2 Samuel 18:19-24

David Learns of Absalom’s Death

18:19 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.” ¹  18:20 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, ²  for the king’s son is dead.”

18:21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go and tell the king what you have seen.” After bowing to Joab, the Cushite ran off. 18:22 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.” 18:23 But he said, ³  “Whatever happens, I want to go!” So Joab ⁴  said to him, “Then go!” So Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Jordan plain, and he passed the Cushite.

18:24 Now David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, ⁵  and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate at the wall. When he looked, he saw a man running by himself.

[18:19]  ¹ tn Heb “that the Lord has vindicated him from the hand of his enemies.”

[18:20]  ² tn Heb “but this day you will not bear good news.”

[18:23]  ³ tn The words “but he said” are not in the Hebrew text. They are supplied in the translation for clarity.

[18:23]  ⁴ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Joab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[18:24]  ⁵ tn Heb “the two gates.”