The Second Book Of Samuel. Day 64, Messengers Run To Tell David That Absalom Is Dead

In Thursday's session we studied the death of Absalom who got caught by his long hair in an oak tree as his mule ran under one of the boughs. Joab, David's nephew and top army general, stabbed Absalom in the heart with three javelins at once and then allowed his ten armor bearers to strike him with their weapons until he was dead. David had given strict instructions to all the men that he didn't want Absalom killed if they encountered him. Joab felt it was in the best interests of David and in the best interests of the nation to take Absalom completely out of the picture. He knew David didn't see it this way and would never see it this way, so he took matters into his own hands. He was right to believe Absalom and his supporters would continue to be a threat to king and country if Absalom were allowed to live; he was wrong to disobey the orders of the king. 

Ahimaaz, who helped bring a message to David in Chapter 17 that allowed him and his people to get to safety across the Jordan, wants to be the one who gives David the news about Absalom. "Now Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, 'Let me run and take the news to the king that the Lord has vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.'" (2 Samuel 18:19) Ahimaaz has a vested interest in this situation, having earlier risked his life to help David. He's happy that the threat no longer exists. To him it is good news that David's enemy is dead. But he's failed to take into account that David's enemy was David's own son. Joab wants to spare Ahimaaz from always being remembered by David as the man who brought him news that broke his heart. "'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) He says, "On some other occasion you can bring tidings to David, but not on this occasion. He will not be happy to hear anything you have to say about Absalom's demise." 

Joab tells someone else to deliver the news to David. "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) Many scholars believe the Cushite is one of Joab's servants or slaves. It was common for army officers in those times to travel with several servants or slaves. Joab thinks it's best if David is given the bad news by someone he doesn't really know---someone with whom he is unlikely to have any further interactions. Ahimaaz doesn't agree with Joab and continues to insist that he be allowed to take the news to David. Joab gives in. "Ahimaaz said again to Joab, 'Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite.' But Joab replied, 'My son, why do you want to go? You don't have any news that will bring you a reward.' He said, 'Come what may, I want to run.' So Joab said, 'Run!' Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite." (2 Samuel 18:22-23) 

I don't know why Ahimaaz is so insistent on running to David with this news. He doesn't appear to expect or want a reward; Joab made it clear to him that there won't be one. Maybe he doesn't believe David won't be relieved to hear he can go home and resume his reign. Perhaps he just wants to be there to see the relief on David's face. Or maybe he's the type of person who likes being on the scene when big things are happening. Have you ever known someone who just always seems to want to be in the middle of whatever is going on, whether what's going on is good or bad? Another theory, proposed by some scholars, is that Ahimaaz is an extra fast runner and is prideful about that and wants to show off. I can't say what his motivation is but when he arrives in Mahanaim ahead of the Cushite he will find himself unable to come right out and clearly state that Absalom is dead. He will allow the Cushite to give the news after all. This may be because David's first question upon his arrival is, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" David will not ask how the battle went. He won't ask whether his supporters have incurred casualties. His main concern, above all else, will be whether Absalom is safe. When Ahimaaz sees the stark fear on David's face and hears the worry in his voice, I think he's so touched in his heart that he can't find the words to say what he came to say. 

David has been highly criticized over the centuries by scores of scholars, pastors, priests, and laymen for being more worried about Absalom than about anything or anyone else. They are of the same opinion as Joab, who will say to David in Chapter 20, "I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead." Although Joab and all the others who criticize David have a valid point, I'm of the opinion that it's impossible for David to set aside his love for his son and be glad that the threat to his life and the threat to his rule is gone. I think it's natural that, as a parent, he can't feel anything but grief when he hears that the war is effectively over, his army is intact, his wives and his other children will be safe, and he can go back to the palace and get on with the business of running the nation. I'm not a parent but I don't have any trouble understanding why David feels like the bad news outweighs the good news. He's too heartbroken to do anything but mourn at first. That's what we'll find him doing as we move on into the second half of Chapter 18 tomorrow as the Cushite blurts out the news Ahimaaz has trouble articulating. David will say something that will resonate with any loving parent: "My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you!"