2 Samuel 15:25

David Flees Jerusalem · 2 Samuel 15:13–29
Read 2 Samuel 15

Translations

Modern
Then the king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and let me see both it and His dwelling place again.
Traditional
And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:
Literal
And the king said to Zadok, “Carry back the ark of God into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of YHWH, He will bring me back and show me it and His dwelling place.
Latin
Et dixit rex ad Sadoc: Reporta arcam Dei in urbem: si invenero gratiam in oculis Domini, reducet me, et ostendet mihi eam, et tabernaculum suum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and let me see both it and His dwelling place again.

Notes

Return the ark of God: When people fled invasions, they usually took their idols to prevent enemies from capturing them. If a god was captured, rebels might think the gods had abandoned the ruling family. However, the ark was not just an idol or charm (compare 1 Samuel 4:3–11; 5:6–6:9). It was the main object in the sanctuary and symbolized the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel (see Exodus 40:34–35). David allowed the ark to fall into Absalom’s hands on purpose, trusting in God’s grace and promises (2 Samuel 15:26; see 7:8–16) whether or not the ark was with him.

Theme notes and profiles

Absalom David Zadok

Events

Parallels

Psalm 3:1–8

People

Zadok: High priest during the reigns of David and Solomon

Glossary

Absalom David Gilead (Place) Joab Kings, Books of First and Second Naioth Nathan Priests and Levites Proverbs, Book of Sadducees Samuel, Books of First and Second Zadok

Topics

Abiathar: High Priest--Called Ahimelech: Loyal to David when Absalom Rebelled Ark: in the Tabernacle--Called the Ark of the Covenant of God Christian Minister: Non-Partisan in Politics David: King of Israel: David's Flight from Jerusalem Politics: Ministers in Zadok the Priest, a Partisan of David Removed from Jerusalem by Zadok at the Time of Absalom's Revolt, but Returned by Command of David Zadok: Removes the Ark of the Covenant from Jerusalem at the Time of Absalom's Usurpation