New International Version I will wait at the fords in the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” New Living Translation I will stop at the shallows of the Jordan River and wait there for a report from you.” English Standard Version See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” Berean Standard Bible See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” Berean Literal Bible See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness, until word comes from you⁺ to inform me.” King James Bible See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. New King James Version See, I will wait in the plains of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” New American Standard Bible See, I am going to wait at the river crossing places of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” NASB 1995 “See, I am going to wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” NASB 1977 “See, I am going to wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” Legacy Standard Bible See, I am going to wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” Amplified Bible See, I am going to wait at the fords [of the Jordan] in the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” Berean Annotated Bible See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you⁺ to inform me. Christian Standard Bible Remember, I’ll wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Remember, I’ll wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” American Standard Version See, I will tarry at the fords of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. Contemporary English Version I'll wait at the river crossing in the desert until I hear from you. English Revised Version See, I will tarry at the fords of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. GOD'S WORD® Translation I'll wait at the river crossings in the desert until I receive a message from you." Good News Translation Meanwhile, I will wait at the river crossings in the wilderness until I receive news from you." International Standard Version Look! I'll camp at the wilderness fords until you send word to inform me." NET Bible Look, I will be waiting at the fords of the desert until word from you reaches me." New Heart English Bible Look, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me." Webster's Bible Translation See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until word shall come from you to certify me. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSee, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” World English Bible Behold, I will stay at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionsee, I am lingering in the plains of the wilderness until the coming in of a word from you to declare to me.” Berean Literal Bible See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness, until word comes from you⁺ to inform me.” Young's Literal Translation see ye, I am tarrying in the plains of the wilderness till the coming in of a word from you to declare to me.' Smith's Literal Translation See me lingering in Araboth of the desert till word come from you to announce to me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBehold I will lie hid in the plains of the wilderness, till there come word from you to certify me. Catholic Public Domain Version Behold, I will hide in the plains of the desert, until word from you may arrive to inform me.” New American Bible Remember, I shall be waiting at the fords near the wilderness until a report from you comes to me.” New Revised Standard Version See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSee, I will wait in the plain of the wilderness until there come a man from you to inform me. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated See, now, I will wait in the plain of the wilderness until a man comes from your presence and shows me” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917See, I will tarry in the plains of the wilderness, until there come word from you to announce unto me.' Brenton Septuagint Translation Behold, I continue in arms in Araboth of the desert, until there come tidings from you to report to me. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context David Flees Jerusalem…27The king also said to Zadok the priest, “Are you not a seer? Return to the city in peace—you with your son Ahimaaz, and Abiathar with his son Jonathan. 28See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 29So Zadok and Abiathar returned the ark of God to Jerusalem and stayed there.… Cross References See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness 2 Samuel 17:16 Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’” Judges 12:5-6 The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim, and whenever a fugitive from Ephraim would say, “Let me cross over,” the Gileadites would ask him, “Are you an Ephraimite?” If he answered, “No,” / they told him, “Please say Shibboleth.” If he said, “Sibboleth,” because he could not pronounce it correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. So at that time 42,000 Ephraimites were killed. Judges 3:28 “Follow me,” he told them, “for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they followed him down and seized the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and they did not allow anyone to cross over. until word comes from you to inform me.” 2 Samuel 17:17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, for they dared not be seen entering the city. 1 Samuel 23:22-23 Please go and prepare further. Investigate and watch carefully where he goes and who has seen him there, for I am told that he is extremely cunning. / Observe and find out all the places where he hides. Then come back to me with certainty, and I will go with you. If he is in the land, I will search him out among all the clans of Judah.” 1 Samuel 10:8 And you shall go before me to Gilgal, and surely I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do.” 1 Samuel 22:3-4 From there David went to Mizpeh of Moab, where he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and mother stay with you until I learn what God will do for me.” / So he left them in the care of the king of Moab, and they stayed with him the whole time David was in the stronghold. 2 Samuel 17:21 After the men had gone, Ahimaaz and Jonathan climbed up out of the well and went to inform King David, saying, “Get up and cross over the river at once, for Ahithophel has given this advice against you.” 1 Kings 1:42 As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah, “for you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.” 1 Kings 2:28 When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. 2 Samuel 19:11-12 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? / You are my brothers, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to restore the king?’ 2 Samuel 19:14 So he swayed the hearts of all the men of Judah as though they were one man, and they sent word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants.” 2 Samuel 19:41-43 Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 20:5 So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he took longer than the time allotted him. 2 Samuel 20:9-10 “Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him. / Amasa was not on guard against the dagger in Joab’s hand, and Joab stabbed him in the stomach and spilled out his intestines on the ground. And Joab did not need to strike him again, for Amasa was dead. Then Joab and his brother Abishai pursued Sheba son of Bichri. 2 Samuel 20:22 Then the woman went to all the people with her wise counsel, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. So he blew the ram’s horn and his men dispersed from the city, each to his own home. And Joab returned to the king in Jerusalem. Treasury of Scripture See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. 