Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Samuel 15:27
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.
27. Art not thou a seer ] An obscure expression variously explained. (1) Art thou a seer? The high-priest is supposed to be called a seer, because he received divine revelations by means of the Urim and Thummim; but there is no trace of such a use of the term elsewhere. (2) Dost thou see? i.e. understand: an untenable rendering. (3) The Vulg. gives different vowels to the consonants, and renders, O seer, return, &c. (4) The Sept. reads, See! thou shalt return, which requires but a small change in the Heb. text, and is probably the best solution of the difficulty.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Art not those a seer? – If the text be correct, the sense would be, Art thou not a seer? therefore go back to the city, and observe, and certify me of what thou seest 2Sa 15:28. Others, by a slight alteration of the original text, read Art not thou a chief (priest), etc.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 27. Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace] That is, As thou art the only organ of the public worship, that worship cannot be carried on without thee; and as thou art the priest of God, thou hast no cause to fear for thy personal safety: the nation has not abandoned their God, though they have abandoned their king. It appears also, that he wished these priests, by means of their sons, Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar, to send him frequent intelligence of the motions and operations of the enemy.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The king said also unto Zadok; either because Abiathar was gone from him, 2Sa 15:24, and not yet returned; or because David put more confidence in Zadok.
A seer, i.e. either,
1. A prophet, for such were called seers, 1Sa 9:9; 2Sa 24:11; Amo 7:12. And such he may be called, either because he really had the gift of prophecy or because as the name of prophets is sometimes given to those who had not prophetical gifts, but were only officers and minsters devoted to and employed in Gods worship and service, as 1Sa 10:5, &c.; 1Ki 18:4,13; compare 1Ch 25:1-3; so it is reasonable that the name of seers be extended to the same latitude; and therefore he may properly and fitly be called a
seer, as he was with and under Abiathar the chief governor of the house and worship of God; who, by his office, was to instruct and direct the people in those matters, whereby he had many opportunities both of sifting out Absaloms counsels, and of minding the people of their duty to David, as he saw opportunity: which sense suits well with Davids scope and design. Or,
2. A seeing, or discerning, or observing man; for so the Hebrew verb raah is oft used. And this suits well with Davids mind: Thou art a wise man, and therefore fit to manage this great business, which requires prudence and secrecy.
In peace; as men of peace, giving over all thoughts of war, and devoting yourselves entirely to Gods service.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the king said unto Zadok the priest, [art not] thou a seer?…. A prophet, as well as a priest; see 1Sa 9:9; or a seeing, knowing, man; one that can penetrate into men and things, and so might be of more service to David at Jerusalem than with him: wherefore he said to him,
return into the city in peace; to the city of Jerusalem with peace, quietness, and satisfaction of mind; where he doubted not, at least hoped and wished, he would be in safety and prosperity, being one of the Lord’s priests:
and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar; the one was of the line of Eleazar, and the other of the line of Ithamar.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(27) Art not thou a seer?The Hebrew is difficult, and must be translated either. Art thou a seer? or, with a very slight change in a vowel, as an address, Thou seer. Zadok is so called because he was now in some sort to fulfil the office of a prophet in guiding Davids course, and also in making known to him the events taking place in Jerusalem which would show Gods will concerning him. Nothing is said in any part of this narrative of Nathan and Gad, both of whom were certainly still living (2Sa. 24:11; 2Sa. 24:13-14; 1Ki. 1:11).
Your two sons with you.Zadok only has been mentioned, and probably Abiathar was not present at the moment, but David shows by this way of speaking that he means to address them both.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
27. Art not thou a seer Luther, after the Vulgate, renders the words as an exclamation, Thou seer! On the word, see 1Sa 9:9. As seer he could best serve the king by remaining in Jerusalem, and thence secretly sending him word of all that might be of advantage to him to know.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(27) 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. (28) See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. (29) Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
Observe, how strong confidence he put in the counsel of God’s Seer, that is, God’s prophet; through whom the Lord might graciously be pleased to convey instruction. And, Reader! have not we that which is better than a thousand Seers now? even his holy word, which is a constant light to our feet, and a lamp to our paths.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Sa 15:27 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.
Ver. 27. Art not thou a seer? ] i.e., A prophet. 1Sa 9:9 And is it not, therefore, fit that thou shouldst abide with the people to teach and instruct them in the will of God according to thine office especially, since in so doing, thou mayst also do me singular good service?
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
a seer: 2Sa 24:11, 1Sa 9:9, 1Ch 25:5
return: 2Sa 15:34, 2Sa 15:36, 2Sa 17:17
Reciprocal: 2Sa 15:24 – Zadok 1Ch 6:8 – Ahimaaz
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 15:27. Art thou not a seer? Return into the city in peace It should seem from hence, says Delaney, that Zadok was a prophet: however, as a priest, he was a teacher; and as such, bound to stay with his people in the greatest exigencies, and instruct them in their duty: besides that, by staying to do his duty to his people, he might also do good offices to his prince. Indeed, the word , roeh, here rendered seer, means also a seeing, discerning and observing man: an interpretation which suits well with the present state of Davids mind and affairs. As if he had said, Thou art a wise man, fit to make observations on what is passing in Jerusalem, and to give me information thereof. Accordingly David concerted a plan, both with Zadok and Abiathar, of corresponding with him, and sending him intelligence of all his enemies measures by their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan.