2 Samuel 15:36 kjv
Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
2 Samuel 15:36 nkjv
Indeed they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son; and by them you shall send me everything you hear."
2 Samuel 15:36 niv
Their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with anything you hear."
2 Samuel 15:36 esv
Behold, their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son, and by them you shall send to me everything you hear."
2 Samuel 15:36 nlt
and they will send their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan to tell me what is going on."
2 Samuel 15 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 15:27 | "Go back to the city, you and Ahimaaz your son and Jonathan..." | David sending Zadok, Abiathar, and their sons back to gather intel. |
| 2 Sam 15:32 | "And it came to pass, when David was come to the top of the mount... Hushai..." | Hushai's strategic meeting with David. |
| 2 Sam 15:34 | "but you return to the city and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant’..." | Hushai's mission as a spy for David. |
| 2 Sam 15:37 | "So Hushai, David’s friend, came into the city; and Absalom came into Jerusalem." | Hushai successfully infiltrates Absalom's court. |
| 2 Sam 17:15-16 | "Then Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar the priests, 'Thus and thus Ahithophel advised... send quickly... and tell David...'" | Hushai sending the crucial message about Ahithophel's counsel. |
| 2 Sam 17:17 | "Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were waiting by En Rogel... a servant girl came and told them..." | The messenger network in action, fulfilling 15:36. |
| 2 Sam 17:18 | "Nevertheless, a lad saw them and told Absalom: but they both went away quickly..." | The dangers and urgency of the message delivery. |
| 2 Sam 17:21 | "When they had gone, they came up out of the well and went and told King David..." | Ahimaaz and Jonathan delivering the intel. |
| Deut 23:14 | "For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give up your enemies..." | God's presence in warfare and delivering His people. |
| 1 Sam 23:2-4 | "And David inquired of the LORD... Shall I go and strike the Philistines? And the LORD said..." | David's reliance on divine guidance and intelligence in conflict. |
| Prov 11:14 | "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety." | The importance of good counsel and intelligence for success. |
| Prov 15:22 | "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." | Reinforces the need for sound advice and strategy. |
| Prov 20:18 | "Plans are established by counsel; By wise counsel wage war." | Underscores wisdom and strategy in warfare. |
| Ps 37:23 | "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD..." | God sovereignly guiding David's path even amidst rebellion. |
| Ps 55:12-14 | "For it is not an enemy... but you, a man my equal, my companion and my friend..." | Highlights the treachery faced by David, emphasizing the need for loyal agents. |
| Ps 121:7-8 | "The LORD shall preserve you from all evil... The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in..." | God's protection over David during his flight and need for information. |
| Matt 10:16 | "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." | Jesus' instruction to disciples on discretion and wisdom in hostile environments. |
| Luke 10:3 | "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves." | Similar concept of facing opposition with wisdom. |
| Eph 5:15-16 | "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time..." | General principle of strategic living, relevant to David's need for caution. |
| Neh 6:10-12 | "When I went into the house of Shemaiah... who was confined at home; and he said, 'Let us meet together in the house of God...' But I perceived that God had not sent him..." | Nehemiah's discernment against deceptive counsel, akin to David's reliance on trusted informants. |
| Gen 41:33 | "Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt." | Example of a ruler needing wise and reliable people. |
| 1 Chr 27:32 | "Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, a man of insight, and a scribe." | Jonathan's (different one) role as a trusted counselor for David. |
2 Samuel 15 verses
2 Samuel 15 36 Meaning
2 Samuel 15:36 details David's strategic directive to Hushai, his loyal friend and double agent, regarding the vital communication channel for intelligence. Hushai is instructed to use the two sons of the high priests, Ahimaaz (son of Zadok) and Jonathan (son of Abiathar), as the trusted messengers to transmit every piece of information Hushai gathers from Absalom's court back to David. This establishes a critical espionage network enabling David to counter Absalom's rebellion effectively.
2 Samuel 15 36 Context
This verse is spoken by King David from his position of vulnerability, fleeing Jerusalem due to Absalom's rebellion (2 Samuel 15:13-37). David has just commanded Zadok and Abiathar, the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant, to return the Ark to Jerusalem. While sending them back, he also establishes a critical intelligence-gathering operation. Hushai, David's trusted friend (and counselor, 2 Sam 15:37), has offered to feign loyalty to Absalom, thus becoming a double agent within Absalom's inner circle. This verse outlines how Hushai is to communicate with David. It underscores David's reliance on both divine providence (Ark returned, God frustrating Ahithophel's counsel) and human ingenuity, particularly his network of loyal servants and the strategic use of communication. The context is one of intense political turmoil, betrayal, and a desperate struggle for the throne, where information is paramount for survival.
