2 Samuel 18:29

KJV

And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and [me] thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what [it was].

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} said {H559}, Is the young man {H5288} Absalom {H53} safe {H7965}? And Ahimaaz {H290} answered {H559}, When Joab {H3097} sent {H7971} the king's {H4428} servant {H5650}, and me thy servant {H5650}, I saw {H7200} a great {H1419} tumult {H1995}, but I knew {H3045} not what it was.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king asked, "Is everything all right with young Avshalom?" Achima'atz answered, "When Yo'av sent the king's servant and me your servant, I saw a big commotion; but I didn't know what it was."

Berean Standard Bible

The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was.”

American Standard Version

And the king said, Is it well with the young man Absalom? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king’s servant, even me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 18:29 captures King David's profound paternal anxiety following the decisive battle against his rebellious son, Absalom. As the first messenger, Ahimaaz, arrives, David's singular concern is for Absalom's safety. Ahimaaz, however, delivers an evasive and vague report of a "great tumult," skillfully withholding the devastating truth of Absalom's death, thereby prolonging David's suspense and preparing the way for the more direct, albeit painful, news to follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of Absalom's rebellion, immediately after the battle in the Wood of Ephraim, where Absalom's forces were utterly routed. King David, awaiting news at the city gate, had explicitly commanded his commanders, including Joab, to "deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom" ([2 Samuel 18:5](/2_samuel/18-5 "David's Command Regarding Absalom")). However, Joab, prioritizing the stability of the kingdom over David's personal affections, defied this order and personally ensured Absalom's death ([2 Samuel 18:14](/2_samuel/18-14 "Joab Kills Absalom")). Ahimaaz, a swift and eager runner, volunteered to bring news to David, but Joab initially sent the Cushite, knowing the gravity of the message about Absalom. Ahimaaz's persistent insistence led Joab to eventually permit him to run, setting up the dramatic tension of who would deliver the news and how. This verse marks the beginning of David's agonizing receipt of the battle's outcome.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the role of a messenger was crucial for conveying vital information, especially in times of war. However, delivering bad news to a king could be perilous, often resulting in the messenger's punishment or death (e.g., the Amalekite in [2 Samuel 1:1-16](/2_samuel/1-1 "The Death of Saul and Jonathan")). This cultural reality explains Ahimaaz's cautious and evasive response. The civil war itself was a profound societal disruption, pitting loyalists against a rebellious son, a situation fraught with emotional and political complexities. The "Wood of Ephraim" likely refers to a forested area east of the Jordan River, known for its difficult terrain, which contributed to the chaos of the battle and Absalom's eventual entanglement.
* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully highlights the theme of **parental love versus national interest**, as David's personal grief for his son overrides his concern for the kingdom's victory. It also underscores the **consequences of rebellion**, demonstrating the tragic end of Absalom's ambition. The interaction between David and Ahimaaz introduces the theme of **the burden of truth** and the **difficulty of delivering unwelcome news**, particularly to a figure of authority. Ahimaaz's evasion also sets up a **dramatic tension**, creating suspense as the reader, already aware of Absalom's fate, watches David's agonizing wait for confirmation, a theme that resonates throughout the latter part of [2 Samuel 18](/2_samuel/18 "The Death of Absalom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Safe (Hebrew, שָׁלוֹם, _shalom_):** David's question, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" uses the Hebrew word _shalom_, which means far more than mere physical safety. It encompasses well-being, peace, wholeness, and prosperity. David is not just asking if Absalom is alive, but if he is well, if peace has been restored to him, reflecting a deep paternal longing for his son's overall welfare despite his rebellion. This word choice underscores the depth of David's love and his desperate hope for reconciliation.
* **Tumult (Hebrew, הָמוֹן, _hamon_):** Ahimaaz's description of a "great tumult" uses _hamon_, a versatile word that can signify a great noise, a confused multitude, a mighty commotion, or even a roar. In this context, it effectively conveys the chaos and violence of the battle, hinting at a significant, disruptive event without specifying its nature. Ahimaaz's use of this vague yet evocative term allows him to accurately describe what he witnessed (the aftermath of a fierce battle) while strategically avoiding the direct, devastating news about Absalom, leaving David in suspense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe?":** This opening clause immediately reveals David's singular and overwhelming preoccupation. Despite the victory of his forces, his first and only question to the arriving messenger concerns his rebellious son. The tenderness implied by "the young man Absalom" highlights David's enduring paternal love, a profound emotional bond that transcends Absalom's treason and the immense personal pain he caused his father. This question sets the emotional tone for the subsequent verses, focusing on David's grief rather than the military triumph.
* **"And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and [me] thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what [it was].":** Ahimaaz's response is a masterpiece of diplomatic evasion. By mentioning "Joab" and identifying himself as "thy servant," he establishes his credibility and loyalty. His claim to have seen a "great tumult" is technically true, as he witnessed the chaos of the battle and its aftermath. However, his assertion "but I knew not what [it was]" is a deliberate falsehood, or at least a severe understatement, designed to avoid being the bearer of the king's greatest sorrow. He likely knew or strongly suspected Absalom's fate, but chose to defer the painful revelation, perhaps out of fear of David's reaction or a desire to spare him the immediate shock.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent **Literary Devices**. **Dramatic Irony** is central, as the reader is fully aware of Absalom's death (from [2 Samuel 18:14](/2_samuel/18-14 "Joab Kills Absalom")), while David remains agonizingly ignorant, creating a palpable tension. Ahimaaz's vague description of a "great tumult" serves as **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the grim outcome without explicitly stating it, thereby building **Suspense**. This deliberate delay in revealing the truth prolongs David's emotional agony and heightens the dramatic impact when the Cushite eventually delivers the news. The interaction also provides powerful **Characterization**: David is portrayed as a deeply emotional and loving father, even to a treacherous son, while Ahimaaz is depicted as a shrewd and cautious messenger, navigating the perilous waters of delivering sensitive information to a powerful ruler.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
David's desperate inquiry about Absalom's safety, despite his son's profound betrayal and the national crisis he instigated, powerfully illustrates the enduring and often irrational nature of parental love. This love, even in the face of rebellion and its devastating consequences, echoes a deeper biblical truth about God's own persistent love for humanity, even in its fallen and rebellious state. The narrative highlights the painful reality that sin and rebellion always bring "tumult" and ultimately lead to death, not just for the individual but for those who love them. It also speaks to the human struggle with truth, especially when it is painful, and the burden of those who must deliver it.

