2 Samuel 16:19 kjv
And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
2 Samuel 16:19 nkjv
Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence."
2 Samuel 16:19 niv
Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve the son? Just as I served your father, so I will serve you."
2 Samuel 16:19 esv
And again, whom should I serve? Should it not be his son? As I have served your father, so I will serve you."
2 Samuel 16:19 nlt
"And anyway, why shouldn't I serve you? Just as I was your father's adviser, now I will be your adviser!"
2 Samuel 16 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 15:32-37 | When David came to the summit... Hushai the Archite came to meet him... David said, "If you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'I will be your servant...'..." | David's command for Hushai to infiltrate Absalom's court. |
| 2 Sam 17:5-14 | Absalom said, "Now call Hushai... let us hear what he says." Hushai said to Absalom... "the counsel of Ahithophel is not good..." | Hushai's successful counter-counsel. |
| 2 Sam 15:24-29 | Zadok also came, and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark... The king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city..." | Zadok and Abiathar's steadfast loyalty and obedience. |
| 2 Sam 17:15-16 | Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar the priests, "Thus and so did Ahithophel counsel Absalom... Now therefore send quickly and tell David..." | Hushai communicating intelligence through the priests. |
| Ps 3:1 | O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me. | David's distress and opposition during his flight. |
| Ps 41:9 | Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. | The pain of betrayal, reflecting Ahithophel's actions. |
| Prov 20:18 | Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. | Emphasizes the importance of counsel in strategy. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. | Highlights the value of multiple, wise counselors. |
| Jer 3:15 | "And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding." | Priests as spiritual leaders and counselors. |
| Matt 10:16 | "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves." | Wisdom and strategic cunning in dangerous situations. |
| 1 Cor 1:20 | Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? | God's power to nullify worldly wisdom (Ahithophel's). |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. | God's sovereign orchestration even in adversity. |
| Isa 44:25 | who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners; who turns wise men back and makes their knowledge foolish; | God thwarting the plans of the seemingly wise. |
| Hab 2:20 | But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. | God's ultimate sovereignty and control. |
| Gen 45:7 | "God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors." | Divine purpose in apparent setback or exile. |
| Luke 22:3-6 | Then Satan entered into Judas... He went away and conferred with the chief priests... how he might betray him... | Parallel of conspiracy and betrayal (Judas to Absalom). |
| Acts 4:27-28 | "for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus... to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined..." | God's sovereign plan unfolding amidst human rebellion. |
| 2 Sam 20:4-10 | Joab feigning a greeting to Amasa while striking him dead. | Example of strategic deception used in times of conflict. |
| Job 5:12-13 | He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success... He catches the wise in their own craftiness... | God's intervention to counteract cunning human schemes. |
| Ps 33:10 | The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. | Divine sovereignty over human strategies. |
| 2 Cor 1:12 | For our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity... | Contrast to the strategic deception for righteous ends. |
| Ps 121:8 | The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. | God's protection during times of movement and peril. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God... | Implied defiance of authority in Absalom's rebellion. |
2 Samuel 16 verses
2 Samuel 16 19 Meaning
This verse captures the genuine surprise and concern of the high priests Zadok and Abiathar when they encounter Hushai the Archite remaining in Jerusalem, rather than accompanying King David who is fleeing from Absalom's rebellion. Their direct question reveals their understanding of Hushai's well-known loyalty and his usual role as a close confidant and counselor to the king, making his presence a puzzling deviation from expected protocol during such a crisis. This inquiry strategically sets the stage for Hushai's critical role as David's loyal, covert agent against Absalom.
2 Samuel 16 19 Context
This verse occurs amidst King David's desperate flight from Jerusalem, instigated by his son Absalom's rebellion. Chapter 16 opens with Ziba's false accusations against Mephibosheth, followed by Shimei's curse upon David, both events adding to the king's profound humiliation. As David progresses from Jerusalem, a pivotal meeting takes place (2 Sam 15:32-37) where his loyal friend Hushai the Archite intercepts him. Recognizing Hushai's steadfast allegiance, David strategically commands him to return to Jerusalem and act as a covert agent to infiltrate Absalom's court and deliberately thwart the potentially disastrous counsel of Ahithophel, who had defected to Absalom. Immediately following David's instructions and Hushai's agreement, Zadok and Abiathar—two key high priests who had initially sought to follow David with the Ark of the Covenant—are instructed by David to return to the city themselves, with their sons, to gather intelligence. Thus, when Zadok and Abiathar encounter Hushai in Jerusalem, their question in verse 19 naturally flows from their understanding of David's desperate situation and Hushai's known devotion, setting the narrative stage for Hushai's implementation of David's crucial strategy.
