What does 2 Samuel 18:19 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Ahimaaz wanted to be the first to tell David the news of his victory since messengers often received a reward for bringing good news. Joab discouraged him, thinking he would also report that Absalom was dead. David would not have rewarded that news and might have slain its bearer (cf. ch1). Joab sent "the Cushite" ( 2 Samuel 18:21), possibly one of Joab"s attendants (cf. 2 Samuel 18:15), to tell David the bad news. Cushites came from the upper Nile region of Egypt (Nubia, modern Ethiopia). ^[1] Joab may have selected this man because he was a foreigner, and he may have considered him more expendable than an Israelite. [source][source]

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David seems to have concluded that a single runner bore good news, because if the army had suffered a defeat many people would have been retreating to Mahanaim. Ahimaaz may have lied about not knowing Absalom"s fate ( 2 Samuel 18:29), or he may have been telling the truth. The Cushite then arrived with the news of Absalom"s death ( 2 Samuel 18:31-32). [source][source]

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"There is a clear rule of law which connects a leader"s conduct with his fate and the fate of his house. A degenerate leader, whether it is himself who has sinned or his sons, will ultimately be deposed (see the story of Samuel and his sons ^[2]) or come to a tragic end, just as Eli and his sons die on the same day, and so do Saul and his. This law holds true of David also; ... just as in the stories of the death of Eli, Saul and their sons, in the story of Absalom there appears a runner who announces the evil tidings of his death in battle ( 2 Samuel 18:19-32); and before that, in the story of Amnon"s murder, a rumor comes to the king of the killing of all his sons, although it is found that only Amnon had been killed ( 2 Samuel 13:30-36). With this, the criticism of all four leaders described in the book of Samuel, together with their sons, reaches its conclusion." ^[2]7 [source]

"The description of Absalom"s demise resonates with allusions to Abraham"s binding of Isaac in Genesis 22.... Both Absalom and the ram are caught in a thicket (sobek/sebak). Whereas Abraham is commanded not to send forth his hand ("al tislah yadeka) unto the lad ( 2 Samuel 22:12), Joab"s soldier refuses to send forth his hand (lo" "eslah yadi) unto the son of the king ( 2 Samuel 18:12). And finally, Abraham offers up the ram in place of his son (tahat beno ^[4]). It takes a while for David to help us perceive this analogy, but finally he makes it clear: "would that I had died in place of you (tahteka), O Absalom, my Song of Solomon , my son."" ^[5] [source]

David responded here similarly to the way he did when he heard of Saul"s death (ch1). Certainly David was correct to weep over Absalom"s death. However, Joab was also correct to warn David of the consequences of failing to thank his soldiers for saving his life and kingdom. David should have tempered his personal sorrow since Absalom had rebelled against the Lord"s anointed. Since David had slain Uriah with the sword, God punished David by slaying his Song of Solomon , the fruit of his fertility, with death by the sword, too ( 2 Samuel 12:9-10; cf. Galatians 6:7). [source][source]

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Joab"s execution of Absalom cost him his position, at least temporarily ( 2 Samuel 18:13). Nevertheless, his rebuke of the king ( 2 Samuel 18:5-7) was good, as well as needed. A true friend-and Joab was a true friend to David here-will be willing to take personal risks to confront a friend in love. A wise person, such as David, will accept strong advice from a friend who really cares. [source][source]

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David"s emotions were sometimes inappropriate, loving those whom he should have hated and hating those whom he should have loved ( 2 Samuel 18:6). Similarly Amnon had hated Tamar whom he should have loved ( 2 Samuel 13:15). These emotions were common to father and Song of Solomon , both of whom committed serious injustices. ^[6] [source]

"This final "gate scene" ^[7] may call to mind the initial "gate scene" in 2 Samuel 15:2-6 which paved the way for the subsequent rebellion; thus they may form an inclusion." ^[8] [source]

Context Summary

Ahimaaz was far-famed for his swift running. He had already served the royal cause, and his family was intimate with the king, 2 Samuel 15:36; 2 Samuel 17:17. Joab was therefore unwilling to entrust the youth with tidings which must give the king bitter sorrow, and perhaps cause him to associate them ever after with the bearer. Perhaps Joab also feared that the part which he himself had taken in Absalom's death would be exposed by Ahimaaz. The tidings were therefore entrusted to an Ethiopian slave. He ran along the straight road to Mahanaim, but the young priest took the way of the plain and outran him.

Tidings are constantly pouring in upon us, some by the stranger, some by the friend. But if we trust in the Lord we shall not be afraid of them, Psalms 112:7. Only let our heart be fixed. For us also there shall arise light in the darkness, our heart shall be established, and we shall not be moved. When next you break the seal of the dreaded letter, lift your heart to God. He will bring good out of evil. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Samuel 18

¹  David viewing the armies in their march gives them charge of Absalom
⁶  The Israelites are sorely smitten in the wood of ephraim
⁹  Absalom, hanging in an oak is slain by Joab, and cast into a pit
¹⁸  Absalom's place
¹⁹  Ahimaaz and Cushi bring tidings to David
³³  David mourns for Absalom