2 Samuel 15:27

The king said also unto Zadok the priest, [Art not] thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

The king {H4428} said {H559} also unto Zadok {H6659} the priest {H3548}, Art not thou a seer {H7200}? return {H7725} into the city {H5892} in peace {H7965}, and your two {H8147} sons {H1121} with you, Ahimaaz {H290} thy son {H1121}, and Jonathan {H3083} the son {H1121} of Abiathar {H54}.

The king then said to Tzadok the cohen, "Do you see? Return to the city in peace, your two sons with you - Achima'atz your own son and Y'honatan the son of Evyatar.

The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace—you with your son Ahimaaz, and Abiathar with his son Jonathan.

The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art thou not a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

Commentary

2 Samuel 15:27 captures a pivotal moment in King David's life as he flees Jerusalem from his son Absalom's rebellion. In this verse, David instructs Zadok the priest to return to the city, recognizing Zadok's crucial role and spiritual discernment.

Context

This verse is situated during David's hurried evacuation from Jerusalem. As David and his loyal followers depart, Zadok the priest, along with Abiathar and their sons Ahimaaz and Jonathan, bring the Ark of the Covenant out of the city, intending to accompany David. However, David, demonstrating remarkable faith and strategic thinking even in crisis, instructs them to return the Ark to its place in Jerusalem. He believes that if God is pleased with him, He will bring him back to the city and allow him to see the Ark again (2 Samuel 15:25). Verse 27 specifically details David's charge to Zadok, emphasizing his unique spiritual capacity.

Key Themes

  • Faith in God's Sovereignty: David's decision to send the Ark back to Jerusalem, rather than taking it as a talisman, reflects his profound trust in God's ultimate control over the situation. He relies on God's will, not on the physical presence of the Ark.
  • Strategic Leadership: Despite his distress, David remains a shrewd leader. He sends Zadok and his sons back into the heart of the rebellion to serve as intelligence gatherers, communicating vital information back to him (2 Samuel 17:15). This demonstrates his active approach to overcoming the crisis.
  • The Role of the Priesthood: Zadok's position as a priest is not merely ceremonial; David acknowledges his spiritual insight by asking, "Art not thou a seer?" This highlights the prophetic and discerning aspect of the priestly office, making Zadok an ideal choice for this sensitive mission.
  • Loyalty and Trust: The willingness of Zadok, Abiathar, and their sons to risk their lives by returning to Jerusalem for David's cause underscores their unwavering loyalty to the king and their commitment to God's anointed.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Art not thou a seer?" translates from the Hebrew halo ro'eh attah (הֲלֹא רֹאֶה אַתָּה). The term ro'eh (seer) refers to one who sees or perceives, often implying prophetic insight or the ability to discern God's will. It was an early title for a prophet (e.g., 1 Samuel 9:9). David's question is rhetorical, affirming Zadok's recognized capacity for spiritual discernment and his role as a trusted confidant who could perceive the true state of affairs and God's hand in them, making him suitable for gathering intelligence.

Practical Application

This verse offers valuable lessons for believers today. It teaches us the importance of:

  • Faith in Adversity: Like David, we are called to trust God's plan even when circumstances are dire, releasing control and relying on His sovereignty.
  • Discerning Leadership: Leaders, both spiritual and secular, benefit from seeking and valuing those with spiritual insight and discernment, especially in times of crisis.
  • Active Obedience: Faith is not passive; it often involves strategic action and utilizing the gifts and loyalties of those around us for God's purposes.
  • The Value of Loyalty: The steadfastness of Zadok and his sons serves as an example of faithfulness to one's calling and to those God has placed in authority.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 9:9 (5 votes)

    (Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for [he that is] now [called] a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

  • 2 Samuel 17:17 (5 votes)

    Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed by Enrogel; for they might not be seen to come into the city: and a wench went and told them; and they went and told king David.

  • 1 Chronicles 25:5 (2 votes)

    All these [were] the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.

  • 2 Samuel 15:36 (2 votes)

    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 15:34 (2 votes)

    But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; [as] I [have been] thy father's servant hitherto, so [will] I now also [be] thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.

  • 2 Samuel 24:11 (2 votes)

    For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,