2 Samuel 16 19 Word analysis
- Then (Heb. Wa-yomar): Connects this moment to the immediate preceding events, signaling a direct conversational development after David's instructions for Hushai to return.
- Zadok (Heb. Tsadowq, "righteous"): One of David's two faithful high priests. His consistent loyalty to David is a counterpoint to the widespread rebellion.
- and Abiathar (Heb. w'Ebyathar, "my father is excellent"): The other principal high priest, sharing in Zadok's loyalty at this stage, having also initially intended to follow David with the ark.
- said (Heb. wayyō'merû): A plural verb, indicating both priests conveyed the question, highlighting their shared confusion and concern.
- to Hushai (Heb. 'el Ḥûšay): Hushai was known as "David's friend" (re'eh), a term denoting a deep personal confidant and counselor. His identity is key to the surprise expressed.
- "Why (Heb. lāmāh): An interrogative seeking explanation, conveying their genuine puzzlement regarding Hushai's unexpected presence in Jerusalem rather than with David.
- are you not (Heb. lō'-'attâ): The negative "not" coupled with the second person pronoun emphasizes that Hushai's actions are contrary to what they expected of such a loyal servant.
- going with (Heb. hôlēḵ 'et, lit. "walking with"): Implies active accompaniment and unwavering solidarity, particularly critical during a flight from rebellion.
- the king?" (Heb. ham-meleḵ): Refers specifically to David, asserting his legitimate title and their allegiance, despite the chaos of Absalom's revolt.
- "Zadok and Abiathar said to Hushai": This phrase establishes the interaction between key loyal figures around David, setting the stage for crucial communication regarding David's strategic plans. Their religious authority adds weight to the questioning.
- "Why are you not going with the king?": This pointed question encapsulates the surprising turn of events from an external perspective. It highlights Hushai's perceived divergence from duty, yet subtly paves the way for the revelation of his secret, crucial mission. It underscores the priests' loyalty by their expectation that a king's friend would be with him in tribulation.
2 Samuel 16 19 Bonus section
- The "Friend of the King" Title: Hushai is explicitly called "David's friend" (re'eh, 2 Sam 15:37). This was a recognized court position or honorific in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, often involving privileged access and trusted counsel. The title deepens the priests' expectation of Hushai's constant presence with David, highlighting the gravity of his mission to feign defection.
- Divine Orchestration in Adversity: The interaction highlights the hidden hand of God at work. The seeming disorder of David's flight and the fragmented counsel against him are ultimately under divine control. God's purpose to "frustrate the good counsel of Ahithophel" (2 Sam 17:14) is achieved not by direct divine intervention but through the human agency of Hushai, catalyzed by David's astute decision-making.
- The Significance of Loyalty: The persistent loyalty of figures like Zadok, Abiathar, and Hushai, amidst widespread defection (including David's own son), serves as a profound theological statement on faithfulness, especially during times of leadership crisis or perceived abandonment. These individuals choose to align with God's anointed despite the immediate dangers.
2 Samuel 16 19 Commentary
This concise inquiry by Zadok and Abiathar to Hushai is far more than a simple question; it serves as a narrative pivot, signaling the activation of King David's intricate counter-strategy. The priests, pillars of fidelity, represent the general assumption of how a loyal "friend of the king" should behave during crisis – by accompanying the monarch. Their surprise at Hushai's presence in Jerusalem is a powerful setup for Hushai's ensuing deception, validating the effectiveness of David's secretive directive. The very asking of the question underscores Hushai's profound loyalty, demonstrating that his staying behind is a calculated move, not an act of defection. It beautifully illustrates how, even amidst confusion and apparent defeat, God's providence often works through human wisdom and courageous obedience to orchestrate unforeseen reversals and deliver His purposes.