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.

2 SAMUEL 15:35KJV
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2 Samuel 15:35 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 15:35 mean?

2 Samuel 15:35 means that David is reminding his friend Hushai that Zadok and Abiathar, who are priests, will be with him in Jerusalem and can help him by passing along any information Hushai hears from the king’s house. David is setting up a way to stay informed about what is happening in Absalom’s court through trusted people.

In this verse, David is speaking to Hushai the Archite as David flees Jerusalem during Absalom’s rebellion. David tells Hushai to return to the city and act as a secret helper, using Zadok and Abiathar (the priests) as messengers. This arrangement lets David receive news from inside the city, even while he is in exile.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 15:35

  • כֹּהֲנִים (kohanim; priests): This word means priests, referring to Zadok and Abiathar’s official religious roles. Their position gave them access to the king’s house and authority, making them ideal for passing messages without raising suspicion.
  • דָּבָר (davar; thing): This word is often used for “matter” or “word.” Here, it means any information or news Hushai might hear, showing that David wants to know everything happening in the king’s house.
  • שָׁמַע (shama; hear): This verb means to listen or hear. David is instructing Hushai to pay close attention to what he hears in Absalom’s court, emphasizing the importance of gathering reliable information.
  • נָגַד (nagad; tell): This verb means to report or make known. David wants Hushai to actively communicate any news to Zadok and Abiathar, not just passively observe.

Why 2 Samuel 15:35 matters

  • This verse shows how David uses trusted relationships and careful planning to stay informed during a crisis, rather than relying on force alone.
  • It highlights the important role of Zadok and Abiathar as both religious leaders and political allies, showing how spiritual and practical concerns often overlapped in ancient Israel.
  • The verse connects to the larger story of Absalom’s rebellion, helping readers understand how David managed to keep hope and strategy alive even while on the run.

Where else these words appear

“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 15:29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
  • 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.