2 Samuel 18:22-33 ▼

22 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, Why should not I too run after Cushi? And Joab said to him, Why will you run, my son, seeing no one will give you a reward for the tidings?

23 He said to him, What is the difference? Let me run. And he said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and passed Cushi.

24 Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate to the wall, and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and saw a man running alone.

25 And the watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, if he is alone, there are tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.

26 And the watchman drew near toward the gate, and said, Behold, another man is running alone;

27 Moreover the watchman said, I see the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said. He is a good man and comes with good tidings.

28 And the king called to Ahimaaz, and said to him, Have you come in peace? And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth, and said, Blessed be the LORD your God, who delivered up the men who lifted their hands against my lord the king.

29 Then the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, I saw a great army arrayed against Joab the servant of my lord the king, but I your servant knew not what was the outcome.

30 And the king said to him, Turn aside and stand here. And he turned aside and stood still.

31 And, behold, Cushi came; and he said, Tidings, my lord the king! for the LORD has avenged you this day from the hand of all those who rose up against you.

32 And the king said to Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, Let your enemies, my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil be as that young man is.

33 And the king was overcome, and went up to his bedchamber and wept; and as he wept, he said, O my son Absalom. my son, my son Absalom! Would that I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son!