David Hears of Absalom Death
May 31, 2022
Commentary
Ahimaaz wanted to run and tell David ‘that the LORD had delivered him from his enemies.’ And he told Joab this plan (v. 19). Joab said it was better not to do it that day, because the king’s son was dead (v. 20). Soon a man from Ethiopia arrived, and Joab said to him, ‘Go, tell the king what you have seen.’ And the man began to run (v. 21). Ahimaaz still wanted to go, so he asked Joab again if he could run too. Joab agreed, and Ahimaaz ran by the road through the Jordan Valley and passed the Cushite from Ethiopia (vv. 22–23).
Meanwhile, David was sitting between the inner and outer gates of the town. He waited with a heavy heart, hoping for peace but fearing the worst. A watchman on the roof of the gate ‘saw a man running alone’ toward the city (v. 24). He called out to the king. David replied, ‘If he is alone, there is news in his mouth’ (v. 25). As the runner came closer, ‘the watchman saw another man running’ and told David (v. 26). He recognized the first runner as Ahimaaz, who cried out that the LORD had given victory (vv. 27–28). David asked, Is my son all right? Ahimaaz answered, ‘It was very chaotic, so I’m not sure what happened (v. 29).
David told him to step aside. Then the Ethiopian arrived and said, I bring good news, my LORD the king. The LORD has rescued you from all your ene-mies (vv. 30–31). David asked again, Is my son Absalom all right (v. 32)? The Ethiopian replied that all of David’s enemies should die the same way. David shook with grief and went up to the room above the gate to weep (v. 33). He cried, ‘O my son Absalom, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son!’ His victory felt empty because the cost was the loss of his son. Joy and sorrow met at the gate that day. David’s heart broke.
Application
How do I handle mixed news, joy, and pain together? Do I speak truth with love, even when it is hard? Am I willing to slow down and sit with God in grief? How can I trust God when answers come slowly? What is God asking of me now? Can I listen quietly, wait patiently, and let God shape my heart through this season?
2 Samuel 18:19–33 (NET)
19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me run and give the king the good news that the Lord has vindicated him before his enemies.” 20 But Joab said to him, “You will not be a bearer of good news today. You will bear good news some other day, but not today, for the king’s son is dead.”
21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go and tell the king what you have seen.” After bowing to Joab, the Cushite ran off. 22 Ahimaaz the son of Zadok again spoke to Joab, “Whatever happens, let me go after the Cushite.” But Joab said, “Why is it that you want to go, my son? You have no good news that will bring you a reward.” 23 But he said, “Whatever happens, I want to go!” So Joab said to him, “Then go!” So Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Jordan plain, and he passed the Cushite.
24 Now David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate at the wall. When he looked, he saw a man running by himself. 25 So the watchman called out and informed the king. The king said, “If he is by himself, he brings good news.” The runner came ever closer.
26 Then the watchman saw another man running. The watchman called out to the gatekeeper, “There is another man running by himself.” The king said, “This one also is bringing good news.” 27 The watchman said, “It appears to me that the first runner is Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” The king said, “He is a good man, and he comes with good news.”
28 Then Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, “Greetings!” He bowed down before the king with his face toward the ground and said, “May the Lord your God be praised because he has defeated the men who opposed my lord the king!”
29 The king replied, “How is the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz replied, “I saw a great deal of confusion when Joab was sending the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was all about.” 30 The king said, “Turn aside and take your place here.” So he turned aside and waited.
31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, “May my lord the king now receive the good news! The Lord has vindicated you today and delivered you from the hand of all who have rebelled against you!” 32 The king asked the Cushite, “How is the young man Absalom?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who have plotted against you be like that young man!”
33 (19:1) The king then became very upset. He went up to the upper room over the gate and wept. As he went he said, “My son, Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I could have died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!”
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