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2 Samuel 15:25

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Samuel 15:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of Jehovah, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of Jehovah, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation:
2 Samuel 15:25 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Samuel 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
23And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
24And, lo, Zadok also [came], and all the Levites with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God; and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
25And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of Jehovah, he will bring me again, and show me both it, and his habitation:
26but if he say thus, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
27The 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.
28See, I will tarry at the fords of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
← 2 Samuel 15:242 Samuel 15:26 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the king said unto Zadok, carry back the ark of God into the city, etc.] The reason of which is not easy to account for, since being carried back it would fall into the hands of the conspirators; and now the priests were with it to take care of it, and there might be occasion to inquire at it before the Lord; but David thought it being a sacred thing would not be violated by Absalom and his men, and that it would be safest in its own habitation or tabernacle, which David had built for it; for, that the reason of it should be, what Procopius Gazaeus suggests, cannot be given into, that he could not bear to carry about him the law, which accused of adulteries and murders: if I shall find…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Carry back - Out of care and reverence to the ark, which though it might be carried our to a certain place; yet he might justly think unfit to carry it from place to place he knew not whither, and out of respect to the priests, whom, by this means, he thought he should expose to the rage of Absalom, as he had before exposed them to Saul's fury. Habitation - That is, the tabernacle which David had lately built for it, Sa2 6:17, in which the ark, and God, by means hereof, ordinarily dwelt. 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 15:26”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:25 take the Ark of God back: People fleeing invasion normally took their idols to avoid having the items fall into an enemy’s hands. The capture of a god could be interpreted by rebel elements to mean that the gods had abandoned the ruling dynasty. However, the Ark was not a mere idol or talisman (cp. 1 Sam 4:3-11; 5:6–6:9). It was the central object in the sanctuary and represented the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel (see Exod 40:34-35). David intentionally permitted the Ark to fall into Absalom’s hands, trusting God’s grace and promises (2 Sam 15:26; see 7:8-16) whether or not the Ark was with him.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Carry back: Sa2 12:10, Sa2 12:11; Sa1 4:3-11; Jer 7:4 he will bring: Psa 26:8, Psa 27:4, Psa 27:5, Psa 42:1, Psa 42:2, Psa 43:3, Psa 43:4, Psa 63:1, Psa 63:2, Psa 84:1-3, Psa 84:10, Psa 122:1, Psa 122:9; Isa 38:22 habitation: Sa2 6:17, Sa2 7:2 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 15:26”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification