2 Samuel 18:19-33
19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and bring the king news that the Lord has freed him from the hand of his enemies!”
20 But Joab said to him, “You are not the man to bring news this day, but you shall bring news another day; however, you shall bring no news this day, because the king’s son is dead.”
21 Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran.
22 However, Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said once more to Joab, “But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why would you run, my son, since you will have no messenger’s reward for going?”
23 “But whatever happens,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed by the Cushite.
24 Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went to the roof of the gate by the wall, and raised his eyes and looked; and behold, a man was running by himself.
25 So the watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is by himself there is good news in his mouth.” And he came nearer and nearer.
26 Then the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “Behold, another man is running by himself.” And the king said, “This one also is bringing good news.”
27 The watchman said, “I think the running form of the first one is like the running form of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “This is a good man, and he is coming with good news.”
28 Then Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, “All is well.” And he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground. And he said, “Blessed is the Lord your God, who has turned over the men who raised their hands against my lord the king.”
29 But the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I did not know what it was.”
30 Then the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.
31 Then behold, the Cushite arrived, and the Cushite said, “Let my lord the king receive good news, for the Lord has freed you this day from the hand of all those who rose up against you.”
32 Then the king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be like that young man!”
33 Then the king trembled and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And this is what he said as he walked: “My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!”
David’s Lament
Two messengers
Ahimaaz was a swift-footed messenger and a man of good character. (1) He volunteered to bring the good news of victory to David, eagerly asking Joab to let him deliver the message. (2) However, Joab decided to send a Cushite (an Ethiopian) instead, because the report also included the tragic news of Absalom’s death. Joab judged that if a foreigner delivered the news, he would not incur David’s wrath. (3) However, because Ahimaaz persistently insisted on being sent, Joab eventually gave him permission. (4) Ahimaaz chose to run through the Jordan Valley. Though it was a longer route in terms of distance, it was much easier to run than the mountainous path taken by the Cushite messenger. As a result, he passed by the Cushite.
David waiting for good news
David was sitting between the two gates, waiting earnestly for good news. (1) When it was confirmed that the first messenger was Ahimaaz, David thought that as he is a good man, he must be bringing good news. (2) Bowing before the king, Ahimaaz reported only the victory and said nothing about Absalom’s death. When the king asked about Absalom’s well-being, he gave a vague answer. It seems he had intended to arrive before the Cushite and deliver only the news of the victory. (3) When the Cushite arrived afterward, David again asked about Absalom’s well-being. The Cushite then reported to the king that Absalom had died. David was devastated. Calling out the name of his beloved son, he withdrew to an upstairs room and wept, continually lamenting that he wished he had died instead. While some criticize David for grieving excessively, others see in his sorrowful figure a reflection of the image of the Heavenly Father. Absalom was a rebel, a son who rightly deserved to be destroyed. Yet David mourned for him in grief, lamenting that he wished he could have taken his place. The Heavenly Father likewise weeps over sinners. He revealed His love for us by giving His Son Jesus to be crucified. The words “God is love” are indeed true.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, Your love is true and unchanging for all eternity. May I live today in response to Your love. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.