2 Samuel 18 21

2 Samuel 18:21 kjv

Then said Joab to Cushy, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushy bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.

2 Samuel 18:21 nkjv

Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." So the Cushite bowed himself to Joab and ran.

2 Samuel 18:21 niv

Then Joab said to a Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." The Cushite bowed down before Joab and ran off.

2 Samuel 18:21 esv

Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran.

2 Samuel 18:21 nlt

Then Joab said to a man from Ethiopia, "Go tell the king what you have seen." The man bowed and ran off.

2 Samuel 18 verses

2 Samuel 18 21 Meaning

2 Samuel 18:21 records Joab's command to a Cushite man (Kushi) to deliver news of the battle's outcome, specifically Absalom's defeat and death, to King David. It also details Kushi's immediate obedience, demonstrating his deference to Joab's authority and his swift action in carrying out the command. This moment marks a critical turning point, signifying the end of Absalom's rebellion and setting the stage for David's intense grief.

2 Samuel 18 21 Context

This verse is situated within 2 Samuel chapter 18, which describes the decisive battle in the Forest of Ephraim between David's forces, led by Joab, and Absalom's rebel army. Joab, contrary to King David's explicit command to spare Absalom's life (2 Sam 18:5), has killed Absalom, recognizing that his death was necessary to end the rebellion and prevent further bloodshed and instability for the kingdom. With Absalom dead, the immediate task is to inform King David, who anxiously awaits news at the city gate of Mahanaim. Joab's decision to send the Cushite ahead of Ahimaaz, who also wanted to run, highlights his strategic cunning and understanding of how David would react to the grim news concerning his son.

2 Samuel 18 21 Word analysis

• Then said Joab: The declaration of Joab, commander of David's army. Joab (יֹואָב, Yo'av) is known for his ruthless pragmatism and decisive action, often prioritizing military victory and the kingdom's stability over David's personal sentiments. His character is central to understanding the complexities of this command.
• to Cushi, (Kushi): This refers to "the Cushite" or "the Ethiopian," not necessarily a personal name but likely a descriptive title for a man from Cush (modern-day Ethiopia/Nubia). As a foreign individual, he might have been perceived as a more neutral messenger for sensitive news, or simply someone who would obey without emotional attachment, unlike the eager Ahimaaz. His obedience to Joab’s command underscores his servant status and lack of personal vested interest in the dynamics of David's court, making him an ideal deliverer of a difficult message.
• Go tell: The imperative verbs (לֵךְ הַגֵּד, lekh hagged) emphasize a direct command, requiring immediate compliance. This conveys the urgency of delivering the news from the battlefield to the king, especially after such a pivotal and potentially painful event like Absalom's death.
• the king: Referring to David. The news is for the ultimate authority figure, who holds power and the kingdom's fate in his hands, but also a grieving father.
• what thou hast seen. (אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתָה, asher ra'itah): This is a crucial phrase. Joab does not explicitly tell Kushi to announce Absalom's death, but to report "what he has seen." While Absalom's death was certainly the most significant event of the battle, Kushi's account to David in 2 Sam 18:31-32 is noticeably vague about Absalom, initially focusing on God's deliverance before indirectly alluding to the enemies of the king perishing. This suggests Joab's careful management of the news or Kushi's self-censorship given the severity of the news regarding the king's son.
• And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, (וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ, vayyishtahu): This action signifies deep respect, submission, and acceptance of the command. It's a formal gesture of deference, acknowledging Joab's authority and Kushi's readiness to execute the instruction without question.
• and ran. (וַיָּרָץ, vayyarats): Indicates immediate, rapid action and urgency. Kushi's swift departure demonstrates his diligence and commitment to his assigned task, paralleling the swiftness expected from royal messengers, especially with vital information concerning war and peace.

• "Go tell the king what thou hast seen.": This instruction from Joab is tactical. He tasks Cushi with reporting the full picture of the battle outcome, not just the details of Absalom's demise, thereby placing the onus on Kushi to interpret and deliver the sensitive aspects. This may also serve as a way for Joab to distance himself slightly from being the direct bearer of Absalom's death to David.
• "Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.": This phrase highlights the military discipline and hierarchical structure. Cushi’s immediate and reverent obedience underscores the gravity of Joab’s command and the critical nature of the news. The action of running conveys urgency and importance, setting the scene for David’s anxious wait.

2 Samuel 18 21 Bonus section

• The identity of "the Cushite" (Kushi) remains somewhat ambiguous. While it can imply a specific individual, it more strongly suggests a foreign-born servant from Cush (Ethiopia/Nubia), perhaps acquired during David's military campaigns. The choice of a foreign messenger might have been deliberate; less tied to the intricacies of Israelite family politics, such a messenger might be seen as more objective or less susceptible to tribal favoritism, thus being a 'safer' vehicle for sensitive information regarding the king's deceased son.
• The dynamic between Joab and David throughout 2 Samuel is often characterized by Joab making hard decisions for the good of the kingdom, even when these decisions contradict David's personal desires. Absalom's death is a prime example. Joab understands that Absalom, even captured, would remain a threat and a rallying point for future rebellion, while David's paternal love clouds his judgment. Joab's actions here, including managing the delivery of the news, reflect his pragmatic loyalty to the throne rather than just the man.
• The stark contrast between Joab's grim reality ("no reward") for Kushi and David's deep, emotional response to the news further emphasizes the differing burdens and perspectives of the warrior commander and the grieving father-king.

2 Samuel 18 21 Commentary

2 Samuel 18:21 captures a pivotal moment of transition from conflict to resolution, mediated through the practical actions of Joab and his chosen messenger, Cushi. Joab, ever the shrewd commander, sends Cushi—a less personal and thus safer bearer of the news—to David. His instruction "what thou hast seen" allows Cushi some discretion in presenting the devastating news of Absalom's death, indirectly shielding Joab from David's immediate wrath for having slain his son against direct orders. Kushi's immediate bowing and running illustrate faithful obedience and the critical urgency of reporting battlefield outcomes to the waiting monarch. This scene underscores the grim realities of leadership, the cost of rebellion, and the pain of paternal love intersecting with the necessities of kingship.