So the watchman called out and informed the king. The king said, &#8220;If he is by himself, he brings good news.&#8221;<n id="1" /> The runner<n id="2" /> came ever closer.p>

when someone told me that Saul was dead &#8211; even though he thought he was bringing good news<n id="1" /> &#8211; I seized him and killed him in Ziklag. That was the good news I gave to him!

But Joab said to him, &#8220;You will not be a bearer of good news today. You will bear good news some other day, but not today,<n id="1" /> for the king&#8217;s son is dead.&#8221;p>

Ahimaaz the son of Zadok again spoke to Joab, &#8220;Whatever happens, let me go after the Cushite.&#8221; But Joab said, &#8220;Why is it that you want to go, my son? You have no good news that will bring you a reward.&#8221;

The watchman said, &#8220;It appears to me that the first runner is Ahimaaz<n id="1" /> son of Zadok.&#8221; The king said, &#8220;He is a good man, and he comes with good news.&#8221;p>

Then they said to one another, &#8220;It&#8217;s not right what we&#8217;re doing! This is a day to celebrate, but we haven&#8217;t told anyone.<n id="1" /> If we wait until dawn,<n id="2" /> we&#8217;ll be punished.<n id="3" /> So come on, let&#8217;s go and inform the royal palace.&#8221;