2 Samuel 18:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Joab said to him, "You are not to carry news today. You may carry news another day, but today you shall carry no news, because the king 's son is dead."

NIV: "You are not the one to take the news today," Joab told him. "You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead."

NASB: But Joab said to him, 'You are not the man to bring news this day, but you shall bring news another day; however, you shall bring no news this day, because the king’s son is dead.'

CSB: Joab replied to him, "You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but today you aren’t taking good news, because the king’s son is dead."

NLT: No,' Joab told him, 'it wouldn’t be good news to the king that his son is dead. You can be my messenger another time, but not today.'

KJV: And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.

NKJV: And Joab said to him, “You shall not take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day. But today you shall take no news, because the king’s son is dead.”

A short time before, Joab was willing to risk the life of a soldier to see Absalom dead (2 Samuel 18:10–13). Whether because he felt chastised by the soldier's integrity or because he likes Ahimaaz, Joab doesn't want the same for the priest's son. Ahimaaz was one of two young men who received intelligence from their fathers about Absalom's plans against David. He and Jonathan ran from Absalom's guards and hid in a well, then hurried to the bank of the Jordan River. When they found David, they delivered the message: Absalom is coming with a great army. The people need to cross the river to safety. Because of their bravery, all of David's servants made it to Mahanaim, where they recovered, regrouped, and prepared for battle (2 Samuel 17:17–22, 27–29).

Ahimaaz wants to revisit his role as messenger, but Joab knows this isn't a safe message (2 Samuel 18:19). Joab killed Absalom against David's orders (2 Samuel 18:5, 14). Ahimaaz thinks David will be glad the war is over and relieved his enemy is dead. Joab knows David will be devastated that his son is gone. He might lash out, and a dire messenger could be the natural target.

Joab tells Ahimaaz to stay and sends a Cushite, instead. Ahimaaz insists, and Joab lets him go. Ahimaaz outruns the Cushite, but when he reaches David, he finds he can't say the words. He tells David he doesn't know what's happened to Absalom (2 Samuel 18:21–23, 29).

Second Samuel 18:19–30 follows along as two men race to tell David that his son is dead. Joab killed Absalom after the battle (2 Samuel 18:14–15). Ahimaaz, son of the priest Zadok, wants to deliver the news. Joab seems wary of how David will respond and so sends a Cushite messenger. Joab eventually lets Ahimaaz go as well, and he and the Cushite race one another to tell David. The king will react with despair (2 Samuel 19:31–33) and earn a scolding from Joab (2 Samuel 19:1–8).

In 2 Samuel 18, the rebellion ends. Absalom has built a following and revolted against David (2 Samuel 15; 17). His army is no match for David's seasoned warriors or the dangerous terrain on which the battle is fought. Absalom is pursued and killed despite David's order that he be spared. When David hears of this, he falls into grief. Joab tells David to stop disrespecting his people's sacrifice (2 Samuel 19:1–8). David leads his people back to Jerusalem and starts to repair the broken kingdom (2 Samuel 19:9–43).

Second Samuel 18 marks the fulfillment of God's curses against David. The violence and betrayal God promised David (2 Samuel 12:10–12) because of his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11) culminate in Absalom's attempt to kill his father and take the throne (2 Samuel 15—17). David's generals make quick work of Absalom's army. Joab kills Absalom against David's direct order. David will attempt to repair the fractured kingdom, starting with forgiving his enemies (2 Samuel 19:9–43). The rift never fully heals, however, and the nation splits permanently after Solomon dies (2 Chronicles 10).

Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.