2 Samuel 18:32

KJV

And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do [thee] hurt, be as [that] young man [is].

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} said {H559} unto Cushi {H3569}, Is the young man {H5288} Absalom {H53} safe {H7965}? And Cushi {H3569} answered {H559}, The enemies {H341} of my lord {H113} the king {H4428}, and all that rise {H6965} against thee to do thee hurt {H7451}, be as that young man {H5288} is.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king asked the Ethiopian, "Is everything all right with young Avshalom?"The Ethiopian answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rebel against you in order to harm you be as that young man is."

Berean Standard Bible

The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And the Cushite replied, “May what has become of the young man happen to the enemies of my lord the king and to all who rise up against you to harm you.”

American Standard Version

And the king said unto the Cushite, Is it well with the young man Absalom? And the Cushite answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise up against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Samuel 18:32 captures the agonizing moment when King David receives the veiled news of his rebellious son Absalom's death. David's singular, desperate inquiry, "Is the young man Absalom safe?", reveals a father's profound, enduring love despite deep betrayal. Cushi's artful, euphemistic reply confirms Absalom's demise by wishing the same fate upon all of David's enemies, thereby sparing the king the direct, crushing blow of the words, yet unmistakably conveying the tragic outcome of the civil war and the personal cost of Absalom's ambition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David, as detailed from [2 Samuel 15](/2_samuel/15 "2 Samuel 15 - Absalom's Rebellion Begins") through [2 Samuel 18](/2_samuel/18 "2 Samuel 18 - The Battle and Absalom's Death"). Following the decisive battle in the wood of Ephraim, where Absalom's forces were routed, David anxiously awaited news of the outcome at the city gate. Two messengers were dispatched: Ahimaaz, son of Zadok, and later Cushi. Ahimaaz arrived first but, out of respect or fear of delivering such devastating news, only reported the general victory, avoiding the specific fate of Absalom. David's persistent focus on his son's safety, even amidst military triumph, sets the stage for Cushi's arrival and the delicate delivery of the grim truth in verse 32, immediately preceding David's heart-wrenching lament in [2 Samuel 18:33](/2_samuel/18-33 "2 Samuel 18:33 - David's Lament for Absalom").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative unfolds during the tumultuous period of the united monarchy in Israel, specifically during David's reign, a time marked by both divine blessing and significant internal strife within his own family. Absalom's rebellion was a full-scale civil war, a direct challenge to David's divinely appointed kingship. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the death of a king's son, especially in rebellion, was a matter of immense political and personal consequence. Messengers delivering news, particularly bad news to a king, often faced personal risk, necessitating careful, diplomatic communication. Cushi's cautious approach reflects the cultural imperative to show respect and sensitivity when addressing royalty, particularly when conveying a message of such profound sorrow that directly impacts the monarch's personal life and dynastic stability.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent in the book of Samuel. Firstly, it highlights the **consequences of sin and rebellion**, demonstrating how Absalom's pride and ambition, detailed in [2 Samuel 15:1-12](/2_samuel/15-12 "2 Samuel 15:1-12 - Absalom's Usurpation"), ultimately led to his tragic demise, bringing immense sorrow to his father and destabilizing the nation. Secondly, it underscores the **profound and often unconditional nature of parental love**, as David's immediate and heartfelt concern is for his son's "shalom" (peace/welfare), transcending Absalom's grievous betrayal and the political victory. This echoes earlier instances of David's compassion, even for his enemies. Thirdly, the scene illustrates the **complexity of leadership and governance**, as David, the victorious king, is simultaneously a grieving father, grappling with the personal toll of his public responsibilities and the fractured state of his own household, a theme explored throughout David's reign, from his anointing in [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing") to the challenges of his later years.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Safe (Hebrew, _shalom'_):** David's question, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" uses the Hebrew word `שָׁלוֹם` (_shalom_), which is far richer than merely "safe." It encompasses concepts of peace, welfare, completeness, health, and prosperity. David is not just asking if Absalom is alive, but if he is well, whole, and at peace. This deep concern for his son's overall well-being, despite Absalom's violent rebellion, underscores the depth of David's paternal affection and his longing for reconciliation, even in the midst of conflict.
* **Be as that young man is (Hebrew, _yihyu ka'asher hanna'ar hahu'_):** Cushi's response, `יִהְיוּ כָּאֲשֶׁר הַנַּעַר הַהוּא` (_yihyu ka'asher hanna'ar hahu_), is a masterclass in euphemistic communication. Literally meaning "may they be as that young man is," it avoids the direct declaration of death. The verb `יִהְיוּ` (_yihyu_) is a jussive, expressing a wish or a prayer, effectively saying, "May all your enemies fare as he has fared." This indirect phrasing allows Cushi to convey the grim reality without uttering the words that would instantly crush the king, confirming Absalom's demise by associating him with the fate of the king's enemies.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king said unto Cushi,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker and the recipient, setting the immediate scene. David, the king, is in a position of authority and desperate anticipation, while Cushi is the messenger bearing crucial news.
* **"Is the young man Absalom safe?"**: This is David's singular, poignant question. His focus is entirely on his son, Absalom, whom he refers to as "the young man," highlighting his paternal affection and perhaps a lingering hope for his son's well-being, despite the immense betrayal and the civil war Absalom instigated. The use of "safe" (_shalom_) indicates David's deep concern for Absalom's overall welfare, not just his physical state.
* **"And Cushi answered,"**: This clause transitions to Cushi's response, signaling the delivery of the awaited news. The brevity here heightens the tension, as the reader anticipates how Cushi will convey the tragic information.
* **"The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do [thee] hurt, be as [that] young man [is]."**: This is Cushi's carefully crafted, euphemistic reply. He does not directly state that Absalom is dead. Instead, he expresses a wish that all of David's enemies and those who seek to harm him would meet the same fate as Absalom. By implicitly equating Absalom with the king's enemies and wishing their fate upon him, Cushi unmistakably communicates Absalom's death while softening the blow through indirect language and a seemingly pious wish.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 2 Samuel 18:32 is **Euphemism**. Cushi's response, "The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do [thee] hurt, be as [that] young man [is]," is a classic example. Instead of directly stating "Absalom is dead," Cushi uses an indirect, less offensive, or less harsh expression to convey the grim reality. This demonstrates his wisdom and sensitivity to David's emotional state and the cultural etiquette of delivering bad news to a king. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony** present. David, the victorious king, is not celebrating his military triumph but is consumed by concern for his rebellious son. The son who rose against him as an enemy ultimately meets the fate of an enemy, a tragic irony that underscores the devastating personal cost of the rebellion. The verse also contains a subtle form of **Foreshadowing**, as the fate wished upon David's enemies by Cushi becomes the very reality for Absalom, who had indeed become the king's enemy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Samuel 18:32 profoundly illustrates the tragic consequences of sin and rebellion, not only for the individual but also for those who love them. Absalom's pride and ambition led him to usurp his father's throne, resulting in civil war and ultimately his own death. This narrative serves as a stark reminder that choices have consequences, and rebellion against established authority, whether human or divine, often leads to destruction and immense sorrow. David's enduring love for his son, even in the face of betrayal, highlights a deeper theological truth about the nature of love and forgiveness, even as justice must run its course. The scene also speaks to the painful reality of broken relationships and the deep grief that accompanies loss, especially when brought about by internal conflict and sin.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin Is Death")
* [Luke 15:11-32](/luke/15-11 "Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The poignant exchange in 2 Samuel 18:32 offers timeless lessons for our lives today. Cushi's sensitive delivery of painful news reminds us of the importance of **compassion and wisdom in communication**, especially when dealing with difficult truths. There are moments when directness must be tempered with empathy, considering the emotional state of the recipient. David's overwhelming grief for Absalom, despite his son's profound betrayal, speaks to the enduring, often unconditional, nature of parental love and the deep pain of fractured family relationships. It prompts us to reflect on the value of reconciliation, forgiveness, and the immense sorrow that can arise from pride and disobedience within families and communities. Ultimately, the verse serves as a sober reminder that our choices carry significant weight, and rebellion against God's order, whether in our personal lives or against legitimate authority, can lead to devastating consequences, even for those we love most.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's concern for Absalom, despite his rebellion, challenge your understanding of love and forgiveness?**
* **In what situations have you found it difficult to deliver or receive painful news, and what can you learn from Cushi's approach?**
* **What are the "Absaloms" in your own life – areas of pride or rebellion that threaten to bring sorrow or destruction?**
* **How can we cultivate greater empathy and wisdom in our communication, especially when addressing sensitive topics?**

