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.

2 SAMUEL 15:27KJV
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2 Samuel 15:27 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 15:27 mean?

2 Samuel 15:27 shows King David instructing Zadok the priest to return to Jerusalem peacefully, taking his son Ahimaaz and Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, with him. David refers to Zadok as a "seer," suggesting he trusts Zadok’s insight and wants him to remain in the city as a trusted observer during a time of crisis.

In this verse, David is speaking to Zadok during Absalom’s rebellion, when David is fleeing Jerusalem. Instead of letting Zadok and the priests follow him, David tells them to stay in the city, possibly to act as his eyes and ears. By calling Zadok a "seer," David is recognizing his spiritual discernment and the important role he can play by staying behind.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 15:27

  • "seer" (רֹאֶה, ro’eh): This word means someone who sees, often used for a prophet or someone with spiritual insight. David’s use of this term for Zadok highlights his trust in Zadok’s ability to perceive and understand events, not just perform priestly duties.
  • "peace" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom): David tells Zadok to return "in peace," which in Hebrew carries a sense of wholeness, safety, and well-being. David is not sending Zadok away in disgrace or anger, but with a blessing for his safety and continued welfare.

Why 2 Samuel 15:27 matters

  • This verse clarifies that David did not want all his supporters to flee with him; he strategically placed trusted people like Zadok in Jerusalem to help him from within the city.
  • By calling Zadok a "seer," David is acknowledging the value of spiritual insight alongside political loyalty, showing the importance of both roles during a crisis.
  • The mention of the priests’ sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, sets up their later role as messengers, which becomes important in the unfolding story of David’s return.

Where else these words appear

“Ahimaaz” Hebrew H290 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
  • 2 Samuel 18:19 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.
  • 2 Samuel 18:29 And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.

“Abiathar” Hebrew H54 · used in 28 verses

  • 1 Samuel 22:20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
  • 2 Samuel 15:35 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.
  • 1 Kings 2:22 And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah.

“Zadok” Hebrew H6659 · used in 50 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:17 And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe;
  • 1 Kings 1:38 So Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king David's mule, and brought him to Gihon.
  • 1 Chronicles 24:3 And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.

“Jonathan” Hebrew H3083 · used in 73 verses

  • Judges 18:30 And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.
  • 1 Samuel 20:28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
  • 2 Samuel 9:3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.