2 Samuel 15 35

2 Samuel 15:35 kjv

And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

2 Samuel 15:35 nkjv

And do you not have Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? Therefore it will be that whatever you hear from the king's house, you shall tell to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

2 Samuel 15:35 niv

Won't the priests Zadok and Abiathar be there with you? Tell them anything you hear in the king's palace.

2 Samuel 15:35 esv

Are not Zadok and Abiathar the priests with you there? So whatever you hear from the king's house, tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.

2 Samuel 15:35 nlt

Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, will be there. Tell them about the plans being made in the king's palace,

2 Samuel 15 verses

2 Samuel 15 35 Meaning

This verse outlines a critical part of David's strategic plan to counter Absalom's rebellion. David instructs Hushai, his loyal agent within Absalom's court in Jerusalem, to utilize Zadok and Abiathar, the faithful priests, as the sole and trusted intermediaries. All sensitive information originating from the king's house (meaning Absalom's new royal establishment) must be conveyed to these priests, ensuring a secure channel for vital intelligence to reach David, who is in exile.

2 Samuel 15 35 Context

2 Samuel chapter 15 vividly describes the onset of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. Absalom, having shrewdly won the hearts of the people, stages a coup in Hebron, leading to David's swift flight from Jerusalem to avoid open conflict and bloodshed in the holy city. As David leaves, many loyalists accompany him, including the priests Zadok and Abiathar with the Ark of the Covenant. However, David wisely sends the Ark and the priests back to Jerusalem, instructing them to be his eyes and ears within the city. This particular verse, 15:35, solidifies David's crucial strategy. Upon learning that Ahithophel, his former, renowned counselor, has joined Absalom's side, David prays for God to frustrate Ahithophel's counsel. Immediately after this prayer, David encounters Hushai the Archite, who pledges loyalty. Recognizing Hushai's potential, David instructs him to feign allegiance to Absalom and, in doing so, counteract Ahithophel's advice and serve as David's informant. Verse 35 specifically outlines the practical mechanism for transmitting this vital intelligence: through the trusted high priests Zadok and Abiathar.

2 Samuel 15 35 Word analysis

• And behold,: (וְהִנֵּה – vəhinneh) An emphatic particle often used to draw immediate attention to what follows, highlighting its importance or significance. It sets the stage for a critical directive.

• you have there with you: Implies Hushai is in Jerusalem where the priests would also be, facilitating direct access.

• Zadok: (צָדוֹק – Tsadoq) Meaning "righteous." One of the two chief priests during David's reign. He belonged to the line of Eleazar, Aaron's elder son. He remained unwaveringly loyal to David throughout the rebellion and anointed Solomon as king, becoming the prominent priestly figure after Abiathar's removal.

• and Abiathar: (אֶבְיָתָר – Evyathar) Meaning "father of abundance." The other chief priest, descended from Eli through Ahimelech (1 Sam 22:20). Though loyal to David at this point, he would later support Adonijah against Solomon, leading to his demotion (1 Ki 2:26-27), fulfilling the prophecy against Eli's house (1 Sam 2:31-35).

• the priests: (הַכֹּהֲנִים – hakkōhanim) Designates their divine office. As spiritual leaders, they commanded respect and had a natural presence near the Ark and religious activities, making them plausible contacts without raising immediate suspicion as direct agents.

• So whatever word: (וְכָל־דָּבָר – vəḵāl-dāvār) Davar can mean a word, matter, thing, report, or counsel. This phrase emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the information required—any and all relevant intelligence from Absalom's inner circle.

• comes from the king's house,: Refers to Abs Absalom's newly established royal court in Jerusalem, where he was effectively king in David's place. This indicates intelligence from the heart of the enemy's operations.

• you shall tell it to: A direct imperative, establishing the clear chain of command and responsibility for relaying intelligence.

• Zadok and Abiathar the priests: Reiterates them as the trusted and official channel for information, highlighting their central role in David's counter-strategy.

• "Zadok and Abiathar the priests": This grouping of the two principal high priests signifies David's reliance on individuals of spiritual authority and established loyalty, whose positions gave them natural access and reduced suspicion. They are key elements in David's prayer-answered strategic move against Ahithophel's counsel. Their spiritual office makes their communication channel unique and consecrated in God's eyes, providing an implicit contrast to the deceit and betrayal underlying Absalom's coup.

• "whatever word comes from the king's house": This phrase captures the scope of the intelligence-gathering—everything is relevant. It implies not just overt decrees but subtle shifts in plans, counsel, and sentiment within Absalom's command structure, revealing David's desire for comprehensive awareness of his son's operations. This points to the importance of proactive intelligence in the face of conflict.

2 Samuel 15 35 Bonus section

The immediate follow-up to this verse, in 2 Samuel 15:36, introduces Jonathan and Ahimaaz, the sons of Abiathar and Zadok respectively. These young men are designated as the direct messengers to David, establishing a complete chain of communication: Hushai hears, tells the priests, and the priests dispatch their sons to David. This further emphasizes David's meticulous planning and foresight in ensuring that the vital intelligence pipeline was both efficient and secure, critical for any effective counter-insurgency operation. The use of the priests and their sons also highlights the involvement of an established, divinely-sanctioned leadership (the priesthood) in a purely political and military maneuver, underscoring the interconnectedness of spiritual and practical affairs in the ancient Israelite kingdom under a godly king like David.

2 Samuel 15 35 Commentary

2 Samuel 15:35 reveals David's proactive and sophisticated approach to counteracting Absalom's rebellion, underpinned by both faith and shrewd wisdom. Following his fervent prayer for the Lord to frustrate Ahithophel's renowned counsel, David immediately puts a plan into action. This verse outlines a critical operational detail: the secure and reliable communication channel for intelligence gathered by Hushai. David leverages the trusted positions of Zadok and Abiathar, not merely as religious figures, but as key strategic assets. Their priestly roles allowed them a natural and less conspicuous presence within Jerusalem, even as Absalom held the city. This plan demonstrates David's astute judgment in discerning loyal individuals and employing them in capacities that maximize their unique access and trustworthiness. The instruction for all information from "the king's house" to pass through them emphasizes the comprehensiveness and critical nature of this intelligence operation, recognizing that understanding the enemy's counsel and plans is paramount to thwarting them. This intricate network of communication orchestrated by David ultimately plays a pivotal role in preserving his kingdom, demonstrating God's providence at work through human cooperation and loyalty.