* [Luke 15:20](/luke/15-20 "The Prodigal Son's Father")
* [Psalm 38:1](/psalms/38-1 "David's Lament Over Sin")
* [Proverbs 10:1](/proverbs/10-1 "A Wise Son Makes a Glad Father")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This poignant moment in David's life offers profound insights into the complexities of human relationships, the enduring power of love, and the painful consequences of rebellion. David's singular focus on Absalom's well-being, even after his son's attempt to usurp his throne and take his life, challenges us to consider the depth of our own capacity for love and forgiveness. How do we respond to those who have deeply hurt us or betrayed our trust? Do we seek their ultimate "shalom" even when their actions have caused us immense pain? Ahimaaz's reluctance to deliver the bad news also resonates with our own human tendency to shy away from difficult conversations or to sugarcoat painful truths. The narrative encourages us to cultivate both courage in speaking truth and compassion in receiving it, recognizing the profound impact words can have. Ultimately, this passage reminds us that rebellion, whether against earthly authority or divine will, invariably leads to "tumult" and sorrow, underscoring the importance of obedience and reconciliation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's persistent concern for Absalom challenge our understanding of love, especially towards those who have wronged us?**
* **When have you experienced the difficulty of delivering or receiving unwelcome news, and what did you learn from that experience?**
* **In what ways does this narrative remind us of the painful consequences of rebellion, both for the individual and for those who love them?**

### FAQ

**Why did Ahimaaz not tell David directly about Absalom's death?**

Answer: Ahimaaz's decision not to directly tell David about Absalom's death was likely motivated by a combination of factors. Culturally, messengers in the ancient Near East often faced severe consequences for delivering bad news to a king, as seen with the Amalekite who reported Saul's death ([2 Samuel 1:1-16](/2_samuel/1-16 "The Death of Saul and Jonathan")). Ahimaaz, being a loyal servant and perhaps even fond of David, may have wished to spare the king the immediate shock and grief, or feared David's emotional outburst. He might have also hoped that the Cushite, who was sent first, would bear the brunt of delivering the devastating news, as the Cushite eventually does in [2 Samuel 18:31-32](/2_samuel/18-31 "The Cushite Arrives with News"). His evasive answer was a strategic way to fulfill his duty as a messenger without becoming the direct bearer of such tragic tidings.

**What does "great tumult" imply?**

Answer: Ahimaaz's phrase "a great tumult" (Hebrew: _hamon_) implies a scene of intense chaos, noise, and commotion. In the context of a battle, it would suggest the sounds of fighting, shouts, the clash of weapons, and the movement of a large, confused multitude. While vague, it is an accurate description of the aftermath of a fierce battle. For Ahimaaz, it was a convenient and truthful way to describe the scene without having to explicitly state the specific, painful details of Absalom's death. It hints at the magnitude of the event and the disarray of the battlefield, subtly foreshadowing the grim outcome that David is desperate to confirm.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
David's agonizing question, "Is the young man Absalom safe?", and his profound grief over his rebellious son, offer a poignant shadow of the Father's heart for humanity. Unlike David, who desperately wished to spare his son, God the Father did not spare His own Son, Jesus, but delivered Him up for us all ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - God Did Not Spare His Own Son")). The "great tumult" Ahimaaz witnessed reflects the chaos and death that sin brings into the world, the ultimate consequence of humanity's rebellion against God. Yet, into this very "tumult" of sin and death, Jesus, the perfect Son, willingly entered. He became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the full weight of our rebellion on the cross. His death was not a tragedy to be hidden or evaded, but a redemptive act to be proclaimed, for through it, He conquered death and secured eternal "shalom" – peace and wholeness – for all who believe ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Christ")). Thus, while David mourned a son lost to rebellion, God's plan in Christ ensures that through the sacrifice of His Son, rebellious humanity can be reconciled and brought safely home to the Father ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - Ministry of Reconciliation")).

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 18:22

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?

2 Samuel 18:19

¶ Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.

2 Samuel 18:20

And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.

2 Samuel 20:9

And Joab said to Amasa, [Art] thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.