2 Samuel 18:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The king said to the Cushite, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" And the Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man."

NIV: The king asked the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" The Cushite replied, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man."

NASB: Then the king said to the Cushite, 'Is it well with the young man Absalom?' And the Cushite answered, 'May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be like that young man!'

CSB: The king asked the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom all right?" The Cushite replied, "I wish that the enemies of my lord the king, along with all who rise up against you with evil intent, would become like that young man."

NLT: What about young Absalom?' the king demanded. 'Is he all right?' And the Ethiopian replied, 'May all of your enemies, my lord the king, both now and in the future, share the fate of that young man!'

KJV: And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.

NKJV: And the king said to the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” So the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!”

David three divisions of his army this morning with strict instructions: treat Absalom with gentleness (2 Samuel 18:5). He waited all day at the gates of Mahanaim for news. Ahimaaz arrived first. He reported that God had rescued David but lied saying he knew nothing about Absalom (2 Samuel 18:28–29). Now a Cushite messenger has arrived. The Cushite starts with the same news: the Lord has delivered David (2 Samuel 18:33). This time when David asks about Absalom, the runner answers.

The poor Cushite is just a messenger. He has no idea of David's true feelings. So he answers by wishing for anyone who defies David to suffer the same fate (2 Samuel 18:32). The implication is clear: Absalom is dead. David sinks into despair. He cared less about the crown—or even his own life—than he did for the life of his traitorous son. He climbs to a room over the gate and falls apart (2 Samuel 18:33).

Joab will arrive to see his king sobbing and victorious soldiers acting like they are ashamed. He will scold David out of this disrespectful display so the work of restoring the nation can begin (2 Samuel 19:1–8).

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.