2 Samuel 18:24

KJV

And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.

KJV (with Strong's)

And David {H1732} sat {H3427} between the two {H8147} gates {H8179}: and the watchman {H6822} went up {H3212} to the roof {H1406} over the gate {H8179} unto the wall {H2346}, and lifted up {H5375} his eyes {H5869}, and looked {H7200}, and behold a man {H376} running {H7323} alone.

Complete Jewish Bible

David was sitting between the two gates. A watchman went up to the roof of the gate and out onto the wall, raised his eyes, looked, and saw there a man running by himself.

Berean Standard Bible

Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone.

American Standard Version

Now David was sitting between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man running alone.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 18:24 vividly portrays a moment of profound suspense and anxious anticipation in the life of King David. Having retreated from Jerusalem amidst his son Absalom's rebellion, David positions himself in a strategic and public location "between the two gates" of the city. His posture reflects the deep personal anguish and national uncertainty as a watchman, perched high on the city wall, diligently scans the horizon, his gaze fixed on the distant landscape for the first sign of a messenger bearing news from the decisive battle against Absalom's forces. This scene masterfully sets the stage for the dramatic and tragic revelations that follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of Absalom's rebellion, a pivotal and painful episode in David's reign detailed in [2 Samuel 15-18](/2_samuel/15 "Absalom's Rebellion"). Having fled Jerusalem (cf. [2 Samuel 15:13-17](/2_samuel/15-13 "David Flees Jerusalem")), David's forces, led by Joab, engaged Absalom's army in the decisive Battle of the Wood of Ephraim. David himself remained behind, perhaps to avoid being a target or to prevent demoralization among his troops should he be captured. His primary concern, however, was for his rebellious son, Absalom, whom he had explicitly commanded his generals to "deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom" ([2 Samuel 18:5](/2_samuel/18-5 "David's Command Regarding Absalom")). Verse 24 immediately follows the battle's conclusion, setting the scene for the arrival of the messengers who will bring news of its outcome and, more importantly, Absalom's fate. David's chosen location underscores his desperate need for immediate intelligence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting "between the two gates" refers to the space within a double-gated fortification system, common in ancient Near Eastern cities. This area served as a secure, strategic, and often public space. The city gate itself was not merely an entrance but the bustling hub of urban life: a marketplace, a court of law where elders rendered judgments (cf. [Ruth 4:1-12](/ruth/4-1 "Boaz at the City Gate")), and the primary point for receiving news and conducting public affairs. David's presence here highlights the public nature of the crisis and his role as the king awaiting vital national intelligence. The "watchman" (Hebrew: _ṣōpheh_) was a crucial figure in ancient warfare, positioned on the highest points of the city walls or towers to provide early warning of approaching enemies or messengers. Their vigilance was essential for the city's security and the timely dissemination of information, a role often paralleled with prophetic responsibility (cf. [Ezekiel 33:1-6](/ezekiel/33-1 "The Watchman's Responsibility")).

* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several profound themes. **Anxious Expectation** is paramount, embodied by David's fixed position and the nation's collective suspense. His personal anguish over his rebellious son, despite the threat Absalom posed to his throne and life, underscores the theme of **Parental Grief and Love**, a motif that will culminate in David's lament over Absalom's death ([2 Samuel 18:33](/2_samuel/18-33 "David's Lament Over Absalom")). The watchman's role highlights **Vigilance and Communication**, emphasizing the critical importance of intelligence gathering and the diligent observation required to discern truth amidst uncertainty. Furthermore, the entire narrative arc of Absalom's rebellion, culminating in this moment of waiting, speaks to the **Consequences of Sin and Rebellion**, both personal and national, demonstrating how even within God's chosen lineage, human choices have far-reaching and often tragic repercussions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gates (Hebrew, _sha'ar_):** This term refers to the fortified entrance of a city, which, as discussed in the context, was far more than a mere passageway. It was the civic, judicial, and commercial center. David's choice to sit "between the two gates" (likely an inner and outer gate system) signifies his public posture, his accessibility to news, and his vulnerable yet strategic position at the heart of the city's defense and communication network.
* **Watchman (Hebrew, _ṣōpheh'_):** The _ṣōpheh_ was a sentinel, a lookout whose primary duty was to observe and report. The word emphasizes the act of "looking out" or "surveying." His elevated position on the roof over the gate unto the wall indicates a vantage point designed for maximum visibility, highlighting the critical role of diligent observation and early warning in ancient society. This role often carried prophetic connotations, as seen in the prophets who were called to be watchmen for Israel.
* **Running alone (Hebrew, _badad_):** The phrase "running alone" suggests a singular messenger, unhindered and focused, indicating the urgency and critical nature of the news he carries. It implies speed and directness, distinguishing him from a larger group or a less urgent procession. This singular appearance heightens the suspense, as a single runner often bore news of great import, whether good or ill.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And David sat between the two gates":** This clause establishes David's physical location and posture. His "sitting" conveys a sense of waiting, perhaps weariness, but also a fixed, public position of authority. The "two gates" suggest a secure, defensible, yet open space, where news could be received and disseminated to the populace gathered there. It underscores his anxious, yet regal, anticipation.
* **"and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall":** This describes the watchman's ascent to his post. The "roof over the gate" and "unto the wall" indicate the highest possible vantage point, emphasizing his strategic placement for observation. This action highlights the critical role of vigilance and the ancient methods of intelligence gathering in a time of crisis.
* **"and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone":** This final clause captures the moment of discovery. The watchman's deliberate action of "lifting up his eyes" conveys intense focus and effort in scanning the distant landscape. The phrase "and looked, and behold" signifies a sudden, significant sighting. The "man running alone" is the first visual confirmation of an approaching messenger, immediately signaling urgency and setting the stage for the dramatic news to follow.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Samuel 18:24 is **Suspense**. The verse masterfully builds tension by placing the anxious King David in a public, vulnerable position, while the watchman's diligent scanning of the horizon creates a palpable sense of anticipation. The sudden appearance of a "man running alone" serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing** device, hinting at critical and perhaps tragic news to come, as a lone runner often carried urgent, unconfirmed information. The **Setting** of the city gate, a hub of public life and defense, acts as a dramatic stage for this pivotal moment. Furthermore, the vivid **Imagery** of the watchman's focused gaze and the solitary, rapidly approaching figure effectively draws the reader into the scene, emphasizing the isolation of the messenger and the gravity of his impending message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This scene of anxious waiting at the city gate resonates deeply with the human experience of uncertainty and the divine orchestration of events. David, though king, is subject to the same emotional turmoil as any parent awaiting news of a child. His posture of waiting highlights the biblical theme of reliance on God's timing and sovereignty, even when circumstances are beyond human control. The watchman's diligence, meanwhile, serves as a reminder of the call to spiritual vigilance, to be alert and discerning in an unpredictable world, recognizing that God often works through human means and observation. The impending news, though painful, is part of the unfolding consequences of sin and rebellion, demonstrating that even God's chosen instruments are not exempt from the difficult realities of human choices.

* [Psalm 130:5-6](/psalms/130-5 "Waiting for the Lord")
* [Proverbs 13:17](/proverbs/13-17 "A Faithful Messenger Brings Health")
* [Isaiah 21:6-9](/isaiah/21-6 "The Watchman's Report")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in 2 Samuel 18:24 offers a profound mirror to our own lives, where we often find ourselves in seasons of intense, anxious waiting. Like David, we may sit "between the gates" of uncertainty, anticipating news that could dramatically alter our circumstances—a medical diagnosis, a job outcome, a resolution to a family conflict. In these moments, the passage encourages us to cultivate a posture of patient endurance, trusting in God's sovereign hand even when the outcome is unknown or potentially painful. The watchman's diligent observation reminds us of the importance of spiritual vigilance: being attentive to God's voice, discerning the signs of the times, and preparing our hearts for whatever news may come, whether joyful or sorrowful. It calls us to be present in our waiting, not passively, but with a watchful and prayerful spirit, ready to receive and respond to God's unfolding plan.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when you are in a season of intense waiting or uncertainty, akin to David's posture at the gate?**
* **What "news" are you currently waiting for in your life, and how does your faith inform your posture and actions during that wait?**
* **In what ways can you embody the "watchman's" diligence in your own spiritual life, discerning God's movements and preparing for what is to come?**