2 Samuel 15:23 And 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. 2 Samuel 16:2 And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. 2 Samuel 17:1,16 Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: … Jump to Previous Announce Certify Declare Desert Fords Inform News Plain Plains River Stop Tarry Wait Waiting Waste Way Wilderness WordJump to Next Announce Certify Declare Desert Fords Inform News Plain Plains River Stop Tarry Wait Waiting Waste Way Wilderness Word2 Samuel 15 1. Absalom, by fair speeches and courtesies, steals the hearts of Israel.7. By pretense of a vow, he obtains leave to go to Hebron 10. He makes there a great conspiracy 13. David upon the news flees from Jerusalem 19. Ittai will leave him 24. Zadok and Abiathar are sent back with the ark 30. David and his company go up mount Olivet weeping, 31. He curses Ahithophel's counsel 32. Hushai is sent back with instructions See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness David planned to remain near the Jordan crossings while his supporters returned to Jerusalem. The location provided a defensible place of refuge and allowed him to move quickly if Absalom’s forces advanced. 2Sa 17:16 Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night… until word comes from you to inform me.” Zadok, Abiathar, and Hushai would supply David with reports from Jerusalem. Their loyalty gave him needed knowledge of Absalom’s plans as he awaited the right time to act. 2Sa 17:17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel… Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, who is fleeing from his son Absalom's rebellion. David's trust in God and his strategic planning are evident in this passage. 2. Absalom David's son, who has initiated a rebellion against his father, seeking to take over the throne of Israel. 3. The Fords of the Wilderness A strategic location where David plans to wait for news. This place represents a point of transition and decision-making. 4. Zadok and Abiathar The priests who are loyal to David and are tasked with sending him information about Absalom's movements. 5. The Messengers The individuals who will bring news to David, highlighting the importance of communication and loyalty in times of crisis. Teaching Points Trust in God's TimingDavid's decision to wait at the fords demonstrates his trust in God's timing and provision. In our lives, we should also learn to wait patiently for God's direction. Strategic Planning and Faith While David trusted God, he also made strategic plans. Faith does not negate the need for wise planning and action. The Importance of Communication David's reliance on messengers underscores the importance of clear and reliable communication, especially in times of crisis. Loyalty and Support The loyalty of Zadok and Abiathar to David highlights the value of faithful friends and allies who support us in difficult times. God's Sovereignty in Adversity Despite the rebellion, David's faith in God's sovereignty is evident. We can trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem dire. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 15:28?2. How does 2 Samuel 15:28 demonstrate David's reliance on God's guidance? 3. What role does patience play in David's decision-making in 2 Samuel 15:28? 4. How can we seek God's direction like David in 2 Samuel 15:28? 5. What other biblical figures waited for God's guidance before acting? 6. How can we apply David's trust in God to our daily decisions? 7. What is the significance of the Kidron Valley in 2 Samuel 15:28? 8. How does 2 Samuel 15:28 reflect David's trust in divine guidance? 9. Why does David choose to wait for news at the fords in 2 Samuel 15:28? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 15? (28) The plain of the wilderness.--This is the reading of the Hebrew margin here and at 2Samuel 17:16, and is followed by the ancient versions. It is used for the wide valley of the Jordan in which Jericho is situated; but in both places the Hebrew text is better, the fords, both as a more definite place where messengers would find David, and also as a place of strategic importance where a retreat across the Jordan was open at any moment.Verse 28. - In the plain of the wilderness. The Revised Version has "at the fords of the wilderness," that is, it rightly keeps to the written Hebrew text (the K'tib), while the Authorized Version adopts a conjecture of the Massorites (the K'ri). This conjecture is the substitution of arboth for abroth, and they have made the same alteration at 2 Samuel 17:16. But the substitution is uncalled for and mischievous; for David would not halt indefinitely in the plain, the Arabah (of which Arboth is the plural), but would press on to the fords, where some delay must take place, and where the king's presence would be important in giving instructions for what was by no means an easy operation (comp. 2 Samuel 19:18). At the river, moreover, David could be assailed only in front, where his "mighties" would make a strong defence, while in the Arabah they might be surrounded; and, encumbered as they were with women, their line must be so extended as to be weakened. We find, too, in Judges 3:28 that the fords of the Jordan formed a good military position. In 2 Samuel 17:22 it is expressly said that the fording of the river did not take place until Jonathan and Ahimaaz came with their reports; and their words there, in ver, 21, show that David was on the bank when they arrived, with his preparations so complete, that, in the next few hours, all his company were safely carried over to the other side. Ahimaaz was a famous runner (see 2 Samuel 18:27), and, if David was ready, the time gained by him upon any body of troops leaving Jerusalem at the same hour, would have enabled the king to get his people across; but if he had still some miles to march, with a number of women and children, Ahimaaz's fleetness would have been rendered useless. 2 Samuel 15:28 shows David pausing in faith amid upheaval. He commands attention (“See”), commits to patient trust (“I will wait”), chooses a strategic yet symbolic location (“at the fords of the wilderness”), relies on timely revelation (“until word comes”), delegates to faithful servants (“from you”), and seeks clear guidance (“to inform me”). The verse models godly leadership: combining prayerful waiting, practical planning, and confident expectation that the Lord will direct every step. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew See,רְאוּ֙ (rə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see I will אָנֹכִ֣י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I wait מִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ (miṯ·mah·mê·ah) Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 4102: To question, hesitate, to be reluctant at the fords בְּעַֽרְב֖וֹת (bə·‘ar·ḇō·wṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 5679: A crossing-place of the wilderness הַמִּדְבָּ֑ר (ham·miḏ·bār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech until עַ֣ד (‘aḏ) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while word דָבָ֛ר (ḏā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause comes בּ֥וֹא (bō·w) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go from you מֵעִמָּכֶ֖ם (mê·‘im·mā·ḵem) Preposition-m | second person masculine plural Strong's 5973: With, equally with to inform לְהַגִּ֥יד (lə·hag·gîḏ) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous me.” לִֽי׃ (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew Additonal Resources 2 Samuel 15:28 Blue Letter Bible2 Samuel 15:28 Bible Gateway 2 Samuel 15:28 Bible.com 2 Samuel 15:28 NIV |
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