2 Samuel 18:21-32

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:19-33

Absalom's business is done; and we are now told, I. How David was informed of it. He staid behind at the city of Mahanaim, some miles from the wood where the battle was, and in the utmost border of the land. Absalom's scattered forces all made homeward toward Jordan, which was the contrary way from Mahanaim, so that his watchmen could not perceive how the battle went, till an express came on purpose to bring advice of the issue, which the king sat in the gate expecting to hear, 2 Sam. 18:24.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:21

Then said Joab to Cushi ,.... The Ethiopian, or blackamoor; who either was an Ethiopian by birth and proselyted, or he was an Israelite of a black complexion, and therefore so called; and was judged a proper person by the general to carry such dismal news to the king, as he knew it would be. Some Jewish writers F1 Pirke Eliezer, c. 53. take him to be the same with Cush the Benjaminite, in the title of the seventh psalm, Psalm 7:1 ; and that he is the same that told Joab he saw... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:22

Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab ,.... He could not be easy, even though a messenger was dispatched, but pressed Joab still: but howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi ; only permit me to go after him, though not as a messenger: and Joab said, wherefore wilt thou run, my son ? having a great affection for him, and concerned that he should take trouble on him to no purpose: seeing thou hast no tidings ready ; no news to carry, but what Cushi is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:23

But howsoever ( said he ) let me run ,.... Be it as it may, I beg I may have leave; and being so very importunate, it was granted: and he said unto him, run ; since he would take no denial: then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi ; who ran by the way of the mountains; which though the shorter way, that through the plain was easiest, and soonest run, though the longest. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:24

And David sat between the two gates ,.... Of the city of Mahanaim; which being a fortified place had two walls, one within another, and in each wall a gate; and between these David sat, waiting for news of the battle: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall ; the gate to the outward wall, over which was a tower, and on that a flat roof; to which the watchman went to observe if he could see an express coming; no doubt by David's orders: and lifted up his eyes... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:25

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:26

And the watchman saw another man running ,.... At a further distance: and the watchman called unto the porter ; that kept the gate, under which the watchtower was: and said, behold, another man runneth alone ; as the other, and has the same appearance of a messenger: and the king said, he also bringeth tidings ; it being usual then, as now, to dispatch one messenger after another, as fresh accounts coming in made it necessary. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:27

And the watchman said, me thinketh ,.... Or, "I see" F2 אני ראה εγω ορω , Sept. "ego videns", Montanus; "video", Tigurine version. ; I perceive, so it appears to me: that the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok ; who it seems was well known, and famous for his manner of running and swiftness in it, having been employed in carrying expresses before from Jerusalem to David, and his army, wheresoever they were; and some of these persons thus... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:28

And Ahimaaz called and said unto the king ,.... As soon as he came so near as to be heard by him, before he came up to him, he said with a loud voice: all is well ; the king's army has had success, beat the rebels, and obtained a complete victory: or "peace" F5 שלום ειρηνη , Sept. "pax", Montanus, Pagninus; "salus", Tigurine version; "salve rex", V. L. ; for it is but one word in the original, which signifies all happiness and prosperity, and this he wished the king; and so it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:29

And the king said, is the young man Absalom safe ?.... Or, is there "peace" F6 שלום לנער "estne pax puero?" V. L. "pax puero", Pagninus, Montanus. to him? you say there is peace, and that prosperity and success have attended my army; but what peace has Absalom? is he well, and in safety? David seemed more concerned for him than for his army and the success of it; and even suggests as if it was nothing if Absalom was not safe, so great were his affections towards him: and Ahimaaz... read more

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