2 Samuel 15:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Are you not a seer? Go back to the city in peace, with your two sons, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

NIV: The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Do you understand? Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan. You and Abiathar return with your two sons.

NASB: The king also said to Zadok the priest, 'Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

CSB: The king also said to the priest Zadok, "Look, return to the city in peace and your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan.

NLT: The king also told Zadok the priest, 'Look, here is my plan. You and Abiathar should return quietly to the city with your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan.

KJV: The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

NKJV: The king also said to Zadok the priest, “ Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

David is watching as his servants, guards, and private militia file past him through the city gate on the way to the Mount of Olives and the wilderness beyond. His son Absalom, along with his co-conspirators and 200 unwitting guests, are on their way to take Jerusalem. David doesn't want a fight in the city, so he's told everyone who is vulnerable to Absalom's plan to flee (2 Samuel 15:13–23).

The priests Abiathar and Zadok, as well as the Levites who tend the tent of the ark of the covenant, have joined him. It's likely they believe the physical symbol of God's presence should stay with the true king. If there's going to be a battle, God should be on David's side (2 Samuel 15:24).

That's not how any of this works. David knows the ark is God's symbol, but God isn't controlled by or defined by the ark. David is still the king, but only if and so far as God decides he still is. The ark belongs in Jerusalem, and the priests belong with the ark (2 Samuel 15:25–26).

Here, David the theologian meets David the strategist. As a seer, Zadok can stay in Jerusalem and get intelligence from God. With the help of Zadok and Abiathar's sons, they can spy on Absalom and warn David of his son's plans (2 Samuel 15:28–29).

The priests and Levites return with the ark and David follows his people up the Mount of Olives. As he arrives at the summit, his old friend Hushai meets him, dressed for mourning and ready to follow. David recognizes God's provision. His counselor, Ahithophel, has sided with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12). If anyone can thwart Ahithophel's guidance, it's Hushai. David sends the old man back with orders to infiltrate Absalom's advisors (2 Samuel 15:30–37).

It works. Ahithophel gains traction early on, telling Absalom to make a symbolic statement of dominance over his father (2 Samuel 16:20–23). But when David's safety is at risk, Hushai not only mitigates Ahithophel's guidance, but he also sends word through the priests to warn David. When Ahithophel realizes what's happened, he kills himself (2 Samuel 17:1–23).

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).