<p class="bodytext">Then Joab said to the Cushite, &#8220;Go and tell the king what you have seen.&#8221; After bowing to Joab, the Cushite ran off.

<p class="bodytext">Then the Cushite arrived and said,<n id="1" /> &#8220;May my lord the king now receive the good news! The <sc>Lordsc> has vindicated you today and delivered you from the hand of all who have rebelled against you!&#8221;<n id="2" />

The king asked the Cushite, &#8220;How is the young man Absalom?&#8221; The Cushite replied, &#8220;May the enemies of my lord the king and all who have plotted against you<n id="1" /> be like that young man!&#8221;p>

But he said,<n id="1" /> &#8220;Whatever happens, I want to go!&#8221; So Joab<n id="2" /> said to him, &#8220;Then go!&#8221; So Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Jordan plain, and he passed the Cushite.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;