2 Samuel 18:24-33 ▼

24 Now David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate at the wall. When he looked, he saw a man running by himself.

25 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.

26 Then the watchman saw another man running. The watchman called out to the gatekeeper, |There is another man running by himself.| The king said, |This one also is bringing good news.|

27 The watchman said, |It appears to me that the first runner is Ahimaaz son of Zadok.| The king said, |He is a good man, and he comes with good news.|

28 Then Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, |Greetings!| He bowed down before the king with his face toward the ground and said, |May the LORD your God be praised because he has defeated the men who opposed my lord the king!|

29 The king replied, |How is the young man Absalom?| Ahimaaz replied, |I saw a great deal of confusion when Joab was sending the king's servant and me, your servant, but I don't know what it was all about.|

30 The king said, |Turn aside and take your place here.| So he turned aside and waited.

31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, |May my lord the king now receive the good news! The LORD has vindicated you today and delivered you from the hand of all who have rebelled against you!|

32 The king asked the Cushite, |How is the young man Absalom?| The Cushite replied, |May the enemies of my lord the king and all who have plotted against you be like that young man!|

33 The king then became very upset. He went up to the upper room over the gate and wept. As he went he said, |My son, Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I could have died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!|