2 Samuel 18:26

KJV

And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold [another] man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the watchman {H6822} saw {H7200} another {H312} man {H376} running {H7323}: and the watchman {H6822} called {H7121} unto the porter {H7778}, and said {H559}, Behold another man {H376} running {H7323} alone. And the king {H4428} said {H559}, He also bringeth tidings {H1319}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the watchman saw another man running and called to the gatekeeper, "There's another man running by himself."The king said, "He too must have good news."

Berean Standard Bible

the watchman saw another man running, and he called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone!” “This one also brings good news,” said the king.

American Standard Version

And the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold, another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Samuel 18:26 captures a moment of intense anticipation as King David, stationed at the city gate, awaits news from the decisive battle against his rebellious son, Absalom. The verse describes the watchman's sighting of a second runner approaching, confirming the imminent arrival of critical information that will reveal the outcome of the conflict and the fate of Absalom, further heightening the king's profound anxiety.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of Absalom's rebellion, immediately following the decisive battle in the forest of Ephraim where Absalom's forces were routed (2 Samuel 18:1-8). King David, having been persuaded not to join the battle himself, remains at the city gate of Mahanaim, consumed by anxiety, particularly for the safety of his son, Absalom (2 Samuel 18:4-5). The preceding verses describe the first runner, Ahimaaz, being sighted and identified, and David's hopeful but cautious interpretation of his swift arrival (2 Samuel 18:24-25). Verse 26 continues this tense vigil, introducing a second runner, which complicates the initial assessment and deepens the suspense surrounding the impending news. The narrative skillfully builds dramatic tension through the watchman's observations and David's interpretations, leading directly to the tragic revelation of Absalom's death.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, city gates were not merely points of entry but served as central hubs for legal proceedings, commerce, and public assembly. They were also strategic defensive points, often manned by watchmen who scanned the horizon for approaching armies or messengers. Messengers were the primary means of long-distance communication, their speed and number often indicating the urgency and significance of the news. The practice of sending multiple messengers, as seen here with Ahimaaz and the Cushite, was common for confirming vital reports or delivering different aspects of the same event. David's location at Mahanaim (east of the Jordan River) was a strategic retreat point during Absalom's coup, highlighting the king's vulnerability and the desperate nature of the conflict. The watchman's detailed observations from the city wall underscore the importance of vigilance and the reliance on visual cues for intelligence gathering in a pre-technological age.
* **Key Themes:** The immediate context of 2 Samuel 18:26 highlights several pervasive themes within the book of Samuel. **Consequences of Sin and Rebellion** are paramount, as Absalom's actions lead directly to this bloody confrontation and his ultimate demise, illustrating the destructive nature of ambition and defiance against God-ordained authority, a theme echoed in the tragic end of [Saul's reign](/1_samuel/31 "1 Samuel 31 - The Death of King Saul"). **Parental Grief and Anxiety** are powerfully portrayed through David's agonizing wait for news, especially concerning Absalom, despite his son's betrayal. This deep paternal love resonates throughout the narrative, particularly in David's lament in [2 Samuel 18:33](/2_samuel/18-33 "2 Samuel 18:33 - David's Lament for Absalom"). The **Reliability of Messengers and Information** is also a key theme; the watchman's role and David's discernment regarding the runners emphasize the critical need for accurate and timely communication in times of crisis, a principle also seen in the importance of faithful prophecy in books like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/28 "Jeremiah 28 - Prophetic Conflict").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Watchman (Hebrew, _tsofeh'_):** This term refers to a sentinel or lookout, typically positioned on a high vantage point like a city wall or tower. Their role was crucial for the security of the city, tasked with observing the surrounding landscape for any approaching figures, whether friendly or hostile, and alerting the inhabitants. The repeated mention of the "watchman" underscores his vital role in this narrative, serving as the city's eyes and the primary source of information for the anxious king.
* **Running (Hebrew, _ratz'_):** This word denotes swift movement, often with urgency or purpose. In the context of a messenger, "running" signifies the importance and immediacy of the tidings being carried. The fact that both messengers are "running" indicates that the news is significant and requires rapid delivery, creating a sense of heightened tension and anticipation for David and those waiting at the gate.
* **Tidings (Hebrew, _besorah'_):** While often translated as "good news" (as in the Gospel), the Hebrew word _besorah_ here is used in a neutral sense, simply meaning "news" or "message." David's statement, "He also bringeth tidings," indicates his understanding that this second runner is not merely a fleeing soldier but a bearer of official and crucial information regarding the battle's outcome. The ambiguity of whether the "tidings" will be good or bad contributes to the pervasive suspense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the watchman saw another man running:"** This clause immediately follows the sighting of the first runner, Ahimaaz, intensifying the situation. The watchman, from his elevated position, identifies a second figure approaching with the same urgency as the first, signaling that the news is complex or requires confirmation.
* **"and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold [another] man running alone."** The watchman's communication with the "porter" (gatekeeper) is a procedural detail, indicating the chain of command for relaying vital information from the city wall to the king at the gate. The phrase "running alone" might imply that this runner is not part of a larger fleeing group, suggesting he is a dedicated messenger rather than a survivor of a rout, which would further indicate the official nature of his message.
* **"And the king said, He also bringeth tidings."** David, having already observed the first runner and received the watchman's initial report, now confirms the significance of the second. His statement reveals his acute awareness that this individual, like the first, is a bearer of crucial news from the battlefield. The repetition of "tidings" (Hebrew: _besorah_) reinforces the weight of the impending revelation.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 2 Samuel 18:26 masterfully employs several literary devices to build tension and convey meaning. **Suspense** is paramount, as the entire scene is designed to keep the reader, along with David, on edge, awaiting the revelation of Absalom's fate. The watchman's repeated observations and David's terse comments serve to prolong this agonizing wait. **Foreshadowing** is present in the very act of messengers arriving; their presence signals that the consequences of the rebellion are now concrete and will soon be known, hinting at the tragic news to come. The **Repetition** of key phrases like "watchman," "running," and "another man" emphasizes the watchman's diligent observation and the urgency of the situation, drawing the reader's attention to these critical details. The scene also uses **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader often knows (or suspects) Absalom's fate before David does, making David's hopeful interpretations of the runners' identities even more poignant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The anxious waiting at the gate in 2 Samuel 18:26 serves as a powerful theological metaphor for humanity's posture before divine revelation and the unfolding of God's sovereign plan. Just as David awaited crucial news that would determine the immediate future of his kingdom and family, so too do believers often find themselves in periods of waiting for God's will to be revealed or for the consequences of actions (both righteous and unrighteous) to manifest. This verse underscores that God is at work even in the midst of human conflict and uncertainty, bringing about His purposes through the actions of individuals and the flow of events. The arrival of messengers, bearing news that is both significant and potentially devastating, reminds us that life's "tidings" are often a mixture of joy and sorrow, and that true peace is found not in the absence of struggle, but in trusting the One who orchestrates all things.

