Bible Strands
2 Samuel 18:19
Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Ahimaaz son of Zadok addresses Joab immediately after the battle, volunteering to run to King David with victory news.
The words — The Hebrew אָר֣וּצָה ('a.Ru.tzah) means "let me run," and וַ/אֲבַשְּׂרָ֖ה (va./'a.va.se.Rah) literally translates to "and let me bear [the] news to," emphasizing urgent physical movement and message delivery.
The thread — This messenger role connects to his earlier positioning at En-rogel with Jonathan (2 Samuel 17:17), his designation as David’s spy network (2 Samuel 15:36), and the eventual delivery of the same victory report by the Cushite (2 Samuel 18:31).
Why it lands — The text records Ahimaaz’s offer to run and Joab’s immediate refusal. This sequence shows that military protocol and the king’s grief override personal eagerness to report divine victory.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 15:36 Indeed, their two sons, Ahimaaz son of Zadok and Jonathan son of Abiathar, are there with them. Send them to me with everything you hear.”
- 2 Samuel 18:31 Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: Today the LORD has avenged you of all who rose up against you!”
- 2 Samuel 17:17 Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, for they dared not be seen entering the city.
- 2 Samuel 18:23 “No matter what, I want to run!” he replied. “Then run!” Joab told him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.
- 2 Samuel 18:27 The watchman said, “The first man appears to me to be running like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” “This is a good man,” said the king. “He comes with good news.”
- Psalms 7:6 Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; rise up against the fury of my enemies. Awake, my God, and ordain judgment.
- Psalms 7:8 The LORD judges the peoples; vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and integrity.
- Psalms 9:4 For You have upheld my just cause; You sit on Your throne judging righteously.
- Psalms 9:16 The LORD is known by the justice He brings; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion Selah
- Psalms 10:14 But You have regarded trouble and grief; You see to repay it by Your hand. The victim entrusts himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.