2 Samuel 15 36 Word analysis
- "Behold" (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, hinneh): An interjection used to draw attention to what is about to be said, signaling the importance and urgency of the following information or instruction. It acts as an eye-opener.
- "their two sons": Refers directly to Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son. The "their" explicitly links them to the two high priests, emphasizing their lineage and perhaps the trust placed in them due to their fathers' roles and loyalty.
- "are with them there": Indicates their immediate availability and proximity to Zadok and Abiathar in Jerusalem, implying they are part of the priests' household or retinue and accessible for the mission.
- "Ahimaaz, Zadok's son": Ahimaaz is known for his speed as a runner (2 Sam 18:19-29). His role here as a messenger highlights the value placed on swift and reliable communication. He is of the priestly line of Eleazar through Zadok.
- "and Jonathan, Abiathar's son": Jonathan is also mentioned as a swift and reliable messenger (2 Sam 17:17). He belongs to the priestly line of Ithamar through Abiathar. Both represent the trusted inner circle linked to the religious authority.
- "and by them": Signifies that Ahimaaz and Jonathan are the means or conduits through which the intelligence is to be sent. They are the designated, trusted couriers, ensuring security and discretion in transmission.
- "you shall send": A direct command from David to Hushai. It is a specific instruction to implement the established communication line. The future tense implies a standing order for ongoing intelligence.
- "to me": Specifies the recipient: King David himself. This emphasizes the direct line of intelligence and its personal importance to David's leadership and survival.
- "everything you hear": A comprehensive mandate. Hushai is not to filter or selectively report. Every piece of information, rumor, plan, or development from Absalom's camp is deemed critical and must be relayed without omission, reflecting the urgency and the high stakes.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Behold, their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son": This grouping highlights the identification of the messengers. It specifies not just "sons," but "these particular sons," reinforcing their known identity, their connection to the high priesthood (symbolizing divine backing for David), and their direct availability for this vital role. This immediate presence is key for quick action.
- "and by them you shall send to me": This phrase clearly establishes the method and recipient of the intelligence. It designates Ahimaaz and Jonathan as the exclusive and trusted medium, underlining the sensitive nature of the information. The imperative nature ("you shall send") demonstrates David's authority and his urgent need for constant updates.
- "everything you hear": This phrase emphasizes the breadth and necessity of complete intelligence. In warfare, incomplete information can be disastrous. David demands total transparency and vigilance from Hushai, illustrating his deep reliance on this intelligence to navigate the treacherous situation.
2 Samuel 15 36 Bonus section
The entire plan orchestrated in 2 Samuel 15, starting with David sending Hushai back to Jerusalem and tasking Zadok and Abiathar, is an example of divine orchestration. David, under immense pressure, makes decisions that, in retrospect, perfectly align with God's intention to defeat Ahithophel's counsel (2 Sam 15:31; 17:14) and preserve His anointed king. Hushai, designated as David's "friend" (2 Sam 15:37), plays a role reminiscent of a royal 'counselor' but here operates as an insider operative. The danger of this role cannot be overstated, as discovery would mean death for Hushai and potentially his messengers. The willingness of Ahimaaz and Jonathan to serve in this perilous capacity highlights their profound loyalty to David and, implicitly, their understanding of God's covenant with David. This network underscores the spiritual dimension of David's reign, where the line of priests is deeply intertwined with the stability and security of the king.
2 Samuel 15 36 Commentary
2 Samuel 15:36 marks a critical juncture in David's escape from Absalom, revealing a king who, though deeply distressed and in flight, remains remarkably astute and proactive in devising a strategic counter-plan. David's foresight in setting up this intelligence network is not merely human ingenuity; it is a clear demonstration of God's providence at work, frustrating the counsel of Ahithophel and ultimately ensuring David's safety. By instructing Hushai to use Ahimaaz and Jonathan, David taps into his most trusted circle, utilizing the unique access and loyalty of the priestly families. These young men are not chosen at random; they are reliable, swift, and unlikely to be suspected given their familial ties to the respected high priests. The mandate to report "everything you hear" signifies the desperate need for comprehensive information in a high-stakes, fluid situation. This communication lifeline became instrumental in alerting David to Ahithophel's dangerous counsel (2 Sam 17:15-16), providing David with the crucial time needed to escape. Thus, this verse encapsulates divine wisdom working through human means, demonstrating how careful planning and trusted communication are vital even when relying on God's ultimate sovereignty. It highlights that faithfulness to God does not negate the need for practical wisdom and strategy.