Oct 24, 2021. II Samuel 18:19-33

Posted byJohn Sanzone

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DAVID’S AGONY.  II Samuel 18:19-33.  10/24/2021.  #42.

2 Samuel 18:19-33 [New King James Version]

19 Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, “Let me run now and take the news to the king, how the Lord has avenged him of his enemies.” 20 And Joab said to him, “You shall not take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day. But today you shall take no news, 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 himself to Joab and ran. 22 And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.” So Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, since you have no news ready?” 23 “But whatever happens,” he said, “let me run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain, and outran the Cushite. 24 Now David was sitting between the two gates. And the watchman went up to the roof over the gate, to the wall, lifted his eyes and looked, and there was a man, running alone. 25 Then the watchman cried out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he came rapidly and drew near. 26 Then the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “There is another man, running alone!” And the king said, “He also brings news.” 27 So the watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good news.” 28 So Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, “All is well!” Then he bowed down with his face to the earth before the king, and said, “Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king!” 29 The king said, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was about.” 30 And the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still. 31 Just then the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “There is good news, my lord the king! For the Lord has avenged you this day of all those who rose against you.” 32 And the king said to the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” So the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!” 33 Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!”

  1. David awaits news
    1. David is back in the city awaiting news of the battle
    1. David had no idea how his forces are doing
    1. David is concerned about his son, even though men were dying to save David from the attacks from his son
  2. The messengers and the messages
    1. Ahimaaz, son of the High Priest, Zadok, wants to run
      1.  Ah. had been the messenger from Zadok to David when Hushai would pass on info
      1.  He wanted to bring the great news to David
    1. Joab forbids Ahimaaz to run
      1.  Death of Absalom = not good news to David
      1.  David was more concerned about the welfare of Absalom than of his soldiers
      1.  Joab obviously likes Ahimaaz, so spares him
    1. Joab sends a Cushite (Ethiopian) with the news
    1. Ahimaaz still bugs Joab to go
      1.  He had no further news to relate to David
      1.  He still wants to go to David, so Joab sends him
    1. The Cushite runs the shortest route via the hills
    1. Ahimaaz takes the longer, but easier, route via the plains
      1.  Ahimaaz outruns the Cushite
      1.  Since Ahimaaz is a “good man” David assumes that the news also is good
    1. Ahimaaz announces the great victory
      1.  Instead of rejoicing over the victory the Lord had given him, David immediately inquires of his son
      1.  Ahimaaz states that he heard a great tumult, but did not know what it was about (he either feigns that he does not know or is unaware—he knew!)
    1. The lookout spots the Cushite
      1.  The Cushite declares that the king has had vengeance on his enemies this day
      1.  Again, David does not rejoice, but asked of his son
    1. The Cushite’s answer to David was wise and insightful
      1.  May all of David’s enemies who oppose him be like that young man
      1.  He reminds David that Absalom was his enemy, the opposition, sought to do David harm, rebel, a “young man”
      1.  He reminds David of all the evil Absalom did
  3. David mourns
    1. Instead of rejoicing at the victory, David mourns his son
    1. By stating that he would have rather died instead of Absalom, he insults his soldiers by indicating their sacrifice was neither appreciated or honored
    1. David has a real blind spot when it comes to his son
      1.  The laws of the kingdom must apply to his family as it does everyone else’s family
      1.  David mourns the loss of his son in a way that puts Absalom above all of David’s loyal subjects
    1. Proper perspective is that we honor the Lord more than anything else
      1.  Leviticus 10 Aaron was not to mourn loss of his 2 sons
      1.  Matthew 10:37 to honor parents above Lord, one is not worthy of the Lord
      1.  Eli honored sons above honoring God