“Then 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. And 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. Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran. Then 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? But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi. And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was. And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still. And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee. And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is. And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:19-33).
Introduction
The civil war may have ceased but there were going to be repercussions that would last a long time. For the moment Joab tries to control what the king needs to hear and desperately seeks the best way to inform him about the death of Absalom. The two messengers dispatched by Joab have different approaches in bringing the news to David. We will also see that for a time David had lost sight of what was at stake for the kingdom, himself and his loyal followers when he absorbed himself in Absalom’s death.
Ahimaaz
Ahimaaz was Zadok’s son (2 Samuel 15:36) and had previously brought reports to David regarding what Absalom was doing (2 Samuel 17:17-22), but though he acted honourably in the past, unfortunately he lets himself down in the account before us. He was eager to take the news of Absalom’s death to the king, but such zeal could cause more problems for Joab, therefore he sought to delay him. The Geneva Study Bible suggests that Joab held Ahimaaz in high regard and may have been trying to protect his favoured relationship with David, “For Joab bore a good affection to Ahimaaz and doubted how David would take the report of Absalom's death.” Ahimaaz must have felt put out when he learned that Cushi had been sent on the mission he had literally begged for. Because he persisted in pleading to go to David, Joab allowed him to do so, though he probably thought that Cushi would get there first anyway so anything Ahimaaz said would be old news.
Joab did not count on the fact that Ahimaaz was a faster runner than Cushi and so would quickly overtake him. As we see, Ahimaaz told David very little, therefore we have to assume he simply wanted to beat Cushi to the finishing post and receive the honour of announcing victory over the enemy. In fact Ahimaaz acted as a false witness since he blatantly lied about what he knew regarding Absalom. It is obvious that David would be more concerned about his son than the outcome of the battle, so maybe Ahimaaz understood this and was too scared to tell him the truth. It is possible that he knew the story of the man who brought David news about the death of Saul and thought that the same thing might happen to him (2 Samuel 1:1-16). In reality Ahimaaz told David nothing and was unceremoniously dismissed.
Cushi
We do not know anything about Cushi other than what is recorded in the text, though we assume that his name reveals that he came from Ethiopia. Commentators suggest that every mention of his name, except that in :21, ought to read “the Cushite” because the definite article is in the Hebrew. Cushi acted honourably and respectfully in everything he did and said. He did not beg for the opportunity to report back to David, and simply told the truth when asked. Joab told him to tell David all he had seen, which he did without doctoring the details for some ulterior motive.
Though Cushi was not the speediest runner, he was the most faithful, and he had no reason to expect a reward for his obedience. He did not cross the finishing line first, but it is to him David gave full attention. His message was not designed to avoid any fallout once delievered. We cannot fail to notice that he did not refer to himself or his prowess in his message as Ahimaaz had done. He did not try to make the message more acceptable to David with flattering words as Ahimaaz did.
Conclusion
Cushi’s report, fearlessly and faithfully delivered, broke David’s heart. In the gatekeeper’s room he broke down in bitter tears and anguish over Absalom. We can be sure than no such anguish would have been displayed by Absalom had it have been David who died. Though David had the right to mourn over the death of his son, we will find that it was excessive to the point of alienating those around him who had bravely fought for him. The words “much moved” means more than the emotion he exhibited, for the Hebrew “refers to agitation of the body. A violent trembling seized the king” (R. P. Smith). Basically David was losing control of himself and experiencing a nervous breakdown. This means that he was in no fit state to fulfil his responsibilities. The sad fact is, one that others would note, that David was broken-hearted over his wicked son, but wept not one tear for the thousands who had died in battle. No doubt everyone wondered why they ever went out to battle if David wished he had died instead of Absalom. Had David forgotten the reason why he was anointed as Israel’s king? Unless he shakes himself out of this he will descend into yet another bout of backsliding, for his excessive mourning revealed his lack of faith in God. We will take up this thought again in our next study.
© 26/7/2010