2 Samuel 18:28
Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, "All is well!" And he bowed facedown before the king. He continued, "Blessed be the LORD your God! He has delivered up the men who raised their hands against my lord the king."
Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!”

Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok the priest, had already proved loyal to David during Absalom’s conspiracy. Having outrun the Cushite messenger, he announced the defeat of the rebellion before revealing any details concerning Absalom. The words offered reassurance that David’s forces had prevailed, though David’s concern remained fixed on the fate of his son.

2Ki 5:22 “Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied.…
2Ki 4:26 Please run out now to meet her and ask, ‘Are you all right?…
1Sa 25:6 Long life to you, and peace to you and to your house…

And he bowed facedown before the king.

Ahimaaz honored David as Israel’s rightful king and the LORD’s anointed servant. His posture of humility recognized David’s authority and reflected the proper reverence owed to the ruler whom God had established over Israel.

1Ki 1:23 So the king was told, “Nathan the prophet is here.”…
1Ki 1:31 Bathsheba bowed facedown in homage to the king…
1Ki 1:16 And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king,…

He continued, “Blessed be the LORD your God!

Ahimaaz gave God credit for the victory rather than praising David’s commanders or his own speed in bringing the news. Israel’s deliverance rested ultimately upon the LORD, who had preserved David’s kingdom despite the strength of Absalom’s rebellion.

1Sa 25:32-33 Then David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD,…
1Ki 1:48 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel! Today…
Gen 14:20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies…

He has delivered up the men who raised their hands against my lord the king.”

Absalom and his supporters had rejected God’s appointed king and brought violence upon the nation. Their defeat displayed God’s justice and His faithfulness to the covenant promises given to David. Yet the victory carried deep sorrow, because Absalom’s death also revealed the painful consequences of David’s earlier sin and the continuing discipline announced through Nathan.

1Sa 26:8 Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand.…
1Sa 24:18 And you have declared this day how you have treated me well,…
2Sa 5:19 So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ahimaaz
The son of Zadok the priest, Ahimaaz was a swift runner and a loyal messenger for King David. He was known for his eagerness to deliver news, even when it was difficult.

2. King David
The second king of Israel, David was a man after God's own heart. At this point in the account, he is dealing with the rebellion led by his son Absalom.

3. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, is invoked here as the one who delivers and protects His anointed king, David.

4. The Men Who Raised Their Hands Against the King
This refers to Absalom and his followers who rebelled against King David, seeking to overthrow his rule.

5. The Battle
The context of this verse is the aftermath of the battle in the forest of Ephraim, where David's forces defeated Absalom's army.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Deliverance
Recognize that God is in control of all situations, and He delivers His people according to His will and purpose.

The Role of a Faithful Messenger
Like Ahimaaz, we are called to be faithful messengers of God's truth, delivering His message with integrity and courage.

The Importance of Giving Glory to God
Ahimaaz's immediate response was to bless the LORD. We should always give credit to God for victories and deliverances in our lives.

Trust in God's Justice
Even in times of rebellion and conflict, trust that God will bring justice and uphold His anointed.

The Power of Encouragement
Ahimaaz's message brought encouragement to David. We should strive to be sources of encouragement to others, especially in times of distress.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Ahimaaz's message to King David reflect his understanding of God's role in the battle's outcome?

2. In what ways can we be faithful messengers of God's truth in our own lives, similar to Ahimaaz?

3. How does the theme of divine deliverance in 2 Samuel 18:28 connect with other instances of God's deliverance in the Bible?

4. What can we learn from Ahimaaz's example about the importance of giving glory to God in our victories?

5. How can we apply the principle of trusting in God's justice when facing personal conflicts or challenges today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 3
This psalm, attributed to David during Absalom's rebellion, reflects David's trust in God's deliverance, similar to the message Ahimaaz brings.

1 Samuel 17:47
David's declaration that "the battle is the LORD's" during his confrontation with Goliath echoes the theme of divine deliverance found in Ahimaaz's message.

Romans 8:31
The assurance that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" parallels the confidence in God's deliverance expressed by Ahimaaz.
A Good Messenger of Good NewsG. Wood
People
Abishai, Absalom, Ahimaaz, Cushi, David, Israelites, Ittai, Joab, Zadok, Zeruiah
Places
King's Valley, Mahanaim
Topics
Ahimaaz, Ahi'ma-az, Arms, Blessed, Bowed, Boweth, Calleth, Cried, Crying, Delivered, Face, Falling, Fell, Ground, Hands, Lifted, Peace, Praise, Praised, Prostrated, Raised, Shut
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Samuel 18:28

     5138   bowing
     8650   hands, lifting up

2 Samuel 18:19-32

     5426   news

2 Samuel 18:21-32

     5178   running

2 Samuel 18:28-33

     5087   David, reign of

Library
The Wail of a Broken Heart
'Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale; for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance; and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's Place. 19. 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. 20. And Joab said unto him. Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day; but
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Church and the Young Man.
A Sermon Delivered on Sabbath Morning, November 4, 1866, In The First Presbyterian Church, Troy, At The Request of The Young Men's Christian Association. 2 Sam. xviii, 5. "And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai saying, deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom." There are few passages of Holy writ more beautiful or suggestive than this. Notwithstanding the astounding character of Absalom's rebellion; though the mind of the sovereign and father of his people is
Rev. Marvin R. Vincent.—Amusement: A Force in Christian Training

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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