David Hears of Absalom's Death

2 Samuel 18

19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, d "Let me run and carry news to the king that e the Lord has delivered him from the hand of his enemies." 20 And Joab said to him, "You are not to carry news today. You may carry news another day, but today you shall carry no news, because the king's son is dead." 21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran. 22 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, "Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite." And Joab said, "Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?" 23 "Come what may," he said, "I will run." So he said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of f the plain, and outran the Cushite.

24 Now David g was sitting between the two gates, and h 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. 25 The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, "If he is alone, there is news in his mouth." And he drew nearer and nearer. 26 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." 27 The watchman said, "I think the running of the first is i like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok." And the king said, j "He is a good man and comes with good news."

28 Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, "All is well." And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, k "Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king." 29 And the king said, l "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab sent the king's servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was." 30 And the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So he turned aside and stood still.

  1. Cross References
    2 Samuel 15:36
    Behold, their two sons are with them there, Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, and Jonathan, Abiathar's son, and by them you shall send to me everything you hear.
  2. Cross References
    2 Samuel 18:31
    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.
  3. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 34:3
    The Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar.
  4. Cross References
    2 Samuel 19:8
    Then the king arose and took his seat in the gate. And the people were all told, "Behold, the king is sitting in the gate." And all the people came before the king. Now Israel had fled every man to his own home.
  5. Cross References
    2 Samuel 13:34
    But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming from the road behind him by the side of the mountain.
    2 Kings 9:17
    Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came and said, "I see a company." And Joram said, "Take a horseman and send to meet them, and let him say, 'Is it peace?'
  6. Cross References
    2 Kings 9:20
    Again the watchman reported, "He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi, for he drives furiously.
  7. Cross References
    1 Kings 1:42
    While he was still speaking, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came. And Adonijah said, "Come in, for you are a worthy man and bring good news.
  8. Cross References
    Genesis 14:20
    And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
  9. Cross References
    2 Samuel 20:9
    And Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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