2 Samuel 15 28

2 Samuel 15:28 kjv

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

2 Samuel 15:28 nkjv

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

2 Samuel 15:28 niv

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

2 Samuel 15:28 esv

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

2 Samuel 15:28 nlt

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

2 Samuel 15 verses

2 Samuel 15 28 Meaning

King David, in exile from Jerusalem due to Absalom's rebellion, instructs his loyal high priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and their sons, to return to the city. His intention is to position himself in a specific, strategically chosen location – the fords of the wilderness – where he can patiently wait. From this vantage point, he anticipates receiving critical intelligence and reports from the priests concerning the developments in Jerusalem and Absalom's plans, enabling him to make informed decisions for future actions.

2 Samuel 15 28 Context

This verse is part of the pivotal narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David (2 Samuel 15-18). Chapter 15 specifically describes Absalom's calculated efforts to steal the hearts of Israel, culminating in his declaration of kingship in Hebron. When news reached David, he wisely decided to flee Jerusalem to avoid direct conflict within the city, preventing bloodshed and damage to the capital. As David flees, several key loyal figures accompany or are sent by him for strategic purposes. Verse 28 specifically details David's instruction to the high priests, Zadok and Abiathar, along with the Levites who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant, after he had commanded them to return the Ark to Jerusalem. His command reveals his strategy: he is establishing a forward operating base where he can await vital intelligence from his allies within Jerusalem before making his next move. The "fords of the wilderness" would likely refer to strategic crossing points over the Jordan River, east of Jerusalem, providing a relative sanctuary and a critical communication link back to the capital. This reflects David's faith, in that he returns the Ark to its place, trusting God to be with him regardless of its physical presence, and his practical wisdom in setting up an intelligence network during a crisis.

2 Samuel 15 28 Word analysis

• See (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An emphatic particle, drawing immediate attention. It signifies urgency, a clear directive, and a pronouncement of David's deliberate intent and plan. It serves to highlight the significance of the following instruction.
• I will wait (וְהִתְמַהְמֵהּוּ - v'hitmahmehu): From the root mahah meaning "to tarry, delay, linger, wait patiently." The Hithpael imperfect tense emphasizes the reflexive and ongoing nature of the action – David will make himself wait, patiently and strategically. This is not passive waiting but a deliberate, disciplined pause, demonstrating David's prudence in a crisis rather than acting impulsively.
• by the fords (בְּעַרְבוֹת - b'arvot): From aravah, meaning "plain," often specifically referring to the Jordan valley, which includes river crossings. Fords (river crossings) are strategically vital points, offering a place for an army to cross and a natural choke-point for communication and movement. It indicates David's strategic foresight to choose a location that offers both security (due to the geographical barrier) and connectivity (for messengers).
• of the wilderness (הַמִּדְבָּר - hammidbar): This specifies the wilderness area often associated with the Jordan River valley, east of Jerusalem and Judah. It's a sparsely populated, rugged region that would offer cover and relative safety for David and his loyalists, while still being accessible for receiving information from the capital. This geographic detail grounds David's actions in historical reality and tactical considerations.
• until a word comes (עַד בּוֹא דָבָר - ad bo davar): "Until the coming of a word/matter." Davar is a broad term meaning "word, thing, matter, report." Here, it specifically denotes intelligence or a report from his inside agents. This phrase emphasizes the dependency on information and David's reactive stance once news is received.
• from you (מֵאִתְּכֶם - me'ittkhem): Clearly designates the priests, Zadok and Abiathar, as the direct source of the intelligence. It underscores David's trust in their loyalty and ability to gather and convey reliable information from within the capital, leveraging their position as priests.
• to inform me (לְהַגִּיד לִי - le'haggid li): From the root nagad, meaning "to tell, report, declare." The infinitive "to inform" states the explicit purpose of their message. It signifies the direct action required – to provide necessary updates that will guide David's future decisions.

Words-group analysis:

• "See, I will wait": This opening phrase conveys David's resolute and active commitment to a deliberate pause. It's not idleness but strategic patience, awaiting a pre-planned intelligence relay, underscoring his disciplined leadership.
• "by the fords of the wilderness": This identifies a critical strategic location. It implies David's understanding of military geography and the importance of secure, accessible staging points for an exiled king relying on a network. The "fords" are crucial for movement and communication, and the "wilderness" offers a degree of isolation and protection.
• "until a word comes from you to inform me": This segment highlights David's complete reliance on his trusted agents for vital intelligence. It showcases the importance of communication channels in times of crisis and his humility in depending on others for information, rather than acting in the dark. It is David's way of demonstrating proactive planning and responsible leadership by making his moves contingent upon accurate intelligence.

2 Samuel 15 28 Bonus section

The account of David sending Zadok and Abiathar back into the city, even allowing them to take their sons (Ahimaaz and Jonathan) who later serve as critical couriers (2 Sam 15:36), underscores the crucial role of a secure communication network in intelligence gathering. This also indicates David's wise separation of the sacred (the Ark and its caretakers) from direct battlefield use; he refused to turn the Ark into a magical war charm (2 Sam 15:25), instead trusting in God's presence as distinct from the Ark's physical location. David's willingness to "wait" aligns with a consistent biblical theme of patience in God's timing, trusting His divine hand even amidst political upheaval. His waiting at the fords can also be seen as an expression of faith—not passivity, but strategic readiness informed by reliance on God to direct his steps, often through human messengers. This particular instruction to wait foreshadows the critical information flow from Hushai via the priests that ultimately thwarts Absalom's plan (2 Sam 17).

2 Samuel 15 28 Commentary

2 Samuel 15:28 succinctly captures David's pragmatic wisdom and reliance on God's providence, even as he faces personal catastrophe. Stripped of his throne and fleeing his rebellious son, David does not descend into despair or act haphazardly. Instead, he demonstrates astute leadership by forming a clear, tactical plan. His instruction to the priests to return to Jerusalem was a calculated risk, leveraging their spiritual office and loyalty to create an invaluable intelligence network within Absalom's court. The "fords of the wilderness" represent not merely a hiding place, but a strategically chosen observation point, enabling David to patiently gather critical information before committing to a decisive course of action. This period of waiting signifies David's trust that God would orchestrate events, even through human agents. It shows that godly wisdom often combines fervent prayer with practical, diligent planning, waiting on the Lord not in idleness but with readiness.

Practical examples:

• A leader facing a crisis pausing to gather data from trusted sources before making a swift, emotional decision.
• An individual making a major life decision (e.g., job change, move) praying for guidance while actively seeking information and counsel.