2 Samuel 15:27 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.
2 Samuel 15:27 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.
2 Samuel 15:27 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.
2 Samuel 15:27 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.
2 Samuel 15:27 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.
2 Samuel 15 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 9:9 | (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spoke: “Come, let us go to the seer”...) | Explains the role of a "seer" as one consulted for divine inquiry. |
| 2 Sam 15:25-26 | Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city..." | David's initial instruction regarding the Ark, preceding this verse. |
| 2 Sam 15:32-36 | And when David came to the summit where God was worshiped... Hushai... Ahimaaz and Jonathan will be there with their two sons... | David's plan for intelligence, using priests' sons as messengers, aligning with v. 27. |
| 2 Sam 17:15-22 | Then Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar the priests what Ahithophel had advised... | Fulfillment of the messenger role by Ahimaaz and Jonathan. |
| Num 10:35-36 | So it was, whenever the ark set out... "Rise up, O LORD! Let Your enemies be scattered..." | The Ark's primary role as God's presence, not a mere war charm; aligns with returning it. |
| 1 Sam 4:3-11 | And when the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the LORD defeated us... Bring the ark..." | Contrasts reliance on the Ark as a good luck charm with David's decision to return it to Jerusalem. |
| Ps 3:1-8 | O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me... | David's posture of seeking God amidst rebellion, similar to his trust in God's providence over the Ark's physical presence. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. | Highlights the wisdom of seeking strategic counsel and intelligence, exemplified by David's use of Zadok's sons. |
| Jer 38:27 | ...they had nothing to say; for the conversation had not been overheard. | Example of crucial, clandestine communication. |
| John 18:36 | Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world..." | Illustrates a greater king whose true authority is not physical but spiritual, like David trusting God's will over a physical symbol. |
| Matt 10:16 | “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." | Relates to the strategic wisdom of David in sending Zadok and his sons to gather intelligence, balancing caution and innocence. |
| Rom 13:1-7 | Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities... Render therefore to all their due... | Addresses obedience to the established authority, even during civil unrest, highlighting the difficult choice of loyalty. |
| Isa 26:3 | You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. | Connects to David's trust in God despite apparent vulnerability, sending Zadok back "in peace." |
| Psa 23:4 | Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil... | David's unwavering faith in God's protection during crisis, underlying his calm instructions. |
| Gen 49:10 | The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes... | The Messianic promise of a king from Judah, echoing David's secure, divinely ordained kingship despite temporary overthrow. |
| Ezra 7:6 | This Ezra came up from Babylon, who was a skilled scribe in the Law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. | Priests and scribes in leadership, entrusted with important tasks, mirroring Zadok's role. |
| Luke 10:3 | “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves." | A call for wisdom and strategic action in dangerous situations, much like Zadok's mission. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-17 | Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake... | General principle of obedience to authorities, relevant to the dilemma faced by David's loyal subjects. |
| Phil 4:7 | And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. | Divine peace during distress, applicable to the idea of returning "in peace" despite the chaotic circumstances. |
| Ps 42:2 | My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? | Highlights the deep longing for God's presence, reflected in David's sending the Ark back, trusting God rather than requiring its physical proximity. |
2 Samuel 15 verses
2 Samuel 15 27 Meaning
This verse records King David's command to Zadok the priest during his flight from Absalom's rebellion. David recognizes Zadok's capacity as a "seer," implying not merely a priest but one capable of receiving divine insight and observation. He instructs Zadok to return the Ark of the Covenant, which was accompanying David, to Jerusalem. The order includes Zadok's two sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, who will serve as vital intelligence gatherers and messengers from within the city, crucial for David's survival and strategic planning against Absalom's takeover. The phrase "in peace" signifies a command for a safe return and anticipates a time when divine order would be restored.
2 Samuel 15 27 Context
This verse is situated in 2 Samuel 15, which marks the beginning of Absalom's open rebellion against his father, King David. David has been forced to flee Jerusalem as Absalom gathers widespread support and prepares to take the city. As David makes his way out, the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, is brought out with the intention of accompanying him. However, David makes the crucial decision to send the Ark back to Jerusalem, stating his belief that if he finds favor in the eyes of the Lord, God will bring him back to see it again. He then specifically instructs Zadok, one of the high priests, to return to the city. This particular instruction in verse 27 then outlines a key strategic move for intelligence gathering, highlighting David's reliance on God's providence, his priestly loyalists, and strategic cunning to survive the revolt.
