2 Samuel 18 32

2 Samuel 18:32 kjv

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

2 Samuel 18:32 nkjv

And the king said to the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" So the Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!"

2 Samuel 18:32 niv

The king asked the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" The Cushite replied, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man."

2 Samuel 18:32 esv

The king said to the Cushite, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" And the Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man."

2 Samuel 18:32 nlt

"What about young Absalom?" the king demanded. "Is he all right?" And the Ethiopian replied, "May all of your enemies, my lord the king, both now and in the future, share the fate of that young man!"

2 Samuel 18 verses

2 Samuel 18 32 Meaning

2 Samuel 18:32 records King David's anxious inquiry about the welfare of his son Absalom after the decisive battle against the rebellion. Despite Absalom's treachery, David's primary concern remains his son's safety, evidenced by the repeated phrase "Is the young man Absalom safe?" The response from Ahimaaz, a trusted runner, is carefully evasive, acknowledging a significant commotion or tumult without divulging the specific and devastating truth of Absalom's death. This reflects Ahimaaz's loyalty and discretion, perhaps seeking to soften the blow or avoid being the bearer of such terrible news.

2 Samuel 18 32 Context

Chapter 18 of 2 Samuel describes the climactic battle in the civil war ignited by Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David. Despite Absalom leading a vast army against him, David explicitly commanded his generals—Joab, Abishai, and Ittai—to deal gently with "the young man Absalom" for his sake (v. 5). The battle took place in the forest of Ephraim, resulting in a decisive victory for David's forces. Absalom himself, fleeing on his mule, became entangled by his hair in an oak tree and was found suspended there. Contrary to David's command, Joab and his armor-bearers killed Absalom. Messengers were then dispatched to inform King David of the victory. Ahimaaz, son of Zadok the priest, eagerly sought to be the bearer of news but was initially held back by Joab, who knew the devastating full truth and assigned a Cushite to carry the specific news of Absalom's death. This verse immediately follows the Cushite's ambiguous arrival and David's desperate waiting. David's question to Ahimaaz shows his consuming preoccupation with Absalom, superseding concern for the battle's outcome.

2 Samuel 18 32 Word analysis

• And the king: Refers to David. His authority is acknowledged, but here his paternal anxiety overrides his royal composure.
• said, (vayyo'mer, Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר): Standard verb for speaking. Emphasizes David's initiating the question, indicating his fervent desire for information.
• ‘Is the young man Absalom safe?’:
  • Is the young man (ha-na'ar, Hebrew: הַנַּ֣עַר): "The boy" or "the young man." David repeatedly uses this tender, paternal term for Absalom, despite his son's adult age and status as a rebel leader. This choice of word underlines David's enduring love and care for him, distinct from the severity of Absalom's rebellion. It reveals David's heart over his role as commander-in-chief.
  • Absalom (Avshalom, Hebrew: אַבְשָׁל֣וֹם): His name means "my father is peace" or "father of peace." The irony is striking, as Absalom brought anything but peace to his father and the kingdom. His name is a constant reminder of the shattered familial and national peace.
  • safe? (hash-shalom, Hebrew: הַשָּׁלֹ֥ם): From the root shalom. More than mere "safety" or "alive," shalom encompasses a comprehensive state of well-being, wholeness, peace, prosperity, and health. David's profound longing is for Absalom to be restored to peace and health, implicitly to him and the kingdom.
• And Ahimaaz: Son of Zadok the priest. He was a trusted, loyal, and swift messenger, known from earlier chapters (2 Sam 15:27, 36) where he conveyed messages crucial to David's escape. His presence implies David would expect reliable information from him.
• answered, (vayya'an, Hebrew: וַיַּ֗עַן): Standard verb for replying.
• ‘When Joab sent: Ahimaaz begins by setting the context, establishing the authority by which he (and the other runner) came, linking it to the general, Joab.
• the king's servant and me your servant,:
  • Ahimaaz implicitly distinguishes himself from the initial messenger (the Cushite), who was indeed "the king's servant" (Joab's explicit first choice).
  • He also humble himself and show submission with "me your servant" in front of the King, this highlights his deference to King David and acknowledges his subordinate role. This form of address is typical of a respectful inferior to a superior in ancient Israelite culture.
• I saw a great commotion,: (ha-hamon ha-gadol, Hebrew: הֶהָמ֨וֹן הַגָּד֜וֹל): "The great tumult," "the great noise/multitude," or "the great uproar." Ahimaaz provides a vague, but powerfully ominous, description. It implies significant, chaotic activity from the battlefield but carefully avoids specifying the exact event or outcome. This indicates that Ahimaaz is aware of the situation and trying to soften the blow.
• but I do not know what it was.’: (w'lo' yada'ti mah hu', Hebrew: וְלֹ֤א יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙ מַה־הֽוּא): Ahimaaz’s crucial declaration. This is a partial truth, a deliberate omission designed to avoid directly delivering the devastating news of Absalom’s death. While he might not have seen Absalom killed, his understanding of Joab’s prior words and the circumstances strongly suggest he knew the grave implication of the commotion concerning Absalom's fate. He uses discretion, providing enough information to indicate something momentous happened, but withholding the agonizing detail, possibly out of compassion or self-preservation, remembering past reactions to bringers of bad news.

2 Samuel 18 32 Bonus section

The narrative suspense in 2 Samuel 18 is masterfully built through the arrival of the two messengers. Ahimaaz's eagerness to deliver news of the victory, despite Joab's attempts to hold him back, highlights his zeal but also contrasts with Joab's pragmatic assessment of David's emotional vulnerability. Joab clearly knew David's heart for Absalom was not merely a military concern but a paternal one. Ahimaaz’s chosen wording (“great commotion”) stands in stark contrast to the explicit message that the Cushite would eventually deliver regarding Absalom’s death. This strategic ambiguity delays the moment of crushing grief for David, even if only briefly. The irony of Absalom's name, "My Father is Peace," further accentuates the tragic irony of his life which brought only conflict and pain to his father.

2 Samuel 18 32 Commentary

2 Samuel 18:32 reveals the raw emotion and deep personal tragedy within David's reign, a poignant counterpoint to the preceding military triumph. David, the victorious king, is reduced to an anguished father, consumed by the welfare of his rebellious son. His repeated use of "young man" (and the Hebrew term shalom) encapsulates his enduring paternal love, a bond that transcended Absalom's treason. It underscores that even victory can bring profound sorrow, particularly when family is at stake.

Ahimaaz's response is a masterpiece of loyal discretion. Knowing David's heart and likely foreseeing his reaction, he carefully skirts the full truth. His statement of "a great commotion" but professing ignorance of its specific nature functions as a gentle, though still ominous, preparation for the king. This act is not deception but rather a compassionate buffering of devastating news, characteristic of wisdom in the presence of fragile authority. The interplay between David's unyielding parental affection and Ahimaaz's sensitive diplomacy illuminates the complexities of human relationships, especially when duty, love, and difficult truths collide.

This scenario often reflects how a message of hope or despair can be delivered, emphasizing the delicate balance between blunt honesty and compassionate wisdom, particularly to those in vulnerable positions.