King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
Complete Jewish Bible:
But Achima'atz the son of Tzadok said again to Yo'av, "Come what may, please let me also run after the Ethiopian." Yo'av answered, "Why do you want to run, my son? You won't receive any reward for bringing the news."
Berean Standard Bible:
Ahimaaz son of Zadok, however, persisted and said to Joab, “Regardless of whatever may happen, 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?”
American Standard Version:
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But come what may, let me, I pray thee, also run after the Cushite. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou wilt have no reward for the tidings?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Then said{H559} Ahimaaz{H290} the son{H1121} of Zadok{H6659} yet again{H3254} to Joab{H3097}, But howsoever{H4100}, let me, I pray thee, also run{H7323} after{H310} Cushi{H3569}. And Joab{H3097} said{H559}, Wherefore wilt thou run{H7323}, my son{H1121}, seeing that thou hast no tidings{H1309} ready{H4672}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Romans 1:28
- And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Ephesians 5:4
- Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Samuel 18:22
2 Samuel 18:22 is a verse set within the broader narrative of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. The context is the aftermath of a battle where Absalom's forces have been defeated, and Absalom himself has been killed, despite David's explicit instructions to deal gently with him.
In this verse, Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok the priest, is eager to run and deliver the news of the battle's outcome to King David. He has already approached Joab, the commander of David's army, once with this request, and now he asks again. Ahimaaz is persistent, despite Joab's initial reluctance to send him. This persistence may stem from a sense of duty, a desire to be the bearer of important news, or possibly from a hope to bring the news to David in a compassionate manner, considering his close relationship with the king.
Joab, however, questions the wisdom of sending Ahimaaz, pointing out that he has no specific news to report, or "tidings ready." Joab seems to be considering the potential impact of the messenger and the message on King David, who is already emotionally vulnerable due to the rebellion and the potential loss of his son Absalom.
The themes present in this verse include loyalty, the urgency of communication in a time of crisis, and the careful consideration of how news—especially sensitive news—should be delivered. It also touches on the themes of obedience and the respect for authority, as Ahimaaz respectfully insists on his request to Joab, who is his superior in the military hierarchy.
In summary, 2 Samuel 18:22 captures a moment of tension and urgency as Ahimaaz seeks to serve King David by bringing him news of the battle. Joab's hesitation reflects a concern for the consequences of delivering such news and highlights the delicate balance between swiftness and sensitivity in communication during critical moments.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H290
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲחִימַעַץ
Transliteration: ʼĂchîymaʻats
Pronunciation: akh-ee-mah'-ats
Description: from אָח and the equivalent of מַעַץ; brother of anger; Achimaats, the name of three Israelites; Ahimaaz. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H6659
There are 50 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָדוֹק
Transliteration: Tsâdôwq
Pronunciation: tsaw-doke'
Description: from צָדַק; just; Tsadok, the name of eight or nine Israelites; Zadok. - Strong's Number: H3254
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָסַף
Transliteration: yâçaph
Pronunciation: yaw-saf'
Description: a primitive root; to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing); add, [idiom] again, [idiom] any more, [idiom] cease, [idiom] come more, [phrase] conceive again, continue, exceed, [idiom] further, [idiom] gather together, get more, give more-over, [idiom] henceforth, increase (more and more), join, [idiom] longer (bring, do, make, much, put), [idiom] (the, much, yet) more (and more), proceed (further), prolong, put, be (strong-) er, [idiom] yet, yield. - Strong's Number: H3097
There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹאָב
Transliteration: Yôwʼâb
Pronunciation: yo-awb'
Description: from יְהֹוָה and אָב; Jehovah-fathered; Joab, the name of three Israelites; Joab. - Strong's Number: H4100
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָה
Transliteration: mâh
Pronunciation: maw
Description: or מַה; or מָ; or מַ; also מֶה; a primitive particle; properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses; how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. - Strong's Number: H7323
There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רוּץ
Transliteration: rûwts
Pronunciation: roots
Description: a primitive root; to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush); break down, divide speedily, footman, guard, bring hastily, (make) run (away, through), post. - Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. - Strong's Number: H3569
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כּוּשִׁי
Transliteration: Kûwshîy
Pronunciation: koo-shee'
Description: patronymically from כּוּשׁ; a Cushite, or descendant of Cush; Cushi, Cushite, Ethiopian(-s). - Strong's Number: H1309
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּשׂוֹרָה
Transliteration: bᵉsôwrâh
Pronunciation: bes-o-raw'
Description: or (shortened) בְּשֹׂרָה; feminine from בָּשַׂר; glad tidings; by implication, reward forgood news; reward for tidings. - Strong's Number: H4672
There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָצָא
Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.