2 Samuel 15:27
ESV
The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Are you not a seer? Go back to the city in peace, with your two sons, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
NIV
The king also said to Zadok the priest, "Do you understand? Go back to the city with my blessing. Take your son Ahimaaz with you, and also Abiathar’s son Jonathan. You and Abiathar return with your two sons.
NASB
The king also said to Zadok the priest, 'Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, your son Ahimaaz and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
CSB
The king also said to the priest Zadok, "Look, return to the city in peace and your two sons with you: your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan.
NLT
The king also told Zadok the priest, 'Look, here is my plan. You and Abiathar should return quietly to the city with your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar’s son Jonathan.
KJV
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.
NKJV
The king also said to Zadok the priest, “ Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
What does 2 Samuel 15:27 mean?
David is watching as his servants, guards, and private militia file past him through the city gate on the way to the Mount of Olives and the wilderness beyond. His son Absalom, along with his co-conspirators and 200 unwitting guests, are on their way to take Jerusalem. David doesn't want a fight in the city, so he's told everyone who is vulnerable to Absalom's plan to flee (2 Samuel 15:13–23).The priests Abiathar and Zadok, as well as the Levites who tend the tent of the ark of the covenant, have joined him. It's likely they believe the physical symbol of God's presence should stay with the true king. If there's going to be a battle, God should be on David's side (2 Samuel 15:24).
That's not how any of this works. David knows the ark is God's symbol, but God isn't controlled by or defined by the ark. David is still the king, but only if and so far as God decides he still is. The ark belongs in Jerusalem, and the priests belong with the ark (2 Samuel 15:25–26).
Here, David the theologian meets David the strategist. As a seer, Zadok can stay in Jerusalem and get intelligence from God. With the help of Zadok and Abiathar's sons, they can spy on Absalom and warn David of his son's plans (2 Samuel 15:28–29).
The priests and Levites return with the ark and David follows his people up the Mount of Olives. As he arrives at the summit, his old friend Hushai meets him, dressed for mourning and ready to follow. David recognizes God's provision. His counselor, Ahithophel, has sided with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:12). If anyone can thwart Ahithophel's guidance, it's Hushai. David sends the old man back with orders to infiltrate Absalom's advisors (2 Samuel 15:30–37).
It works. Ahithophel gains traction early on, telling Absalom to make a symbolic statement of dominance over his father (2 Samuel 16:20–23). But when David's safety is at risk, Hushai not only mitigates Ahithophel's guidance, but he also sends word through the priests to warn David. When Ahithophel realizes what's happened, he kills himself (2 Samuel 17:1–23).
