with the ark of the covenant, David sends them back. The ark belongs to God, not him, and the priests are in a good position to influence and spy on Absalom. With the help of their sons and David's friend Hushai, they thwart Absalom's plans (2 Samuel 17).

God's curses against David continue (2 Samuel 12:10–12). David's son Absalom stages a coup. His followers declare him king and escort him to Jerusalem. David and those faithful to him flee the city for the wilderness. He leaves behind two priests, their sons, and an advisor to thwart Absalom's plans. As he travels, David willingly endures every humiliation, not knowing which are from God. Joab kills Absalom, and the kingdom is restored (2 Samuel 16—18). Absalom's betrayal is not recorded in 1 Chronicles.

Second Samuel 15 continues the fulfillment of God's curse on David. As he betrayed his friend Uriah, so someone from David's house will betray him (2 Samuel 12:11). David's son Absalom steals the people's hearts and declares himself king. David and his household flee the city, leaving behind ten concubines and five spies. The spies protect David until Joab can kill Absalom in battle. David is humbled and forgives his enemies (2 Samuel 16—19).