2 Samuel 15 27 Word analysis
Then the king said to Zadok the priest,: This sets the stage, identifying the speaker (David) and the recipient of the command (Zadok, a faithful high priest). David, though fleeing, still maintains his kingly authority and strategic foresight. Zadok is significant as he remains loyal when others (like Ahithophel, David's counsel) defected.
“Are you not a seer?:
- "Are you not": A rhetorical question emphasizing an expected affirmation, indicating David's understanding and acknowledgment of Zadok's spiritual and practical capabilities.
- "seer" (רֹאֶה - ro'eh): In ancient Israel, a "seer" was someone who "saw" or perceived divine things, a prophet, often consulted for guidance. While Zadok is primarily known as a priest (descended from Aaron through Eleazar, see 1 Kgs 2:35; 1 Chr 6:8), this appellation suggests David perceived him as having spiritual insight beyond routine priestly duties, perhaps capable of discerning God's will or understanding situations from a divine perspective. This implies David trusted Zadok with more than just ritual responsibilities, recognizing his spiritual discernment for strategic purposes. The term connects Zadok's priestly office to a prophetic function.
Return to the city:
- "Return" (שׁוּב - shuv): A direct command, implying a turnaround from their current course of fleeing. It signals a strategic re-insertion into the very heart of the conflict.
- "the city" (הָעִיר - ha'ir): Specifically Jerusalem, the capital and now the center of Absalom's rebellion. This highlights the dangerous but vital nature of the mission. Sending the priests back to the city positions them as key intelligence assets in enemy territory.
in peace:
- "in peace" (בְּשָׁלוֹם - beshalom): Implies not just a physical return without harm but also a state of well-being and security that God would grant. It is an expression of David's faith that God would protect them and, ultimately, restore order. It might also be a coded instruction, indicating their mission's discreet, non-combative nature for now.
with your two sons, Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.:
- "your two sons": Although Abiathar was another high priest who initially left with David, only Zadok's son, Ahimaaz, and Abiathar's son, Jonathan, are specified. This underlines their specific role.
- Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan the son of Abiathar: These two young men are explicitly identified. Their youth and physical agility made them suitable as runners and messengers (as seen in 2 Sam 17:17-22). Their association with the priests provided them a legitimate reason to be in Jerusalem, under the pretense of ministering. This formed the core of David's intelligence network, gathering information from Hushai and bringing it back to David. Their specific lineage also underscores the trust David places in the loyal priestly families.
2 Samuel 15 27 Bonus section
The distinction between Zadok and Abiathar (though Jonathan, Abiathar's son, is included in the plan) is significant. Later, Zadok's lineage secures the priesthood exclusively (1 Kgs 2:27, 35) following Abiathar's deposition by Solomon for supporting Adonijah. This verse hints at Zadok's emerging prominence and faithfulness to David, which would later be solidified. David's choice to return the Ark symbolizes his understanding that God's power is not confined to a physical object but transcends space and circumstance. It's a statement of humility and dependence, affirming God's sovereignty over the situation. This episode establishes a precedent for discreet, behind-the-scenes actions in the kingdom's interest, carried out by those loyal to God's chosen king.
2 Samuel 15 27 Commentary
2 Samuel 15:27 showcases King David's profound trust in God and his strategic wisdom during a time of extreme vulnerability. By sending Zadok, the priest, and the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, David demonstrates that his confidence rests not in the Ark as a good-luck charm (a mistake Israel made in 1 Sam 4), but in God Himself, who would work through divine providence. His designation of Zadok as a "seer" is pivotal, acknowledging a spiritual discernment in the priest beyond mere ritual duty, making him a fitting conduit for divine intelligence. The strategic enlistment of Zadok's and Abiathar's sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, for intelligence gathering highlights David's astute leadership in cultivating a crucial communication network within enemy territory. This concise verse therefore captures David's deep faith, his reliance on loyal, spiritually-attuned servants, and his prudent approach to warfare through intelligence.