2 Samuel 18:26-27 NIV

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 18:26

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:19-33

The facts are: 1 . Ahimaaz being eager to convey tidings of victory to the king, is denied permission by Joab, who, however, sends Cushi. 2 . Persisting in his desire to run after Cushi, Joab at last allows him to go. 3 . The watchman at the gate of the city reports to the king that a runner is in sight, followed by another, whereupon David takes courage, and hopes for good news. 4 . On Ahimaaz being the first to arrive, he briefly announces that all is well, and then... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:27

A good messenger of good news. "He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings." Underlying this phrase is probably the feeling that there is a congruity between good tidings and a good man. David may have thought that such a messenger as Ahimaaz would not have been sent with bad news; and, indeed, Joab was unwilling that he should run with the news, because he knew how grievous part of it would be to David. It may be permissible to take these words as applicable to the proclaimers of the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Samuel 18:27-29

2 Samuel 18:27-29. He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings He is true to my interest, and loves me well, and therefore would not afflict me with evil tidings. Blessed be the Lord thy God, which hath delivered. &c. Like a truly religious man, he ascribes the victory which they had obtained unto the Lord; who still showed his mercy unto David, and continued to be his God and benefactor. Is the young man Absalom safe? David is so much a father that he forgets he is a king;... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

War between Absalom and David (17:1-19:8)Ahithophel advised Absalom that he needed to do only one thing to make his throne secure, and that was kill David. If he did this swiftly, without war or unnecessary bloodshed, the people would soon be fully behind him (17:1-4). Hushai, wishing to gain time for David to escape and organize his troops, advised against such a risky operation, for David was a very experienced soldier. He recommended that the whole Israelite army be assembled and Absalom... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 18:26

porter = gatekeeper. No gates without the "Bawab "or gatekeeper. Compare 2 Kings 7:17 . 1 Chronicles 9:21 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Samuel 18:27

good . Compare 1 Kings 1:42 . read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Samuel 18:1-33

The Defeat and Death of Absalom1. Numbered] rather, ’mustered.’3. Succour us out of the city] David, holding Mahanaim with a sufficient force, would be of the greatest assistance to the fugitives, if his army were defeated. 5. The people heard] This statement explains 2 Samuel 18:12.6. The wood of Ephraim] LXX reads ’Mahanaim’ here. 8. The battle was there scattered] So Joab was able to destroy Absalom’s forces in detail. The wood devoured, etc.] The thickness of the wood, its swamps,... read more