2 Samuel 18:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, "Good news for my lord the king! For the Lord has delivered you this day from the hand of all who rose up against you."

NIV: Then the Cushite arrived and said, "My lord the king, hear the good news! The Lord has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you."

NASB: Then behold, the Cushite arrived, and the Cushite said, 'Let my lord the king receive good news, for the Lord has freed you this day from the hand of all those who rose up against you.'

CSB: Just then the Cushite came and said, "May my lord the king hear the good news: The Lord has vindicated you today by freeing you from all who rise against you!"

NLT: Then the man from Ethiopia arrived and said, 'I have good news for my lord the king. Today the Lord has rescued you from all those who rebelled against you.'

KJV: And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the Lord hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.

NKJV: Just then the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “There is good news, my lord the king! For the Lord has avenged you this day of all those who rose against you.”

The battle between Absalom's army and David's forces lasts one day. Multitudes lose their lives, most to the incredibly dangerous forest (2 Samuel 18:6–8). When David's military commander hears that Absalom is caught helplessly in a tree branch, he wastes no time. Three javelins to the heart start what his armor-bearers finish (2 Samuel 18:14–15).

With Absalom dead, David is safe. There's no reason to keep fighting a leaderless rebellion. Joab sounds his horn to stop the war (2 Samuel 18:16). Ahimaaz, Zadok the priest's son, wants to bring David the news. It was he who told David that Absalom's army was going to hunt the king down; it's poetic that he be the one to tell the king he's safe again. Joab holds back Ahimaaz and sends a Cushite, instead. Ahimaaz pushes. Eventually, Joab gives in. Ahimaaz can go, but, he warns, David will not like the message (2 Samuel 18:19–23).

Ahimaaz reaches David and tells him the war is over. David immediately asks about Absalom. Ahimaaz apparently comes to realize that David doesn't really care about the battle or his soldiers or even his kingdom. His primary concern is the life of his son. Ahimaaz lies and says he doesn't know (2 Samuel 18:28–30). The Cushite arrives and gives the same news that the battle has ended in victory.

Unfortunately, the Cushite is not tactful, so when David asks about Absalom, he will celebrate the traitor's death (2 Samuel 18:32). This drives David into a storm of grief (2 Samuel 18:33) which Joab will need to disrupt (2 Samuel 19:5–8).

In 2 Samuel 18:31–33, David learns his son is dead. Absalom went to battle intent on killing his father and taking the crown (2 Samuel 17:2–3). Instead, his army loses a battle in dangerous terrain (2 Samuel 18:6–8). David's general Joab killed the rebellious son, despite direct orders him not to (2 Samuel 18:5, 14–15). Upon hearing the news, David collapses into overwhelming grief. When Joab hears, he will confront David for shaming the men who risked their lives for his kingdom. David will take this advice and begin the hard work of repairing the kingdom (2 Samuel 19).

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.