Runners Bring David The News Of Absalom’S Death

19Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and bring news to the king, for Yahweh has delivered him from the hand of his enemies.”

20Joab said to him, “You are not a bearer of news today. You may carry news on another day, but today you must not carry news, because the king’s son is dead.”

21Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” And the Cushite bowed down to Joab and ran.

22Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said again to Joab, “Whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.” But Joab said, “Why would you run, my son, since you have no message that will bring reward?”

23But he said, “Whatever happens, let me run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain and passed the Cushite.

24David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was running alone.

25Then the watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is by himself, there is news in his mouth.” And he kept coming nearer and nearer.

26Then the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “Look, a man is running by himself.” And the king said, “He also brings news.”

27Then the watchman said, “I see the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man, and he comes with good news.”

28Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, “Peace!” Then he bowed down before the king with his face to the ground and said, “Blessed be Yahweh your God, who has delivered up the men who lifted their hand against my lord the king.”

29And the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz said, “I saw a great commotion when Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, but I did not know what it was.”

30The king said, “Turn aside; stand here.” So he turned aside and stood.

31And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “Let my lord the king receive the good news, for Yahweh has vindicated you today from the hand of all who rose up against you.”

32Then the king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite said, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be like that young man.”