Bible Strands
2 Samuel 15:26
But if He should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am; let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses Zadok the priest as he prepares to flee Jerusalem during Absalom’s revolt. He commands the return of the ark while stating his readiness to accept whatever outcome God chooses.
The words — The phrase כֹּה יֹאמַר (koh yo-mar) means “thus he will say,” framing a conditional response to potential divine rejection. The verb חָפַצְתִּי (cha-fatz-ti) translates to “I delight,” marking the specific condition David would face if God withdrew favor.
The thread — David’s submission mirrors Eli’s reply in 1 Samuel 3:18, where both figures acknowledge that God alone determines their fate. The motif of divine delight appears in 2 Samuel 22:20 and 1 Kings 10:9, where it signifies established favor and royal legitimacy.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to separate obedience from guaranteed outcomes, accepting that faithful submission does not control divine action. It demands a posture of readiness to receive whatever God decrees without demanding alternative explanations.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 3:18 So Samuel told him everything and did not hide a thing from him. “He is the LORD,” replied Eli. “Let Him do what is good in His eyes.”
- 2 Samuel 22:20 He brought me out into the open; He rescued me because He delighted in me.
- 1 Kings 10:9 Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.”
- Numbers 14:8 If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and He will give it to us.
- 2 Chronicles 9:8 Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God. Because your God loved Israel enough to establish them forever, He has made you king over them to carry out justice and righteousness.”
- Isaiah 62:4 No longer will you be called Forsaken, nor your land named Desolate; but you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be His bride.
- Judges 10:15 “We have sinned,” the Israelites said to the LORD. “Deal with us as You see fit; but please deliver us today!”
- Job 1:20 Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,
- Psalms 39:9 I have become mute; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.
- Isaiah 42:1 “Here is My Servant, whom I uphold, My Chosen One, in whom My soul delights. I will put My Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.