2 Samuel 18:19-23 Meaning: Why Ahimaaz Ran Anyway
19Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me now run and carry the king news, how Yahweh has avenged him of his enemies.”
20Joab said to him, “You must not be the bearer of news today, but you must carry news another day. But today you must carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.”
21Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen!” The Cushite bowed himself to Joab, and ran.
22Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said yet again to Joab, “But come what may, please let me also run after the Cushite.” Joab said, “Why do you want to run, my son, since you will have no reward for the news?”
23“But come what may,” he said, “I will run.” He said to him, “Run!” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.
19Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the Lord hath avenged him of his enemies.
20And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.
21Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
22Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
23But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
19Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that Jehovah hath avenged him of his enemies.
20And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not be the bearer of tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day; but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king’s son is dead.
21Then said Joab to the Cushite, Go, tell the king what thou hast seen. And the Cushite bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
22Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But come what may, let me, I pray thee, also run after the Cushite. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou wilt have no reward for the tidings?
23But come what may, said he, I will run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.
19And Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, `Let me run, I pray thee, and I bear the king tidings, for Jehovah hath delivered him out of the hand of his enemies;'
20and Joab saith to him, `Thou art not a man of tidings this day, but thou hast borne tidings on another day, and this day thou dost not bear tidings, because the king's son is dead.'
21And Joab saith to Cushi, `Go, declare to the king that which thou hast seen;' and Cushi boweth himself to Joab, and runneth.
22And Ahimaaz son of Zadok addeth again, and saith unto Joab, `And whatever it be, let me run, I pray thee, I also, after the Cushite.' And Joab saith, `Why is this--thou art running, my son, and for thee there are no tidings found?' --
23`And, whatever it be, said he, let me run.' And he saith to him, `Run;' and Ahimaaz runneth the way of the circuit, and passeth by the Cushite.
19And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, Let me run, I pray, and carry the king the news that Jehovah has avenged him of his enemies.
20And Joab said to him, Thou shalt not be a bearer of news to-day, but thou shalt carry the news another day; but to-day thou shalt carry no news, because the king's son is dead.
21Then said Joab to the Cushite, Go, tell the king what thou hast seen. And the Cushite bowed himself to Joab, and ran.
22And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said yet again to Joab, Come what may, let me, I pray thee, also run after the Cushite. And Joab said, Why wilt thou run, my son, seeing that there is no news suited [to thee]?
23— But, come what may, let me run. And he said to him, Run. And Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outstripped the Cushite.
Meaning in one sentence
Ahimaaz was eager to tell David of victory, but Joab knew Absalom's death would break the king's heart. This passage shows the tension between zeal and wisdom.
Context
David had defeated Absalom's rebellion, but at a cost he never wanted. Joab killed Absalom against the king's explicit command. Now messengers must run to David at Mahanaim with the news of victory. Ahimaaz, a priest's son who had been a loyal messenger for David during the uprising, wanted to be the one to carry the report that God had vindicated His king. But Joab knew something Ahimaaz did not: the victory was poisoned by the death of David's son. He sent a foreign slave, the Cushite, instead, sparing Ahimaaz the grief of delivering such mixed news. But Ahimaaz would not be stopped.
Key Words
The Hebrew word behind 'bear tidings' is basar, used almost exclusively for good news. Joab's refusal to let Ahimaaz run points to this: today the news is not good. The word 'avenged' (shaphat) means to judge or vindicate, Ahimaaz saw only the justice side, that God had delivered the king from his enemies. He missed the other side. And the word 'run' (ruts) appears again and again. Ahimaaz ran for the joy of being the messenger. Yet Joab's question stands: why run when there is no reward for the news? We too can be eager to announce what we think is victory, without realizing the sorrow it carries for someone else. The same word for 'news' can mean life to one and death to another.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators have noted several angles. Matthew Henry points out that Ahimaaz was a good man, and Joab respected him enough to keep him from a painful task. The Cambridge Bible observes that Joab sent a foreign slave who had less to lose by the king's anger. Others highlight Ahimaaz's persistence as admirable: he ran even when there was no reward. Christians across traditions have seen in this passage a call to discernment, zeal must be paired with wisdom about how the message will land. Some read it as a picture of how God's messengers must be sensitive to the full truth, not just the part that excites them.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
This week, you might be eager to share something you see as good news: a win at work, a vindication in a conflict, a piece of information that puts you in a good light. But before you run with it, ask yourself: who will this news hurt? Does the person I am telling carry grief I do not see? Ahimaaz's story invites us to slow down just long enough to consider the whole picture. Not to stop running, but to run with awareness.
Main takeaway: Eagerness to deliver good news must be matched by wisdom about how it will be received, for even victory can carry hidden grief.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Ahimaaz wanted to run and tell the king great news. But Joab knew the news was not all good. Sometimes we need to wait and listen before we tell others something.
For ages 9, 12
Ahimaaz outran the other messenger because he was so eager. But he did not know the saddest part of the story. This passage teaches us that being fast is not enough. We need to understand the whole situation before we speak. It is good to be eager, but it is better to be wise.
Questions People Ask
Why did Joab refuse to let Ahimaaz carry the news first?
Joab knew the victory would be overshadowed by the death of Absalom. Ahimaaz, as a priest's son and favored by David, would have to deliver news that would break the king's heart. Joab sent a foreign slave instead, sparing Ahimaaz from bearing such painful tidings.
What does 'bear tidings' mean in Hebrew?
The word is basar, and it almost always means to bear good news. That is why Joab says Ahimaaz cannot be the messenger today, there are no good tidings to carry, because the king's son is dead.
Who was the Cushite?
The Cushite was a foreign slave, likely from Ethiopia, serving in Joab's army. He had less to lose by the king's anger, so Joab trusted him with the hard task. He bowed to Joab and ran immediately.
How did Ahimaaz outrun the Cushite?
Ahimaaz ran by 'the way of the plain,' which refers to the flat Jordan Valley floor. The Cushite probably took a shorter but steeper hill route. Ahimaaz's path was longer but faster, so he arrived first.
Did Ahimaaz lie when he said he did not know about Absalom?
No. Joab had not told Ahimaaz the full details. Ahimaaz knew only the general victory. When David asked about his son, Ahimaaz could only say he saw a great disturbance. His ignorance was genuine.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study