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(2 Samuel 18:19-33) (New American Standard Bible 1995 ) 19 Then
Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and bring the king
news that the Lord has freed him from the hand of his enemies.” 20
But Joab said to him, “You are not the man to carry news this day, but
you shall carry news another day; however, you shall carry no news
today because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Then Joab said to the
Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed
to Joab and ran. 22 Now Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said once more to
Joab, “But whatever happens, please let me also run after the
Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why would you run, my son, since you will
have no reward for going?” 23 “But whatever happens,” he said, “I will
run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain
and passed up the
Cushite………………………………………………………………………………………………..more
scripture………… more
scripture……………………………27 The watchman said, “I
[b]think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz
the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “This is a good man and comes
with good news.” 28 Ahimaaz called and said to the king, “[c]All is
well.” And he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the
ground. And he said, “Blessed is the Lord your God, who has delivered
up the men who lifted their hands against my lord the king.” 29 The
king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And Ahimaaz
answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw
a great tumult, but I did Not know what it was.” 30 Then the king
said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.
31 Behold, the Cushite arrived, and the Cushite said, “Let my lord the
king receive good news, for the Lord has [d]freed you this day from
the hand of all those who rose up against you.” 32 Then the king said
to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the
Cushite answered, “Let the enemies of my lord the king, and all who
rise up against you for evil, be as that young man!” 33 [e]The king
was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept.
And thus he said as he walked, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son
Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
I might just be asking the obvious but, Why did Ahimaaz the son of Zadok run ahead of the Cushite to Only provide good news about War Victory, & Not the Bad News about Absalom’s death?
( Was Ahimaaz being a sleazy opportunist in the aforementioned scenario? Were there any benefits for Ahimaaz for bringing Only the good message? )
Update:
@vincent-wong Thanks for your response, and for referring to
( 2 Samuel 18:29 ) The king said, “Is it well with the young man
Absalom?” And Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant,
and your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did Not know what it
was.”
Therefore, we could probably assume the following about Zadok’s son, Ahimaaz, motiviations:
- Sort of a sleazy opportunist action whereby Ahimaaz wanted to show himself as the messenger of good news regarding the War Victory for King David
- Based on @vincent-wong referring to the ( 2 Samuel 18:29 ) bible verse, and subsequently ( 2 Samuel 18:32 ) bible verse that indicated the Cushite’s confirmation of Absalom’s death, Ahimaaz probably wanted to give King David a hint that Joab was in some way associated to the death of Absalom. Ahimaaz probably thought that the Cushite would Only confirm Absalom’s death, but would Not even hint that it was Joab. Therefore, Ahimaaz wanted to some how hint that Joab was behind Absalom’s death by telling King David that Joab sent him and the Cushite as messenger while there was a “great tumult” in ( 2 Samuel 18:29 ). Ultimately, David would be able to put the pieces of the puzzle together by analzying Ahimaaz told him, and then later on what the Cushite told him. Essentially, David would determine that Joab was the person that caused Absalom’s death
- Probably a combination of 1) and 2) that would suggest Ahimaaz was an opportunist, and also wanted King David to know that Joab was guilty for killing Absalom.
