2 Samuel 15 29

2 Samuel 15:29 kjv

Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

2 Samuel 15:29 nkjv

Therefore Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem. And they remained there.

2 Samuel 15:29 niv

So Zadok and Abiathar took the ark of God back to Jerusalem and stayed there.

2 Samuel 15:29 esv

So Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem, and they remained there.

2 Samuel 15:29 nlt

So Zadok and Abiathar took the Ark of God back to the city and stayed there.

2 Samuel 15 verses

2 Samuel 15 29 Meaning

This verse signifies a crucial moment of spiritual submission and faith amidst David’s flight from Absalom’s rebellion. Instead of taking the Ark of God as a protective talisman or military standard during his exile, David, through Zadok and Abiathar, sends it back to Jerusalem. This act demonstrates David's trust in God's sovereign protection and His divine plan, rather than relying on a sacred object for perceived power. The priests’ obedience in returning the Ark to its designated place in Jerusalem, and their subsequent staying there, affirms their dedication to their divinely appointed duties and the Ark's rightful resting place, even when the king himself is in flight.

2 Samuel 15 29 Context

2 Samuel chapter 15 narrates the peak of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. Absalom had shrewdly won the hearts of the people of Israel over four years (v.7) and staged a coup in Hebron. When David received news that the hearts of Israel were with Absalom (v.13), he chose to flee Jerusalem with his household and loyal followers to avoid conflict within the city (v.14). As they departed, David was joined by his faithful servants, including Ittai the Gittite, a loyal foreign mercenary. Among those accompanying David were Zadok and Abiathar, the two chief priests, and the Levites carrying the Ark of the Covenant. In verses 25-26, David, displaying deep faith and humility, specifically commanded Zadok to return the Ark to Jerusalem. He declared that if he found favor in the eyes of the Lord, God would bring him back to see both the Ark and God's dwelling place. If not, he was resigned to God's will. Verse 29, therefore, marks the completion of this command, signifying a pivotal moment where David prioritizes God's sovereign control and the Ark's sacred function over its potential use as a good-luck charm or source of strategic power in his hour of need. It highlights his trust that God's presence and protection were not limited to the physical location of the Ark.

2 Samuel 15 29 Word analysis

• So (וַיָּשֻׁב): This conjunction introduces the immediate consequence of David's command in the preceding verses. It denotes the completion of the action desired by the king.
• Zadok (צָד֣וֹק, Tsadōq): A key priest in David's court, from the line of Eleazar, Aaron's son. He represented the line of the high priesthood that would eventually solidify its authority, particularly after Abiathar's removal (1 Kgs 2:27, 35). His presence signifies loyalty to David and his dedication to the Ark and the spiritual welfare of Israel.
• and Abiathar (וַאֲבְיָתָ֖ר, waʾăḇyāṯār): The other prominent high priest, from the line of Ithamar, Aaron's son, and a descendant of Eli. He fled with David from Saul (1 Sam 22:20-23). His inclusion alongside Zadok underscores their shared high priestly office and their joint responsibility in sacred matters.
• carried (וַיָּשִׁ֤יבוּ, wayyāshīḇū): From the Hebrew root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to turn, return," here in the Hiphil causative stem, it means "to cause to return" or "to bring back." It signifies their active role in transporting the Ark. This is a direct act of obedience to David’s earlier instruction, showcasing priestly compliance with the king's righteous command concerning holy things.
• the ark of God (אֲר֥וֹן הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים, ʾărōn hāʾĕlōhîm): The most sacred object in ancient Israel, symbolizing God’s presence among His people, His covenant with them, and His throne. It contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. David’s decision to return it demonstrates his understanding that God's presence is not manipulated by a physical object, but manifested through His sovereign will.
• back to Jerusalem (אֶל־יְרוּשָׁלִַ֑ם, ʾel Yərūshālayim): Jerusalem, established by David as the capital and aspiring religious center, was where the Ark properly belonged. Returning the Ark confirmed Jerusalem’s enduring role as the holy city and place of God's dwelling amidst His people, even if its earthly king was absent.
• and there (וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ שָֽׁם, wayyēšbū shām): Literally "and they sat there" or "they dwelt there." It indicates the establishment of their residence and their adherence to their duty in that specific location.
• they stayed (וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ שָֽׁם, wayyēšbū shām): From the Hebrew root ישׁב (yashav), meaning "to sit, dwell, remain." This emphasizes the permanence of their return and commitment to their priestly functions at the Ark's proper place. It means they remained in Jerusalem to attend to their priestly duties rather than accompany the king further in exile.

• Zadok and Abiathar carried the ark of God: This phrase highlights the divine commission and human responsibility in tending to sacred objects. The Ark, being of immense spiritual significance, required handling by consecrated priests according to the Law, further emphasizing its sanctity and distinguishing it from common items. Their shared responsibility also hints at their differing roles or future trajectories.
• back to Jerusalem: This phrase is significant as Jerusalem was designated by God through David as the focal point for His presence among Israel. The Ark's return symbolized the continued sanctity of the city and reinforced the belief that God's plan for Israel, centered in Jerusalem, remained immutable despite political turmoil.
• and there they stayed: This action speaks volumes about commitment to priestly duty above personal loyalty in an hour of crisis, aligning themselves with God’s established order for His house, not merely the fleeing king. Their remaining in Jerusalem ensures the continued spiritual services connected with the Ark and Temple duties, embodying a deeper faith in God's providence than if they had simply followed David. This sets the stage for their future actions, including providing intelligence to David from within the city.

2 Samuel 15 29 Bonus section

This verse offers an insightful contrast to previous biblical accounts involving the Ark, particularly the battle of Aphek where Israel suffered defeat despite bringing the Ark to the battlefield (1 Sam 4). David, having learned from such experiences, understood that the Ark was a symbol of God's presence, not a good luck charm or a military advantage to be wielded. His decision reveals spiritual maturity, trusting in the "unseen hand" of God’s providence rather than relying on visible tokens. This emphasizes a key Old Testament theological point: true relationship with God is founded on covenant and faith, not on superstitious veneration of sacred objects. Furthermore, the priests staying behind laid the groundwork for their role as informants to David, subtly continuing their service by gathering intelligence from the heart of the rebellion (2 Sam 15:35-36; 17:15-22). This highlights how priestly duty, even when seemingly removed from the immediate action, contributes to God's unfolding plan.

2 Samuel 15 29 Commentary

2 Samuel 15:29 concludes a powerful act of faith by King David in the midst of extreme adversity. When faced with the rebellion of his son Absalom, David made the counter-intuitive decision to send the Ark of God, the symbol of divine presence, back to Jerusalem, rather than taking it with him for protection or symbolic authority. This action underscored a profound theological truth: God’s presence and sovereignty are not contingent upon physical objects or locations that humans can manipulate. Instead, David implicitly declared his trust in God's will and providential care, irrespective of whether the Ark was by his side.

The obedience of Zadok and Abiathar, the two leading priests, in fulfilling this command is equally significant. Their act of "carrying" the Ark "back to Jerusalem" and "staying there" affirms their loyalty not only to David’s righteous command but, more importantly, to the established order of divine worship. They committed to maintaining the sanctity of the holy city and the proper care of the Ark, providing a stable spiritual center for the nation even as its political head was in disarray. This serves as an enduring lesson: true faith prioritizes reliance on God's inherent character and His predetermined purposes, even when it requires relinquishing tangible assurances and submitting to challenging circumstances. It speaks to choosing faithfulness to God's design over pragmatic reliance on symbols.