* [Proverbs 25:25](/proverbs/25-25 "Proverbs 25:25 - Good News from a Far Country")
* [Isaiah 52:7](/isaiah/52-7 "Isaiah 52:7 - The Feet of Him Who Brings Good News")
* [Romans 10:15](/romans/10-15 "Romans 10:15 - How Shall They Preach Unless They Are Sent?")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene at the gate in 2 Samuel 18:26 offers profound insights into the human condition, particularly our experience of waiting and the impact of news. David's agonizing vigil, marked by hope and dread, mirrors our own moments of uncertainty when we await critical information – whether about health, relationships, or global events. This verse reminds us that life is often a series of "tidings," some joyful, some sorrowful, and that our response to these revelations shapes our character and faith. It calls us to cultivate patience and trust, even when the outcome is unknown or potentially painful. Furthermore, it highlights the enduring truth that actions have consequences, and that even those in positions of power, like David, must grapple with the fallout of choices, both their own and those of their loved ones. In our own lives, we are called to be discerning recipients of information, to weigh its truthfulness, and to respond with wisdom and grace, always remembering that ultimate peace comes from resting in God's sovereignty, regardless of the news that arrives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically react when you are in a period of intense waiting for critical news?**
* **In what ways does this passage highlight the universal human experience of anxiety and hope?**
* **What "tidings" are you currently awaiting in your own life, and how is your faith being tested or strengthened in that waiting?**
* **How can we cultivate a posture of trust in God's sovereignty, even when the news we receive is difficult or unexpected?**

### FAQ
**Why was King David waiting at the gate instead of on the battlefield?**

Answer: King David was persuaded by his commanders not to go out to battle with his troops (2 Samuel 18:3). They argued that his life was worth "ten thousand" of theirs, and that if he were to fall, it would demoralize the army and potentially lead to their complete defeat. Therefore, David remained at the city gate of Mahanaim, a strategic location where he could receive reports from the battle and be safe, while also demonstrating his trust in his commanders and his army. His presence at the gate also allowed him to be the first to receive the crucial news regarding the outcome of the conflict and the fate of his rebellious son, Absalom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tense anticipation surrounding the messengers in 2 Samuel 18:26 finds its ultimate fulfillment in the arrival of Jesus Christ, the supreme Messenger bearing the "good tidings" for all humanity. While David awaited news of a son whose rebellion brought death and sorrow, the world awaited the Son whose coming would bring life and reconciliation. The "tidings" (Hebrew: _besorah_) that the watchman observed being brought to David, though neutral in their immediate context, resonate with the ultimate _euangelion_ (Greek for "good news") of the Gospel. Just as the feet of the messengers were eagerly watched for, so too were the "feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace" (Isaiah 52:7) prophesied to arrive. Jesus is the one who perfectly fulfills this prophecy, not merely bringing news of a battle's end, but proclaiming victory over sin, death, and the grave (Colossians 2:15). His life, death, and resurrection constitute the ultimate "tidings" of salvation, offering true peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), a stark contrast to the tragic outcome of Absalom's rebellion. He is the divine messenger who embodies the message itself, bringing reconciliation between God and humanity (2 Corinthians 5:18-19), and ushering in an eternal kingdom where there will be no more sorrow or crying (Revelation 21:4), unlike the earthly kingdom of David which was plagued by internal strife and grief.

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.