2 Samuel 18:20 kjv
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 18:20 nkjv
And Joab said to him, "You shall not take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day. But today you shall take no news, because the king's son is dead."
2 Samuel 18:20 niv
"You are not the one to take the news today," Joab told him. "You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king's son is dead."
2 Samuel 18:20 esv
And Joab said to him, "You are not to carry news today. You may carry news another day, but today you shall carry no news, because the king's son is dead."
2 Samuel 18:20 nlt
"No," Joab told him, "it wouldn't be good news to the king that his son is dead. You can be my messenger another time, but not today."
2 Samuel 18 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference (Short Note) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Sam 1:1-16 | "Then David said to the young man who brought him the news... Your blood be on your head." | Fate of messenger bringing bad news |
| 2 Sam 4:9-12 | "As the LORD lives... who saved my life... the man who told me 'Saul is dead' I seized and killed." | David's wrath on bearers of ill tidings |
| 1 Sam 4:17-18 | "The messenger answered... Israel has fled... and your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead; and the ark of God is captured." | Eli's death upon hearing grave news |
| Prov 25:25 | "Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a distant land." | Contrasting impact of good vs. bad news |
| Isa 52:7 | "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news..." | Messengers of peace and salvation |
| Nahum 1:15 | "Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news... celebrates a feast." | Prophetic image of joyful tidings |
| 2 Sam 3:27-30 | "When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside... and there he stabbed him..." | Joab's pragmatic, ruthless actions |
| 2 Sam 18:14-15 | "Then Joab said, 'I will not waste time with you.' And he took three javelins..." | Joab kills Absalom, defying David |
| 2 Sam 19:5-8 | "Then Joab came to the king at the house and said, 'You have today put to shame the face of all your servants...'" | Joab confronts David about his grief |
| 2 Sam 20:9-10 | "Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. But Amasa did not observe the sword... Joab stabbed him..." | Joab's calculated killing of rivals |
| 2 Sam 13:37-39 | "And David mourned for his son day after day." | David's profound grief and love for Absalom |
| 2 Sam 18:33 | "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would God I had died instead of you..." | David's heartbroken lament over Absalom's death |
| 2 Sam 19:1-4 | "So the victory that day was turned into mourning for all the people, for the people heard that day, 'The king is grieving for his son.'" | David's excessive grief for Absalom |
| 2 Sam 15:10-12 | "Then Absalom sent secret messengers through all the tribes of Israel..." | Absalom's cunning start to his rebellion |
| 2 Sam 17:14 | "For the LORD had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel..." | Divine hand in frustrating Absalom's plans |
| 2 Sam 17:23 | "When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey... he hanged himself..." | Consequence for a key figure in rebellion |
| 2 Sam 15:27-29 | "Then the king said to Zadok the priest... You and Ahimaaz your son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar... you shall send me word..." | Ahimaaz's trusted role as messenger |
| 2 Sam 17:15-17 | "And Hushai said... go and tell King David... a certain servant girl went and told David." | Ahimaaz's role in conveying crucial messages earlier |
| Prov 15:1 | "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." | Principle of careful communication |
| Eccles 8:17 | "So that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun." | Humans cannot foresee all consequences |
| Ps 34:19 | "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." | David's ongoing suffering and deliverance |
2 Samuel 18 verses
2 Samuel 18 20 Meaning
This verse records Joab, King David's military commander, preventing Ahimaaz, son of Zadok the priest, from being the messenger who would carry the news of Absalom's death to King David. Joab understood the devastating nature of the news—the king's beloved son, despite his rebellion, had died. He therefore decreed that Ahimaaz, who was a valued person and a priest, should not bear such tragic tidings today, but should leave it for another, less prominent person, implying that delivering such news might bring a harsh reception from the grief-stricken king.
2 Samuel 18 20 Context
2 Samuel 18 describes the decisive battle between David's forces and Absalom's rebel army in the forest of Ephraim. David had explicitly commanded his commanders, including Joab, to deal gently with Absalom. However, after Absalom became entangled in a tree, Joab took three javelins and struck him, effectively ending his life. This act directly defied David's instruction. Following Absalom's death, a series of messengers raced to inform King David of the battle's outcome. Ahimaaz, a swift runner and the son of Zadok the priest, was eager to deliver the news, presumably good news of victory. Yet, the victory was deeply overshadowed by Absalom's demise. Joab, aware of David's deep paternal affection and his specific order regarding Absalom, knew the emotional volatility of delivering such a crushing report to the king. Therefore, in 2 Samuel 18:20, Joab intervenes to prevent Ahimaaz from bearing the truly grim tidings, reserving that difficult task for a less sensitive messenger, a Cushite, and thus protecting Ahimaaz from the king's potential wrath and immense grief. This scene underscores Joab's shrewd pragmatism and his keen understanding of David's heart, even as he acted against the king's direct order concerning Absalom.
