2 Samuel 15:28
2 Samuel 15:28 in Multiple Translations
See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”
See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
See, I will tarry at the fords of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
See, I will be waiting at the way across the river, in the waste land, till I get news from you.
I'll wait at the fords of the wilderness until I hear from you.”
Behold, I wil tarie in the fieldes of the wildernesse, vntill there come some worde from you to be tolde me.
see ye, I am tarrying in the plains of the wilderness till the coming in of a word from you to declare to me.'
Behold, I will stay at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.”
See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until word shall come from you to certify me.
Behold I will lie hid in the plains of the wilderness, till there come word from you to certify me.
I will wait in the desert at the place where people can walk across the river, until you send a message to me.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 15:28
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 15:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
רְאוּ֙
אָנֹכִ֣י
מִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ
ב/עברות
בְּ/עַֽרְב֖וֹת
הַ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר
עַ֣ד
בּ֥וֹא
דָבָ֛ר
מֵ/עִמָּ/כֶ֖ם
לְ/הַגִּ֥יד
לִֽ/י
רְאוּ֙
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
אָנֹכִ֣י
ʼânôkîy
H595
I
Pron
מִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ
mâhahh
H4102
to delay
V-f
ב/עברות
ʻăbârâh
H5679
ford
Prep | N-fp
בְּ/עַֽרְב֖וֹת
ʻărâbâh
H6160
plain
Prep | N-fp
הַ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר
midbâr
H4057
mouth
Art | N-ms
עַ֣ד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
בּ֥וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
Lebo
V-Qal-Inf-a
דָבָ֛ר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
מֵ/עִמָּ/כֶ֖ם
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep | Prep | Suff
לְ/הַגִּ֥יד
nâgad
H5046
to tell
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
לִֽ/י
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 15:28
רְאוּ֙
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
אָנֹכִ֣י
ʼânôkîy
H595
"I"
Pron
This simple Hebrew word just means 'I', referring to the speaker, like in Genesis 27 where Esau says 'I' when talking to his father Isaac.
Definition: I (first pers. sing.) Another spelling of a.ni (אֲנִי, אָֽנֹכִ֫י "I" H0589)
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: I, me, [idiom] which. See also: Genesis 3:10; Deuteronomy 11:26; 2 Samuel 3:39.
מִתְמַהְמֵ֔הַּ
mâhahh
H4102
"to delay"
V-f
This Hebrew word means to delay or linger, often implying a sense of reluctance or hesitation, like in Judges 5:28 when Sisera's mother waits for her son to return. It can also mean to tarry or wait, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in KJV translations as delay or linger.
Definition: (Hithpalpel) to linger, tarry, wait, delay
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: delay, linger, stay selves, tarry. See also: Genesis 19:16; Judges 19:8; Psalms 119:60.
ב/עברות
ʻăbârâh
H5679
"ford"
Prep | N-fp
Abarah means a crossing-place or ford, a shallow point in a river where people can cross. It's a geographical term used in the Bible to describe locations.
Definition: ford
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: ferry, plain (from the margin). See also: 2 Samuel 15:28; 2 Samuel 19:19.
בְּ/עַֽרְב֖וֹת
ʻărâbâh
H6160
"plain"
Prep | N-fp
The Arabah is a desert plain near the Jordan River, stretching to the Red Sea, and is often translated as wilderness or desert in the Bible. It is mentioned in books like Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Definition: § desert plain, steppe, desert, wilderness
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also H1026 (בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה). See also: Numbers 22:1; 1 Samuel 23:24; Psalms 68:5.
הַ/מִּדְבָּ֑ר
midbâr
H4057
"mouth"
Art | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
עַ֣ד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
בּ֥וֹא
bôwʼ
H935
"Lebo"
V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.
Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter
Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.
דָבָ֛ר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
מֵ/עִמָּ/כֶ֖ם
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep | Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
לְ/הַגִּ֥יד
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
לִֽ/י
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 15:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 15:28 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 15:28
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 15:28
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:28
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:28
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 15:28
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:28
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 15:28
Context — David Flees Jerusalem
26But if He should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am; let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him.”
