2 Samuel 15 26

2 Samuel 15:26 kjv

But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

2 Samuel 15:26 nkjv

But if He says thus: 'I have no delight in you,' here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him."

2 Samuel 15:26 niv

But if he says, 'I am not pleased with you,' then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him."

2 Samuel 15:26 esv

But if he says, 'I have no pleasure in you,' behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him."

2 Samuel 15:26 nlt

But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him."

2 Samuel 15 verses

2 Samuel 15 26 Meaning

David expresses profound and complete submission to God's sovereign will. He acknowledges that God has the absolute right to either restore him to his kingship and divine favor or to withdraw His delight and allow him to suffer any consequence. David's statement reflects radical trust, humility, and readiness to accept whatever divine providence dictates, knowing that God's plan is always ultimately good.

2 Samuel 15 26 Context

2 Samuel 15:26 is situated during a pivotal and traumatic period in David’s reign: Absalom’s rebellion. Absalom, David’s son, has conspired against his father and seized control of Jerusalem. David is forced to flee the city with his loyal followers. As David and his company depart, the priests Zadok and Abiathar appear with the Ark of the Covenant, intending to accompany David into exile (v. 24). David, however, instructs them to return the Ark to Jerusalem, stating that if God shows him favor, He will bring him back to see both the Ark and God's dwelling place (v. 25). Verse 26 is David’s immediate follow-up statement, expressing the converse possibility: that God might not be pleased with him. In this moment of deep personal crisis, facing the loss of his throne and kingdom, David's response reveals his profound understanding of divine sovereignty and his willingness to submit entirely to God's will, even if it means his downfall. He understands that God is not to be manipulated by sacred objects like the Ark, but acts according to His own wisdom and good pleasure.

2 Samuel 15 26 Word analysis

• But if He says thus, (וְאִם-כָּכָה יֹאמַר - ve'im-kakhah yomar):
  • וְ (ve): The Hebrew conjunction can mean "and" or "but." Here, "but" highlights the contrast with David's previous hope of God's favor, introducing an alternative and harder possibility.
  • אִם (im): "if," introducing a strong conditional clause. David is genuinely contemplating a negative divine outcome, not just posturing.
  • כָּכָה (kakhah): "thus" or "so," indicating a specific form of address from God.
  • יֹאמַר (yomar): "He will say" or "He says." This is a divine utterance. David personifies God as directly speaking this potentially damning judgment. It signifies God's direct agency and communication of His will.
• 'I have no delight in you,' (לֹא חָפַצְתִּי בָךְ - lo chafatzti bach):
  • לֹא (lo): A definitive "no" or "not," conveying absolute negation.
  • חָפַצְתִּי (chafatzti) from root חָפֵץ (chafetz): To "delight in," "take pleasure in," "desire," or "have special favor/covenant love for." This word denotes more than mere liking; it indicates a deep affection, pleasure, and often carries the nuance of divine choosing or favor. When God "delights" in someone, it signifies blessing and purpose (e.g., God's delight in His servant in Isa 42:1). Its absence (no delight) for David would mean withdrawal of divine favor, protection, and potentially kingship itself, much as it was withdrawn from Saul (1 Sam 15:23). David considers this potential rejection as God’s ultimate decision.
  • בָךְ (bach): "in you," directly addressing David, making the potential rejection profoundly personal.
• behold, here I am; (הִנֵּנִי - hinneni):
  • הִנֵּנִי (hinneni): "Behold me," or "Here I am." This is a significant biblical phrase expressing complete availability, readiness, submission, and often, sacrificial self-offering. It conveys a posture of unreserved obedience, no matter the command or consequence. David presents himself entirely to God, stripped of all claims. It means, "I am yours to do with as You please, for better or worse."
• let Him do to me what seems good to Him. (יַעֲשֶׂה לִּי כַּאֲשֶׁר טוֹב בְּעֵינָיו - ya'aseh li ka'asher tov be'einav):
  • יַעֲשֶׂה (ya'aseh) from root עָשָׂה (asah): "He will do," "He may do," indicating an active and purposeful execution of God's will. It shows David recognizes God's agency.
  • לִּי (li): "to me," again, a direct and personal surrender to the consequences.
  • כַּאֲשֶׁר (ka'asher): "as that," or "according as." It sets the condition or manner.
  • טוֹב (tov): "good," "right," "pleasing." Here it is defined from God's divine perspective. David acknowledges that whatever God deems "good" in His eyes, will be so, regardless of how it impacts David personally or appears to human eyes. It speaks to God's inherent righteousness and perfect wisdom.
  • בְּעֵינָיו (be'einav): "in His eyes." This emphasizes that the judgment of what is "good" belongs exclusively to God. David places his fate entirely within God's wise and just judgment, trusting in the divine perspective above his own desire for restoration.

• Word-group analysis:
• "But if He says thus, 'I have no delight in you'": This phrase highlights David's spiritual maturity in acknowledging the possibility of divine displeasure and judgment. Unlike many ancient Near Eastern kings who presumed divine favor, David humbly recognizes his fallibility and the real potential for God to withdraw His unique favor, perhaps due to his past sins (Bathsheba, Uriah). This admission reveals profound self-awareness and acceptance of God's justice.
• "behold, here I am; let Him do to me what seems good to Him": This part signifies David's absolute surrender and trust. The hinneni expresses availability and a complete relinquishment of control. It demonstrates that David's faith is not conditional on receiving desired outcomes but rests on God's sovereignty and His definition of "good." He prioritizes God's will and wisdom above his own life, kingdom, or comfort, presenting himself as a ready vessel for God's purposes, even if those purposes involve suffering or destruction for himself. This is the hallmark of true faith.

2 Samuel 15 26 Bonus section

This verse serves as a crucial theological statement within David’s life and biblical narrative.

• Contrast with Saul: It starkly contrasts David's humble submission with the behavior of King Saul, who clung to his position and disobeyed God's commands (1 Sam 15). David here understands that true kingship is dependent on God’s enduring pleasure, not human effort or cunning.
• Christological Foreshadowing: David’s posture "let Him do to me what seems good to Him" echoes the perfect submission of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, "not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42), highlighting a deep spiritual kinship in their commitment to the Father's will despite impending suffering.
• Ark Theology: David's command for the Ark to return reinforces that God's presence and power are not contained in religious objects or manipulable by human action. The Ark's function is dependent on God's free will, not human possession of it. God does not need to be coerced or taken into exile; His will alone determines destiny.
• Growth from Sin: This scene is often interpreted as a demonstration of David's profound spiritual growth following his sins with Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Sam 11-12). His prior presumption and abuse of power are replaced by a raw, humble dependence on God's grace and judgment.

2 Samuel 15 26 Commentary

2 Samuel 15:26 encapsulates David’s remarkable spiritual humility and unwavering trust in God amidst an overwhelming crisis. Facing the usurpation of his throne by his own son and the threat to his very life, David doesn't cling to earthly power or presumptuously demand divine intervention through the Ark. Instead, he prepares himself for the worst possible divine verdict: that God has withdrawn His delight from him. Yet, even in anticipating this, his response is not despair but complete submission: "behold, here I am; let Him do to me what seems good to Him." This demonstrates a profound understanding of God's sovereignty and righteousness, acknowledging God's right to orchestrate events according to His own perfect wisdom and justice. David’s willingness to surrender all control and accept God's judgment, whether it leads to restoration or ruin, stands as a testament to radical faith that honors God's authority above all else. This moment showcases a David who has grown through past failures, exhibiting deep repentance and total reliance on the divine will, finding his peace in God's ultimate goodness even in adversity.