2 Samuel 15:28 - Printer Friendly

ESV: See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me."

NIV: I will wait at the fords in the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me."

NASB: See, I am going to wait at the river crossing places of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.'

CSB: Remember, I’ll wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me."

NLT: I will stop at the shallows of the Jordan River and wait there for a report from you.'

KJV: See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

NKJV: See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”

Absalom spent four years turning the men of Israel against his father, King David. He's now marching to Jerusalem, ready to take the throne, which would mean killing his own father. David won't fight in Jerusalem that would risk the lives of the residents. And he can't leave his servants to Absalom's whims. So, he gathers those he can and tells them to flee east to the wilderness (2 Samuel 15:1–15).

David is not completely friendless. His personal guards are faithful. So is Ittai, the commander of a 600-man Philistine mercenary army (2 Samuel 15:18–22). The priests Abiathar and Zadok, along with the Levites, are also dedicated to David as king. They bring the ark of the covenant, ready to follow wherever David must go. But David sends them back. He knows God will fulfill His plans no matter where the ark rests. David will submit to God, even if it means his death. God is all-powerful and all-sovereign, and David is His servant (2 Samuel 15:24–26).

Zadok is a seer. He's in a unique position to take what he can learn about Absalom's plans and ask God for more information. Both priests have sons. They will make excellent message runners (2 Samuel 15:27). David will cross the Kidron Brook, climb the Mount of Olives, and go as far as the ford on the near side of the Jordan River. He'll wait there for intelligence about Absalom's plans.

God shows favor on David's plan. When he reaches the top of the Mount of Olives, he meets another ally: the old wise man Hushai. Like the priests, Hushai wants to stay with David, but he'll serve David better as an inside agent. It's Hushai who joins Absalom's advisors and learns their plans. He tells the priests, and the priests send word to their sons. The men nearly get caught but hide in a well with a local woman's help. The woman sends Absalom's guards in the wrong direction, and the priests' sons warn David to cross the river and flee. David and his fighting men have just enough time to regroup and prepare for battle (2 Samuel 15:17–18).

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).