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. 30But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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.’” |
| 2 | 2 Samuel 15:23 | Everyone in the countryside was weeping loudly as all the people passed by. And as the king crossed the Kidron Valley, all the people also passed toward the way of the wilderness. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 17:1 | Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. |
| 4 | 2 Samuel 16:2 | “Why do you have these?” asked the king. Ziba replied, “The donkeys are for the king’s household to ride, the bread and summer fruit are for the young men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.” |
2 Samuel 15:28 Summary
In this verse, David is saying that he will wait at the fords of the wilderness until he receives word from Zadok and Abiathar, who are returning to Jerusalem. This shows that David is trusting in God's plan and is willing to wait for guidance. He is not rushing ahead, but instead is taking time to seek God's will, as we are also instructed to do in Psalm 37:7. By waiting, David is able to demonstrate his patience and trust in God, and we can learn from his example to do the same in our own lives, as encouraged in Psalm 27:14 and Isaiah 40:31.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did David choose to wait at the fords of the wilderness?
David chose to wait at the fords of the wilderness because it was a strategic location where he could receive updates from his loyal priests, Zadok and Abiathar, who were returning to Jerusalem, as seen in 2 Samuel 15:27-29, and also be prepared to flee or respond to the situation, similar to how Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray and seek guidance, as in Luke 5:16.
What does David's decision to wait reveal about his character?
David's decision to wait at the fords of the wilderness reveals his patience, trust in God, and willingness to seek guidance, as seen in his previous statement in 2 Samuel 15:26, where he submits to God's will, and also in Psalm 37:7, where it is written to 'be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him'.
How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual waiting?
This verse illustrates the importance of spiritual waiting, where believers, like David, wait on God for direction and guidance, as instructed in Psalm 27:14 and Isaiah 40:31, trusting that He will provide the necessary wisdom and strength to navigate challenging situations.
What can we learn from David's example of waiting in this verse?
We can learn the value of patience, trust, and seeking guidance from God, as David demonstrates in 2 Samuel 15:28, and also the importance of having a support system, like Zadok and Abiathar, who can provide updates and encouragement, as seen in 2 Samuel 15:27-29, and in the New Testament, in Acts 13:1-3, where the church in Antioch seeks God's guidance before sending out missionaries.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to wait on God for direction and guidance, and how can I trust Him in those situations?
- How can I, like David, cultivate a spirit of patience and trust in the midst of uncertainty, and what role does prayer play in this process?
- What are some ways I can seek guidance from God, like David did through Zadok and Abiathar, and how can I discern His will for my life?
- In what ways can I demonstrate my trust in God's sovereignty, like David did in 2 Samuel 15:26, and how can I apply this trust to my daily life?
- How can I balance the need to take action with the need to wait on God, and what are some biblical examples that illustrate this balance, such as in Acts 16:6-10?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 15:28
See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness,.... Towards the way of which David and the people went when they came over Kidron, 2 Samuel 15:23; until there come word from you to certify me; of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Samuel 15:28
See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness [ bª`arbowt (H6160) hamidbaar (H4057)] - in the plains (Arabahs) of the wilderness.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:28
2 Samuel 15:28 See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.Ver. 28. See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness.] Where in times past he had lived, when he fled from Saul, and had found that God was not "a wilderness unto him, or a land of darkness."
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:28
(28) The plain of the wilderness.—This is the reading of the Hebrew margin here and at 2 Samuel 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.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Samuel 15:28
28. in the plain of the wilderness] The level district of the Jordan valley near Jericho, called elsewhere “the plains of Jericho.” Cp. Joshua 5:10; 2 Kings 25:5; and note on ch. 2 Samuel 2:29. Instead however of plains which is the traditional reading (Qrî), the written text (Kthîbh) has fords. This certainly seems the more probable reading both here and in ch. 2 Samuel 17:16, where there is the same variation, for a definite place must have been named at which the messenger was to find David, and the ford, as a critical point, would be a most natural halting place. to certify me] To tell me how matters are going in the city.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 15:28
28. I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness — This could be none other than the plain of Jericho. 2 Kings 25:5.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 15:28
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(John) the Glory of the Lord by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the fearless nature of Jesus as he walked into the enemy's heart. The preacher emphasizes the significance of the word "band" in the Bible, w |