### FAQ
**Why was David sitting "between the two gates"?**

David's choice of location was highly strategic and symbolic. Sitting "between the two gates" of the city, likely referring to the space between an inner and outer gate system, provided him with a secure yet public vantage point. This area was the primary hub of urban life in ancient cities—a place for commerce, justice, and the dissemination of news. By positioning himself here, David ensured he would be among the first to receive vital intelligence from the battle, while also being visible to his people, sharing in their collective anxiety and demonstrating his accessibility as king. It was a place of both defense and communication, ideal for awaiting critical messengers.

**What was the significance of a "watchman" in ancient Israel?**

The watchman (_ṣōpheh_) held a crucial role in ancient Israelite society, particularly in times of conflict. Positioned on the highest points of city walls or towers, their primary duty was to maintain vigilance, scanning the horizon for any sign of approaching armies, travelers, or messengers. They served as the city's early warning system, vital for defense and security. Beyond their practical military function, watchmen often carried symbolic and prophetic significance in the Old Testament, representing those who were called to be alert, discern the times, and warn the people of impending judgment or divine action, as seen in the prophetic books like [Ezekiel 33:1-9](/zekiel/33-1 "The Watchman's Responsibility").

**Why was the man "running alone"?**

The detail that the man was "running alone" heightens the sense of urgency and the critical nature of the news he carried. In ancient times, a single, unhindered runner often indicated that the message was of paramount importance, requiring immediate delivery without delay. It could suggest that the news was either so good it needed to be proclaimed swiftly, or so bad that it was too devastating to be carried by a large, jubilant, or even a somber, procession. In this context, it immediately signals to David and the watchman that the outcome of the battle, and Absalom's fate, is about to be revealed with great speed and directness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The scene of David's anxious waiting for news of his rebellious son, observed by a diligent watchman, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader biblical narrative of God's redemptive plan. David's anguish over Absalom, who sought to usurp his throne, foreshadows the ultimate rebellion of humanity against our Heavenly King. Yet, unlike David, who waited for news of a son's death, God the Father, in His infinite love, sent His own Son, Jesus Christ, not to die for His own rebellion, but to die for ours. The "man running alone" bringing news can be seen as a type of messenger, but the ultimate Messenger is Christ Himself, who came to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God ([Mark 1:14-15](/mark/1-14 "Jesus Proclaims the Good News")). He is the true "watchman" who perfectly discerned the times and fulfilled the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience to Death")). The city gate, a place of judgment and public pronouncements, points to Christ as the "gate" or "door" through whom we must enter to find salvation and life ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "Jesus is the Gate")). While David received news of a son's tragic demise, leading to his profound lament ([2 Samuel 18:33](/2_samuel/18-33 "David's Lament")), the news of Christ's death and resurrection brings eternal life and joy to all who believe. Our anxious waiting for a messenger is ultimately fulfilled in the certain hope of Christ's return, when He will come not as a lone runner with uncertain news, but as the triumphant King, bringing ultimate peace and justice ([Revelation 22:20](/revelation/22-20 "Come, Lord Jesus!")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 19:8

Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent.

2 Samuel 18:4

And the king said unto them, What seemeth you best I will do. And the king stood by the gate side, and all the people came out by hundreds and by thousands.

2 Samuel 13:34

But Absalom fled. And the young man that kept the watch lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came much people by the way of the hill side behind him.

1 Samuel 4:13

And when he came, lo, Eli sat upon a seat by the wayside watching: for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city, and told [it], all the city cried out.

Isaiah 21:11

¶ The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?

Isaiah 21:12

The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

Ezekiel 33:2

Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: