Bible Strands
2 Samuel 19:11
Then King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace, since the talk of all Israel has reached the king at his quarters?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — King David commissions Zadok and Abiathar to deliver a message to the elders of Judah, urging them to lead the restoration of his kingship before the rest of Israel acts.
The words — The Hebrew שָׁלַח (shalach, he sent) and מֶלֶךְ (melek, king) anchor the verse in David’s direct royal command to the two priests.
The thread — The priestly partnership appears earlier in 2 Samuel 15:29 and 2 Samuel 15:35, where they manage the ark and relay palace intelligence, and their political role later intersects with the succession conflicts recorded in 1 Kings 2:25.
Why it lands — The text states that the elders of Judah should not delay the king’s return, explicitly challenging them to act promptly rather than wait for others to initiate the restoration.
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
And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 15:29 So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.
- 2 Samuel 15:35 Will not Zadok and Abiathar the priests be there with you? Report to them everything you hear from the king’s palace.
- 1 Kings 2:25 So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.
- 1 Kings 2:35 And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place.
- Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:9 Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.