### FAQ
**Why was David so concerned for Absalom, given his rebellion?**

Answer: David's concern for Absalom, expressed in his repeated question, "Is the young man Absalom safe?", stems from a profound paternal love that transcended Absalom's grievous rebellion and political betrayal. Despite Absalom's attempts to usurp his throne and even kill him, David consistently showed deep affection for his son. This is evident not only here but also in his earlier command to Joab to deal gently with Absalom ([2 Samuel 18:5](/2_samuel/18-5 "2 Samuel 18:5 - David's Command Regarding Absalom")). For David, Absalom was first and foremost his son, and the bond of kinship, even when broken by sin, held immense weight. His grief was not just for the loss of a son, but perhaps also for the tragic waste of life and the painful consequences of his own family's dysfunction, which had roots in his own past sins (e.g., the Bathsheba affair and its prophetic consequences in [2 Samuel 12:10-11](/2_samuel/12-10 "2 Samuel 12:10-11 - Nathan's Prophecy to David")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Absalom's rebellion and David's profound grief, as encapsulated in 2 Samuel 18:32, finds its ultimate and redemptive fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Absalom, the rebellious son, brought death and sorrow through his pride and usurpation, Jesus, the obedient Son, brought life and reconciliation through His humility and submission to the Father's will. David's lament over Absalom, who died as an enemy of the king, foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Unlike Absalom, whose death was a consequence of his own sin, Christ's death was a substitutionary atonement for the sins of humanity, who were God's enemies ([Romans 5:8-10](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-10 - God's Love for Sinners")). David's desire for Absalom's "shalom" (peace) despite his rebellion points to God the Father's ultimate desire for the peace and reconciliation of all humanity, achieved not through the destruction of His enemies, but through the self-sacrificial love of His Son on the cross ([Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). Thus, the sorrow of David points to the greater joy of the Father, who through Christ, offers eternal life and peace to all who were once His rebellious children ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")).

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.