Bible Strands
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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The royal watchman reports from the city gate that the first runner resembles Ahimaaz son of Zadok. King David immediately interprets the sight as a sign that good news is arriving.
The words — The text uses מְרוּצַת (me.ru.Tzat) for the runner’s pace and הָ/רִאשׁ֔וֹן (ha./ri.Shon) for the first man. These terms emphasize the distinctive speed and identity of the approaching figure.
The thread — This scene parallels the watchman’s report in 2 Kings 9:20 regarding Jehu’s chariot and anticipates the New Testament theme of messengers bringing good news in Romans 10:15.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to recognize how human observation and royal expectation shape the interpretation of events before confirmation arrives. It demands attention to the gap between visual assessment and actual outcome.
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
And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 9:20 Again the watchman reported, “He reached them, but he is not coming back. And the charioteer is driving like Jehu son of Nimshi—he is driving like a madman!”
- 1 Kings 1:42 As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah, “for you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.”
- Romans 10:15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
- Proverbs 25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
- Proverbs 25:25 Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
- Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”