2 Samuel 18:20

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, ¹  for the king’s son is dead.”

2 Samuel 1:20

1:20 Don’t report it in Gath,

don’t spread the news in the streets of Ashkelon, ² 

or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice,

the daughters of the uncircumcised will celebrate!

2 Samuel 18:19

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.” ³ 

2 Samuel 18:31

18:31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, ⁴  “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!” ⁵ 

2 Samuel 4:10

4:10 when someone told me that Saul was dead – even though he thought he was bringing good news ⁶  – I seized him and killed him in Ziklag. That was the good news I gave to him!

2 Samuel 18:26

18:26 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.”

[18:20]  ¹ tn Heb “but this day you will not bear good news.”

[1:20]  ² sn The cities of Gath and Ashkelon are mentioned here by synecdoche of part for the whole. As major Philistine cities they in fact represent all of Philistia. The point is that when the sad news of fallen Israelite leadership reaches the Philistines, it will be for these enemies of Israel the occasion of great joy rather than grief.

[18:19]  ³ tn Heb “that the Lord has vindicated him from the hand of his enemies.”

[18:31]  ⁴ tn Heb “And look, the Cushite came and the Cushite said.”

[18:31]  ⁵ tn Heb “for the Lord has vindicated you today from the hand of all those rising against you.”

[4:10]  ⁵ tn Heb “and he was like a bearer of good news in his eyes.”