This passage shows David leaving Jerusalem, positioning himself in the wilderness, and trusting God while waiting for the priests’ message about Absalom’s revolt.
David is fleeing from his rebellious son Absalom and is speaking to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. He tells them to stay behind with the Ark of the Covenant while he waits for their message of what is happening in Jerusalem. In the midst of all this upheaval, he says, “See, I am going to wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” (2 Samuel 15:28). By this time, David has left Jerusalem to avoid a confrontation with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:14-23). The fords of the wilderness likely refers to a crossing place of the Jordan River, a strategic location for David as he waits for critical information about Absalom’s movements. King David reigned around 1010-970 BC, and his flight from Absalom occurs later in his reign. Absalom’s revolt is one of the most painful episodes in David’s life, showcasing both David’s desire to protect Jerusalem from warfare and his willingness to let God handle the outcome of this crisis.
David’s command in this verse demonstrates his reliance on spiritual guidance in the midst of conflict. By instructing the priests to return to Jerusalem with the Ark, he shows trust that God’s presence remains, whether or not the Ark is physically with him. He also relies on their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, to relay vital intelligence about Absalom’s activities (2 Samuel 15:36). This underscores David’s faithful, yet practical, mindset: he both trusts God for deliverance and takes prudent steps by setting up a network of informants to keep him updated.
Such a posture also illustrates an attitude of humility characteristic of David. Much like when he fled from King Saul or refrained from harming Saul (1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Samuel 26:10), David seeks righteousness and God’s will above securing his own comfort. The fords of the wilderness symbolize both a place of physical separation—David is no longer in the city—and a place of spiritual waiting for God’s plan to unfold.
It reminds believers today that awaiting the Lord’s direction, even in dangerous circumstances, reflects a heart anchored in faith (Psalm 27:14). In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus also modeled trust in God’s will, knowing when to withdraw from conflict for a season to accomplish the Father’s purpose (Luke 5:15-16).
It is a verse that highlights David’s willing submission to God’s sovereignty and his keen sense of wisdom in organizing a means for receiving timely news.
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2 Samuel 15:28 meaning
David is fleeing from his rebellious son Absalom and is speaking to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. He tells them to stay behind with the Ark of the Covenant while he waits for their message of what is happening in Jerusalem. In the midst of all this upheaval, he says, “See, I am going to wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” (2 Samuel 15:28). By this time, David has left Jerusalem to avoid a confrontation with Absalom (2 Samuel 15:14-23). The fords of the wilderness likely refers to a crossing place of the Jordan River, a strategic location for David as he waits for critical information about Absalom’s movements. King David reigned around 1010-970 BC, and his flight from Absalom occurs later in his reign. Absalom’s revolt is one of the most painful episodes in David’s life, showcasing both David’s desire to protect Jerusalem from warfare and his willingness to let God handle the outcome of this crisis.
David’s command in this verse demonstrates his reliance on spiritual guidance in the midst of conflict. By instructing the priests to return to Jerusalem with the Ark, he shows trust that God’s presence remains, whether or not the Ark is physically with him. He also relies on their sons, Ahimaaz and Jonathan, to relay vital intelligence about Absalom’s activities (2 Samuel 15:36). This underscores David’s faithful, yet practical, mindset: he both trusts God for deliverance and takes prudent steps by setting up a network of informants to keep him updated.
Such a posture also illustrates an attitude of humility characteristic of David. Much like when he fled from King Saul or refrained from harming Saul (1 Samuel 24:6; 1 Samuel 26:10), David seeks righteousness and God’s will above securing his own comfort. The fords of the wilderness symbolize both a place of physical separation—David is no longer in the city—and a place of spiritual waiting for God’s plan to unfold.
It reminds believers today that awaiting the Lord’s direction, even in dangerous circumstances, reflects a heart anchored in faith (Psalm 27:14). In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus also modeled trust in God’s will, knowing when to withdraw from conflict for a season to accomplish the Father’s purpose (Luke 5:15-16).
It is a verse that highlights David’s willing submission to God’s sovereignty and his keen sense of wisdom in organizing a means for receiving timely news.
He waits, because he trusts.