2 Samuel 15 24

2 Samuel 15:24 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.

2 Samuel 15:24 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.

2 Samuel 15:24 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.

2 Samuel 15:24 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.

2 Samuel 15:24 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.

2 Samuel 15 verses

2 Samuel 15 24 Meaning

During David's desperate flight from his son Absalom, Zadok, accompanied by all the Levites, surprisingly arrived bearing the Ark of the Covenant, Israel's most sacred object symbolizing God's presence. They set down the Ark just outside Jerusalem, while the other high priest, Abiathar, also joined them as the entire population finished evacuating the city. This critical moment set the stage for David's decision regarding God's dwelling place amidst the national crisis.

2 Samuel 15 24 Context

The verse is situated in the middle of 2 Samuel chapter 15, which recounts Absalom's meticulous and manipulative conspiracy to usurp King David's throne. Absalom had charmed the people for four years, setting himself up as a more approachable figure than David. When the rebellion breaks out, David chooses to flee Jerusalem to spare the city from conflict, marking a moment of great humility and crisis for the king. Historically and culturally, the Ark of the Covenant symbolized God's manifest presence among His people and was intimately tied to Israel's covenant with Yahweh. Its unexpected appearance with Zadok and the Levites during David's hurried evacuation highlights the loyalty of the priesthood and the deeply embedded belief that God's presence (as represented by the Ark) should accompany the rightful king even in exile.

2 Samuel 15 24 Word analysis

• And behold (וְהִנֵּה, wəhinnēh): This Hebrew interjection serves to draw immediate attention to an unexpected or important occurrence. Its use here emphasizes the dramatic and surprising sight of Zadok and the Ark amidst the chaos of David's flight.

• Zadok also came (וְצָדוֹק גַּם־בָּא, wəṣādôq gam-bāʾ): Zadok, whose name means "righteous," was one of the two chief high priests during David's reign. His voluntary appearance, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to David, is significant. The word "also" implies he joined the fleeing party of his own volition, a notable act of fidelity given the king's desperate situation.

• and all the Levites with him (וְכָל־הַלְוִיִּם אִתּוֹ, wəḵol-halwiim ʾittô): The Levites were designated by God to minister in the Tabernacle and, specifically, to carry the sacred vessels like the Ark. Their collective presence with Zadok signifies that a significant portion of the religious establishment, as well as the symbol of God's presence, chose to accompany David in his distress, demonstrating strong solidarity and faith.

• bearing the ark of the covenant of God (וְנֹשְׂאִים אֶת־אֲרוֹן בְּרִית הָאֱלֹהִים, wənōśəʾîm ʾeṯ-ʾărôn bərîṯ hāʾĕlōhîm): The Ark of the Covenant was the holiest artifact in Israel, representing the very throne and presence of God. It contained the tablets of the Law, symbolizing the covenant. Its removal from Jerusalem signified the seriousness of David's situation and suggested the priests' belief that God's physical presence (via the Ark) should be with His anointed. This presented David with a theological and strategic dilemma, compelling a crucial decision in the following verses.

• And they set down the ark of God (וַיַּצִּלוּ אֶת־אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים, wayyaṣṣilû ʾeṯ-ʾărôn hāʾĕlōhîm): The act of setting down the Ark indicates a temporary halt. It reflects either a moment of logistical pause in the evacuation, an awaiting of David's instruction, or a symbolic placing of God's presence as the people departed their capital. The use of "Ark of God" underscores its divine ownership and sacredness.

• and Abiathar came up (וַיַּעַל אֶבְיָתָר, wayyaʿal ʾeḇyāṯār): Abiathar was the other chief high priest, of the lineage of Eli, and a loyal companion of David since the time of Saul. His "coming up" may refer to his physical ascent from the lower parts of the city or joining the leading elements of the retreating group. His presence alongside Zadok means both high priestly offices stood with David at this critical juncture.

• until all the people had finished passing out of the city (עַד־תֹּם הָעָם לַעֲבֹר מִן־הָעִיר, ʿaḏ-tom hāʿām laʿăḇor min-hāʿîr): This phrase clarifies the purpose of the temporary halt. The Ark and the priests effectively served as a poignant gathering point or final checkpoint as the city's inhabitants, fearful and displaced, evacuated Jerusalem. This demonstrates David's concern for his people's safe exodus even in his own flight.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And behold, Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God": This entire clause conveys an unexpected manifestation of profound loyalty and a deeply ingrained religious understanding. It highlights the automatic, almost instinctive, decision of the priesthood to bring God's central symbol of presence with their king, implying that for them, God's true presence was with the anointed David, not necessarily confined to a physical structure or city. This spontaneous action tests David's spiritual maturity.
  • "And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar came up until all the people had finished passing out of the city": This part describes a scene of organized chaos and anticipation. The setting down of the Ark marks a demarcation point—the physical separation from the city. The joint presence of both high priests alongside the Ark signifies the unified priestly commitment to David, as they collectively oversee the distressed exodus, waiting for the final person to leave before receiving further instructions on the Ark's ultimate destination.

2 Samuel 15 24 Bonus section

• The appearance of the Ark outside Jerusalem here directly contrasts with David's earlier triumphantly bringing the Ark into Jerusalem (2 Sam 6), symbolizing his anointing and the establishment of the capital as the city of God. Now, in defeat and disgrace, the Ark is temporarily outside the city, forcing a spiritual reckoning for David.
• David's decision not to take the Ark into exile foreshadows a theological understanding that later develops more fully: God's presence is not strictly bound by a physical object or temple. This anticipatory act by David mirrors, in a profound way, the New Covenant understanding where God's Spirit dwells within believers, independent of specific structures.
• While Abiathar is present, his influence begins to wane compared to Zadok's, particularly after this episode and the subsequent events (like Abiathar siding with Adonijah), which ultimately leads to Zadok becoming the sole chief priest under Solomon. This verse subtly highlights the ongoing priestly dynamic in David's court.

2 Samuel 15 24 Commentary

2 Samuel 15:24 is a poignant verse capturing a moment of profound decision and symbolism during David's flight from Absalom. The spontaneous appearance of Zadok and all the Levites bearing the sacred Ark of the Covenant underlines their deep loyalty to David, yet it simultaneously creates a crucial dilemma for the fleeing king. Historically, the Ark was associated with God's presence and was sometimes carried into battle as a visible sign of divine support. By bringing it out, the priests expressed their belief that God's presence should accompany David. However, David's subsequent instruction (in verse 25) to return the Ark to Jerusalem demonstrates his spiritual growth and dependence on God's will rather than seeking to manipulate divine symbols for tactical advantage. This pivotal act of faith showed David entrusting his fate entirely to the sovereign Lord, whose presence transcended physical objects or locations. The temporary setting down of the Ark, with Abiathar's involvement, provided a visible rallying point as the city's inhabitants finished their chaotic but orderly evacuation.