John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:32
And the king said unto Cushi, is the young man Absalom safe ?.... The same question that was put to Ahimaaz, 2 Samuel 18:29 ; which shows what lay nearest his heart, and was uppermost in his mind: and Cushi answered, the enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is , which was tacitly saying he was dead, and so David understood it; and he expressed it in such a manner, that David could not be displeased with the messenger;... read more
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