2 Samuel 18:25
◄  2 Samuel 18:25  ►
New International Version (©2011)
The watchman called out to the king and reported it. The king said, "If he is alone, he must have good news." And the runner came closer and closer.

New Living Translation (©2007)
He shouted the news down to David, and the king replied, "If he is alone, he has news." As the messenger came closer,

English Standard Version (©2001)
The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
The watchman called 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.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
He called out and told the king. The king said, "If he's alone, he bears good news." As the first runner came closer,

International Standard Version (©2012)
So the watchman called out his news to the king. The king responded, "If he's alone, he's bringing some news to report." As the man continued to draw near and approach the palace,

NET Bible (©2006)
So the watchman called out and informed the king. The king said, "If he is by himself, he brings good news." The runner came ever closer.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The watchman called and alerted the king. "If he's alone," the king said, "he has good news to tell." The runner continued to come closer.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he is alone, there are tidings in his mouth. And he came rapidly, and drew near.

American King James Version
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.

American Standard Version
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.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And crying out he told the king: and the king said: If he be alone, there are good tidings in his mouth. And as he was coming apace, and drawing nearer,

Darby Bible Translation
And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is news in his mouth. And he came on and drew near.

English Revised Version
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the watchman called, and told the king. And the king said, If he is alone there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.

World English Bible
The watchman cried, and told the king. The king said, "If he is alone, there is news in his mouth." He came closer and closer.

Young's Literal Translation
And the watchman calleth, and declareth to the king, and the king saith, 'If by himself, tidings are in his mouth;' and he cometh, coming on and drawing near.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

18:19-33 By directing David to give God thanks for his victory, Ahimaaz prepared him for the news of his son's death. The more our hearts are fixed and enlarged, in thanksgiving to God for our mercies, the better disposed we shall be to bear with patience the afflictions mixed with them. Some think David's wish arose from concern about Absalom's everlasting state; but he rather seems to have spoken without due thought. He is to be blamed for showing so great fondness for a graceless son. Also for quarrelling with Divine justice. And for opposing the justice of the nation, which, as king, he had to administer, and which ought to be preferred before natural affection. The best men are not always in a good frame; we are apt to over-grieve for what we over-loved. But while we learn from this example to watch and pray against sinful indulgence, or neglect of our children, may we not, in David, perceive a shadow of the Saviour's love, who wept over, prayed for, and even suffered death for mankind, though vile rebels and enemies.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 25. - If he be alone. In case of defeat there would have been a crowd of runaways in eager flight. And when soon afterwards a second courier is seen, as he also is alone, and comes by a different route, his appearance only suggests the idea of completer tidings. And quickly the foremost is recognized by his running as the son of the high priest, and David is then assured that all has gone well, because Joab would not have sent a man of such rank to be the bearer of bad news. The word good may also mean that Ahimaaz was too brave a man to have fled from the battle, and must, therefore, have come on an errand from Joab.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the watchman cried and told the king,.... Called with a loud voice from the roof of the watchtower to the king, sitting between the gates, and informed him what he saw:

and the king said, if he be alone there is tidings in his mouth; for if the army was routed and fled, and were pursued, there would be more in company, or several running one after another; but being but one, it was highly improbable that he was sent express:

and he came apace, and drew near; which was another sign of his being a messenger, the haste he made towards the city.

2 Samuel 18:25 Parallel Commentaries

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Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


David Mourns for Absalom
…24And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. 25And 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. 26And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called to the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also brings tidings. …

2 Samuel 18:24 While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone.
2 Samuel 18:26 Then the watchman saw another runner, and he called down to the gatekeeper, "Look, another man running alone!" The king said, "He must be bringing good news, too."