2 Samuel 18 30

2 Samuel 18:30 kjv

And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.

2 Samuel 18:30 nkjv

And the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So he turned aside and stood still.

2 Samuel 18:30 niv

The king said, "Stand aside and wait here." So he stepped aside and stood there.

2 Samuel 18:30 esv

And the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So he turned aside and stood still.

2 Samuel 18:30 nlt

"Wait here," the king told him. So Ahimaaz stepped aside.

2 Samuel 18 verses

2 Samuel 18 30 Meaning

This verse captures King David's precise command to the newly arrived Cushite messenger, instructing him to step aside and await his turn to speak. This brief directive underscores David's heightened anxiety and his control over the process of receiving critical news, especially given the preceding ambiguity from Ahimaaz.

2 Samuel 18 30 Context

This verse occurs at a critical juncture in the narrative of Absalom's rebellion against King David. The battle in the forest of Ephraim has concluded, and David anxiously awaits news at the city gate. Ahimaaz, son of Zadok, arrives first but only gives partial, intentionally vague news about a great commotion. Immediately following Ahimaaz, the Cushite messenger appears, running as fast. David's intense emotional state and desperate desire for definitive news, particularly concerning the fate of his son Absalom, lead him to exert control over the message reception. He orders the Cushite to halt and stand aside, indicating his intention to fully question Ahimaaz or simply to manage the flow of overwhelming information before he can hear the more difficult news expected from the Cushite. The king’s brief command sets the scene for the devastating news that will follow.

2 Samuel 18 30 Word analysis

• The king (הַמֶּלֶךְ - ha-melekh):

  • Meaning: Refers to King David.
  • Significance: Highlights his authority and leadership even in immense personal distress. His word is law, and the messenger's obedience is immediate, illustrating the power structure.

• said (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyō’mer):

  • Meaning: And he said; a common Hebrew verb, אמר (ʾāmar).
  • Significance: Indicates a direct command, not a request or suggestion. David is decisive, seeking to control the environment and the news delivery.

• “Turn aside (סֹב - sov):

  • Meaning: An imperative verb, from סבב (sāḇaḇ), "to turn around, turn aside, go around."
  • Significance: David is directing the messenger to change his path immediately, to veer off his direct course to the king. It implies a shift in position to a designated waiting area rather than approaching the king directly with the news. This act of "turning aside" is both a physical movement and a procedural step in handling vital information.

• and stand here (וַעֲמֹד פֹּה - va-ʿamōd poh)”:

  • Meaning: עמד (ʿāmad) (stand, stand still, remain), פה (poh) (here).
  • Significance: This precise instruction demands the messenger's physical presence at a specific spot. It conveys a sense of stillness and anticipation. David is taking a moment to gather himself or manage the information sequence. The act of standing still waiting for an audience with the king was a common custom signifying readiness to obey.

• Words-group analysis:

  • “Turn aside and stand here”: This full command illustrates David’s immediate establishment of control and protocol. Instead of allowing the Cushite to rush directly with news, David asserts his authority to dictate the process. This pause is crucial; it builds suspense, allows David a moment to prepare for potentially devastating news, and sets the scene for a formal reception of the report. It reflects the meticulous attention to detail required in a moment of crisis and underscores David’s profound anxiety about Absalom.
  • “So he turned aside and stood still”: This short phrase indicates instant and perfect obedience from the Cushite. It demonstrates the profound respect and submission of the messenger to the king's direct command, even amidst the urgency of battle news. The parallel structure with David’s command highlights the swift execution of the directive, further emphasizing David's absolute authority and the disciplined military context.

2 Samuel 18 30 Bonus section

The repeated verbs of "standing" (עמד, amad) and "turning" (סבב, savav) in this short exchange—both in command and execution—create a dramatic pause in the narrative flow. This linguistic technique heightens the suspense. The text moves from the frantic movement of runners (2 Sam 18:19-29) to an abrupt halt, signaling that a pivotal moment is at hand. This brief interlude emphasizes David's final desperate attempt to forestall the news or perhaps steel himself for it, knowing that the Cushite, unlike Ahimaaz, had a reputation for delivering a full, unvarnished account of events, even when bad. It also highlights the critical importance of a messenger's direct obedience to their sovereign, even in highly emotionally charged situations.

2 Samuel 18 30 Commentary

Verse 30, though brief, is intensely significant in 2 Samuel 18. It showcases King David's authoritative presence despite his profound personal turmoil. Faced with uncertain and evasive news from Ahimaaz, David imposes order by directly instructing the Cushite to stand by. This command is not merely about physical positioning but signifies David's desperate need to control the narrative, prepare himself emotionally, and potentially gather his composure before receiving what he likely suspected to be the terrible news concerning Absalom. The messenger's immediate and silent compliance further underscores the unshakeable authority of the king, even a king on the run or waiting for battle reports. It is a poignant moment of pause before the inevitable avalanche of grief. Practically, it demonstrates the weight of responsibility on leaders during a crisis, managing not just events but the reception of information.