2 Samuel 18:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, "See, another man running alone!" The king said, "He also brings news."

NIV: Then the watchman saw another runner, and he called down to the gatekeeper, "Look, another man running alone!" The king said, "He must be bringing good news, too."

NASB: Then the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, 'Behold, another man is running by himself.' And the king said, 'This one also is bringing good news.'

CSB: the watchman saw another man running. He called out to the gatekeeper, "Look! Another man is running alone!" "This one is also bringing good news," said the king.

NLT: the watchman saw another man running toward them. He shouted down, 'Here comes another one!' The king replied, 'He also will have news.'

KJV: And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.

NKJV: Then the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “There is another man, running alone!” And the king said, “He also brings news.”

There was a time when David would not have to wait for news of war because he'd be in the middle of the action. Since he took Jerusalem and made it his capital, his fighting days have dwindled. Kings need to govern; they have armies to engage in fighting.

This time, he's on the sidelines for another reason. His son Absalom has rebelled and wants him dead (2 Samuel 15; 17). David announced he was joining the army against his son, but his generals refused. Their job is to keep him alive so he can return to his throne in Jerusalem. Ten thousand of them would gladly give their lives to make that happen (2 Samuel 18:2–3). So, David stands at the wall of the city that gave him and his servants rest, waiting for news. All he wants to hear is that Absalom is well (2 Samuel 18:5).

The writer builds suspense. The watchman sees a man, running alone, He must have news (2 Samuel 18:24–25). Now, there's a second runner. What could this mean? An update to the news the first man brings? The first man is Ahimaaz, son of the priest Zadok. David resolves that such a good man could only bring good news (2 Samuel 18:27).

David is wrong. David's general Joab killed Absalom while the traitor was caught, hanging on a tree branch (2 Samuel 18:14). The second man is a Cushite whom Joab sent to tell David. The first is Ahimaaz who, against Joab's counsel, insisted on bringing David the message (2 Samuel 18:19–23). Ahimaaz overtook the Cushite and will reach David first. When he sees the king, he has a change of heart. He can't bear to tell the king his son is dead (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.