2 samuel 18:19 - Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me now run, and carry the king news, how Yahweh has avenged him of his enemies.”

Generated Verse: 2 samuel 18:19

What does "2 samuel 18:19" mean?


This verse, 2 Samuel 18:19, is a pivotal moment in the aftermath of the battle where Absalom, King David's rebellious son, has been killed. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:

"Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said...": Ahimaaz was the son of Zadok, a high priest who remained loyal to King David during Absalom's rebellion. He was positioned to be a reliable and trustworthy messenger for the king.

"...“Let me now run, and carry the king news...": Ahimaaz is volunteering to be the first to bring news to King David. In this time, news was delivered by runners, and being the first to deliver important news could bring honor and favor.

"...how Yahweh has avenged him of his enemies.”": This is the crucial part. Ahimaaz frames the news in a specific way. He wants to tell David that "Yahweh" (the Lord, God) has "avenged" him of his "enemies." In other words, Ahimaaz believes it's important for David to know that God has been on his side in defeating Absalom and the rebels. It's a way of emphasizing that the victory is a divine blessing and justification for David's kingship. It is also Ahimaaz way of trying to convey the message without having to say that Absalom is dead since he knew how much David loved Absalom.

In essence, this verse shows Ahimaaz offering to be the messenger of victory to David, but he is framing the message in a way that emphasizes God's role and potentially softens the blow of the news regarding Absalom. He wants to highlight the positive outcome of the battle (David's victory) while avoiding explicitly mentioning the potentially devastating detail of Absalom's death (although he might hope David infers it). This sets the stage for the subsequent events and the complex emotions that David will experience upon hearing the full story.

What categories does "2 samuel 18:19" have?