2 Samuel 18:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, "Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite." And Joab said, "Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?"

NIV: Ahimaaz son of Zadok again said to Joab, "Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite." But Joab replied, "My son, why do you want to go? You don’t have any news that will bring you a reward."

NASB: However, Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said once more to Joab, 'But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.' And Joab said, 'Why would you run, my son, since you will have no messenger’s reward for going?'

CSB: However, Ahimaaz son of Zadok persisted and said to Joab, "No matter what, please let me also run behind the Cushite!" Joab replied, "My son, why do you want to run since you won’t get a reward?"

NLT: But Ahimaaz continued to plead with Joab, 'Whatever happens, please let me go, too.' 'Why should you go, my son?' Joab replied. 'There will be no reward for your news.'

KJV: Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?

NKJV: And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.” So Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, since you have no news ready?”

A career soldier, Joab has fought for David, his uncle, for decades. Part of his faithfulness is loyalty. But part, it seems, is because of the spoils.

Undoubtedly, Joab was there when David attacked the Amalekites and took their plunder (1 Samuel 30:16–20). When Joab finally conquered Rabbah, he took great restraint and invited David to deliver the final blow before Joab claimed the city for himself (2 Samuel 12:26–31). The captured goods taken from the city were considerable.

When Joab met a soldier who had refused to kill Absalom, his mind was again on money. Absalom told him that if he'd killed the traitor, he would have given the soldier a lifetime's pay and a warrior's belt. The soldier pointed out it wouldn't have mattered much if David executed him for killing the prince (2 Samuel 18:9–13).

Frustrated, Joab killed Absalom, himself (2 Samuel 18:14). Now, he must let David know. Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok the priest, has offered to deliver the news (2 Samuel 18:19). However, the soldier was right: David had commanded the army to not kill Absalom. For the soldier, David's word was enough. Joab killed Absalom because it was the right choice politically and strategically. But Joab can't understand why Ahimaaz would want to deliver news that David will hate if Ahimaaz won't even get paid.

Likely, however, Joab is thinking about more than money. He may be thinking of the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:1–10). David didn't reward him; he had the man executed for killing God's anointed king (2 Samuel 1:14–16). If Ahimaaz misspeaks while David rages with grief, the messenger may be in danger.

Joab has already sent another runner, a Cushite. But Ahimaaz presses. Finally, Joab lets him go (2 Samuel 18:23). But when Ahimaaz sees David's face, he realizes he can't do it. He can't tell the king that his son is dead (2 Samuel 18:29).

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).