2 Samuel 18 25

2 Samuel 18:25 kjv

And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.

2 Samuel 18:25 nkjv

Then the watchman cried out and told the king. And the king said, "If he is alone, there is news in his mouth." And he came rapidly and drew near.

2 Samuel 18:25 niv

The watchman called out to the king and reported it. The king said, "If he is alone, he must have good news." And the runner came closer and closer.

2 Samuel 18:25 esv

The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, "If he is alone, there is news in his mouth." And he drew nearer and nearer.

2 Samuel 18:25 nlt

He shouted the news down to David, and the king replied, "If he is alone, he has news." As the messenger came closer,

2 Samuel 18 verses

2 Samuel 18 25 Meaning

2 Samuel 18:25 states that King David, upon observing the singular figure of a runner approaching the city, expressed his anticipation that the messenger, being alone and unhurried, must be bringing good tidings. This statement reveals David's immediate interpretation of the messenger's solitary approach and serves as a poignant expression of his desperate hope amidst the uncertainty of the battle against Absalom.

2 Samuel 18 25 Context

2 Samuel 18 details the climactic battle between David's forces and Absalom's rebels. David, despite his army's victory, remained consumed by paternal anxiety for Absalom, having commanded his generals to deal gently with the young man. The scene unfolds at the city gate where David anxiously awaits news from the battlefield. This specific verse captures David's hopeful observation of the first messenger approaching alone, before the arrival of the more concerning "Cushite" messenger. It reflects David's deep desire for Absalom's safety, a hope he desperately clings to even amidst the likely success of his army against the rebellion. The general context is a father's profound personal distress overlaid on a king's political victory, emphasizing the tragic consequences of Absalom's rebellion.

2 Samuel 18 25 Word analysis

• And (וַיֹּאמֶר - wa-yo-mer): This Hebrew conjunction frequently begins narrative clauses, signaling a continuation or sequence of events. Here, it introduces the king's spoken response immediately following the watchman's observation of the messenger, showing an unbroken chain of anticipation.
• the king (הַמֶּלֶךְ - ha-melech): Refers to King David. The definite article "the" highlights his unique position of authority and distress. Despite his kingly power, his humanity and paternal concern are emphasized.
• said (wa-yo-mer): Indicates spoken words, directly conveying David's internal state and expectations. It's a standard verb for speech in Hebrew narrative, focusing on the content of the utterance.
• If he be alone, (אִם־לְבַדּוֹ - im-l'vaddo): "If" (אִם - im) introduces a condition, signifying a logical deduction David is making based on the messenger's observed solitude. "Alone" (לְבַדּוֹ - l'vaddo) suggests singular presence, distinguishing this runner from potentially multiple messengers who might bring a mixed or complex report, often associated with defeat.
• there is tidings in his mouth. (בְּשׂוֹרָה בְּפִיו - b'sorah b'fiv): "Tidings" (בְּשׂוֹרָה - b'sorah) means good news, gospel, or glad tidings. It’s an optimistic term for a message, particularly good news, which is its specific meaning in this context as David implies. The phrase "in his mouth" (בְּפִיו - b'fiv) means "spoken by him," highlighting the immediate and direct communication of the message. This expresses David's assumption that an unpressured, singular messenger signifies positive outcomes, not the chaotic panic associated with a routed army where multiple, disparate messengers might flee together. It implies a degree of order or control on the part of the sender, hence the "good news."

Words-group analysis

• And the king said: This phrase establishes David's direct voice and immediate reaction to the observation, underlining his profound personal investment in the incoming news. It sets the stage for a moment of revelation concerning his inner thoughts.
• If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth: This whole phrase encapsulates David's reasoning. His premise (messenger alone) leads to his conclusion (good news). It reflects a common ancient understanding that solitary messengers usually carried specific, often positive or at least composed, dispatches, whereas panicked, bad news often involved scattered survivors arriving en masse. This anticipation highlights David's desperate hope, interpreting what he sees through the lens of what he wishes to be true.

2 Samuel 18 25 Bonus section

The term b'sorah (בשׂרה) carries significant weight throughout biblical literature, especially when referring to good news, often of triumph or divine activity. Its usage here by David in expectation rather than actual receipt underscores his profound, almost desperate, hope for Absalom's well-being. This keen observation and specific declaration from David indicate his deep understanding of military intelligence and communication protocols of his era. It also draws a subtle parallel to divine messengers. In subsequent theological contexts, the word b'sorah eventually translates to the concept of the "Gospel" (euangelion in Greek), meaning "good news" par excellence—the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Thus, while David's immediate context is an earthly battle, the linguistic echo resonates into the much greater spiritual good news.

2 Samuel 18 25 Commentary

2 Samuel 18:25 encapsulates David's paternal hope and anxiety at a crucial moment. The king, typically portrayed as a valiant warrior, is here revealed as a vulnerable father desperately clinging to the possibility of a positive outcome concerning Absalom. His deduction—that a solitary runner signifies good tidings—speaks to a common ancient military custom where good news, being more ordered and specific, was often conveyed by a single, carefully dispatched messenger, unlike the disarray of a defeat that might send many fleeing. David's choice of the word b'sorah (good tidings) reflects his fervent prayer and desperate yearning for the safety of his son, overriding even the political triumph he expected. This verse, therefore, highlights the human element of kingship and the poignant hope of a father, foreshadowing the immense grief that will soon overwhelm him despite his military victory. It is a moment of calm anticipation before the storm of tragic reality.