2 Samuel 18:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone.

NIV: While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone.

NASB: Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went to the roof of the gate by the wall, and raised his eyes and looked; and behold, a man was running by himself.

CSB: David was sitting between the city gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the city gate and over to the wall. The watchman looked out and saw a man running alone.

NLT: While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates of the town, the watchman climbed to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked, he saw a lone man running toward them.

KJV: And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.

NKJV: Now David was sitting between the two gates. And the watchman went up to the roof over the gate, to the wall, lifted his eyes and looked, and there was a man, running alone.

When David learned his son Absalom was marching on Jerusalem with a phalanx of supporters, the king had very little time to prepare. He gathered his family, servants, and soldiers and fled the city for the Jordan River. There, he waited for news. He had left spies in Jerusalem to bring him word of Absalom's plan so he could decide what to do. Finally, the messengers appeared. They gave him the worst news possible: Absalom was coming with an army (2 Samuel 15:13–14, 18; 17:15–22).

By morning, David had gotten his people across the Jordan. They continued east and found shelter and comfort in Mahanaim (2 Samuel 17:22, 27–29). Absalom and his army soon followed. David divided his fighting men into three units and announced he was coming with them. His generals refused. They fought to keep David alive and on the throne. They would not take him into battle. As they left, he called out, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom" (2 Samuel 18:1–5).

To David, news that Absalom wants him dead would be better than news that Absalom has died. While the battle rages in the forest of Ephraim and thousands die, David is only worried about one man: the enemy who also happens to be his son (2 Samuel 18:6–8).

David is waiting at the gates of Mahanaim for news. Ahimaaz, one of the messengers who met him at the Jordan, is running toward him again. He brings the news that David doesn't want to hear, that Absalom is dead, killed by David's general Joab. But when Ahimaaz reaches David, he doesn't have the heart to tell him the truth (2 Samuel 18:28–29).

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.