2 Samuel 18 20 Word analysis
- And Joab said: Identifies the speaker as David's chief general, renowned for his ruthless effectiveness and loyalty to the throne, though often challenging David's emotional reactions.
- to him: Refers to Ahimaaz, son of Zadok the priest, who had previously served as a loyal and swift messenger for David during Absalom's rebellion.
- You shall not be a messenger: The Hebrew term for "messenger" (מְבַשֵּׂר, m'vaser) typically means "one who brings good news." Here, Joab declares Ahimaaz unfit to be this particular type of messenger, as the news is anything but good. This prohibition signifies Joab's protective intent for Ahimaaz, considering the personal risk involved in delivering news of Absalom's death.
- this day: הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה (hayyom hazzeh). Emphasizes the immediate, critical timing. Today, the day of this tragic event, is not the day for Ahimaaz to be the bearer of tidings. Joab understands the raw emotional state David will be in.
- but you shall bear tidings another day: יוֹם אַחֵר (yom 'aḥer), literally "day other." This indicates that Ahimaaz's valuable role as a trusted messenger is not permanently revoked, only for this specific, perilous report. It implies Joab's assessment of Ahimaaz's future usefulness and reputation.
- But today you shall bear no tidings: This reiteration underscores the finality of Joab's decision. It solidifies his authority and confirms the grave nature of the news he is shielding Ahimaaz from.
- because: כִּי (ki). A causal conjunction, providing the explicit, heartbreaking reason for Joab's command.
- the king's son is dead: מֵת בֶּן־הַמֶּלֶךְ (met ben-hammelek). A blunt, shocking statement. Joab directly conveys the reality to Ahimaaz without euphemism. This fact defines the tragic weight of the message that must be conveyed.
- "You shall not be a messenger this day": This phrase highlights Joab's discernment. He understands that while Ahimaaz desires to deliver the victory news, the attached consequence (Absalom's death) turns it into news of immense sorrow for the king. This protects Ahimaaz from becoming the target of the king's grief or potential anger.
- "But today you shall bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead": This segment encapsulates Joab's shrewdness. He provides a direct and unvarnished reason, ensuring Ahimaaz comprehends the depth of the personal tragedy and why he, as a valued member of David's inner circle, should not be associated with bringing such sorrowful news. Joab anticipates David's reaction, prioritizing political stability and Ahimaaz's safety over immediate honesty from a preferred messenger.
2 Samuel 18 20 Bonus section
- The "Cushite" Messenger: While "Cushite" generally refers to someone from Cush (ancient Ethiopia/Nubia), in this context, it may simply designate a foreigner or a servant of unknown origin, making him a fitting, less-consequential bearer of ill tidings in a royal court setting where messengers of bad news could suffer severe consequences (cf. 2 Sam 1:1-16). This adds to Joab's pragmatic decision, choosing someone whose fate David would likely grieve over less than a trusted Israelite like Ahimaaz.
- Joab's Anticipation of Grief: This verse underscores Joab's profound understanding of David's character, particularly his emotional vulnerability when it came to his children. He correctly predicted David's inconsolable lament over Absalom, an aspect which Ahimaaz, eager for a triumphant announcement, may not have fully grasped.
- Symbolism of "Tidings": The same Hebrew root for "messenger" (מְבַשֵּׂר) and "tidings" (בְּשׂוֹרָה, besorah) can mean "good news" or simply "news." The irony here is poignant: a term often associated with joy or victory becomes the carrier of utter sorrow. Joab prevents Ahimaaz from converting his zeal for "good news" into being a purveyor of the king's ultimate heartbreak.
2 Samuel 18 20 Commentary
Joab's decision in 2 Samuel 18:20 showcases his practical, sometimes ruthless, genius as a commander who understands political and emotional dynamics. By preventing Ahimaaz, son of Zadok and a favored, swift runner, from reporting Absalom's death, Joab not only spared Ahimaaz from the probable wrath and inconsolable grief of King David but also strategically controlled the flow of a devastating truth. He was keenly aware of David's deep affection for Absalom, despite the rebellion, and knew that the messenger of such news might face extreme emotional fallout, or worse. The choice of a "Cushite"—potentially an outsider or someone less significant—to bear the heavy tidings highlights Joab's willingness to use expendable individuals for dangerous tasks, ensuring the safety of a trusted member like Ahimaaz. This act, coming right after Joab himself struck down Absalom against David's direct command, further illustrates his pragmatic resolve to secure David's throne and the stability of the kingdom, even if it meant personally delivering unpopular news or ensuring someone else bore the brunt of it.