Bible Strands
2 Samuel 18:29
The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The king questions Ahimaaz about Absalom’s welfare immediately after Ahimaaz announces victory and bows. Ahimaaz answers before the king later commands him to step aside in the following verse.
The words — The text highlights שָׁלוֹם (sha.Lom, “peace/welfare”) directed to לְ/אַבְשָׁל֑וֹם (le./'av.sha.Lom, “to Absalom”) and רָאִיתִי (ra.'i.Ti, “I saw”) in Ahimaaz’s reply. These terms frame the king’s direct concern and the messenger’s deliberate refusal to confirm the prince’s status.
The thread — The king’s inquiry echoes the greeting formula in 2 Samuel 20:9 where Joab asks Amasa, “Are you well?” while contrasting with the earlier command in 2 Samuel 18:5 to spare Absalom. Ahimaaz’s hesitation to report the outcome parallels his earlier insistence to outrun the Cushite in 2 Samuel 18:22.
Why it lands — The passage forces a reader to confront the tension between military victory and personal grief. It requires acknowledging that good news of battle does not automatically resolve the king’s private anguish.
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 king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 18:22 Ahimaaz son of Zadok, however, persisted and said to Joab, “No matter what, please let me also run behind the Cushite!” “My son,” Joab replied, “why do you want to run, since you will not receive a reward?”
- 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.”
- 2 Samuel 20:9 “Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.