KJV ORIGINAL
And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king’s house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
And don't you have Zadok and Abiathar the priests there with you? So whatever you hear from the king's palace, you should tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
David is instructing someone to spy on his son Absalom's court and report back through trusted priests who will serve as messengers.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during Absalom's rebellion when David fled Jerusalem. David is setting up a spy network using loyal priests Zadok and Abiathar, who had remained in the city with the ark of the covenant. The person being addressed is likely Hushai, David's friend who had volunteered to return and serve as a double agent in Absalom's court.
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