King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 18:22 Mean?

2 Samuel 18:22 in the King James Version says “Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? howsoever: Heb. be what may ready: or, convenient

2 Samuel 18:22 · KJV


Context

20

And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead. bear tidings this: Heb. be a man of tidings, etc

21

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

22

Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? howsoever: Heb. be what may ready: or, convenient

23

But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.

24

And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?

This verse contributes to the narrative of Absalom's Death, emphasizing tragedy of rebellion. Absalom's death despite David's orders demonstrates the tragic consequences of rebellion against God's anointed. The graphic description of Absalom caught in oak branches suggests divine judgment. David's overwhelming grief ("O my son Absalom") reveals parental love even for rebellious children. Theological themes include the tragedy of rebellion, the reality that sin leads to death, parental love's persistence, and the danger of prioritizing family over kingdom responsibilities.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 18 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding tragedy of rebellion provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of tragedy of rebellion?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּ֨סֶף1 of 27

yet again

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

ע֜וֹד2 of 27
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

אֲחִימַ֤עַץ3 of 27

Ahimaaz

H290

achimaats, the name of three israelites

בְּנִ֔י4 of 27

my son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

צָדוֹק֙5 of 27

of Zadok

H6659

tsadok, the name of eight or nine israelites

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר6 of 27

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל7 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יוֹאָ֗ב8 of 27

And Joab

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

וִ֣יהִי9 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָֽמָּה10 of 27

But howsoever

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

רָץ֙11 of 27

Wherefore wilt thou run

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

נָּ֥א12 of 27
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

גַם13 of 27
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אָ֖נִי14 of 27
H589

i

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י15 of 27

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הַכּוּשִׁ֑י16 of 27

Cushi

H3569

a cushite, or descendant of cush

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר17 of 27

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יוֹאָ֗ב18 of 27

And Joab

H3097

joab, the name of three israelites

לָֽמָּה19 of 27

But howsoever

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

זֶּ֞ה20 of 27
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אַתָּ֥ה21 of 27
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

רָץ֙22 of 27

Wherefore wilt thou run

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

בְּנִ֔י23 of 27

my son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּלְכָ֖ה24 of 27
H0
אֵין25 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

בְּשׂוֹרָ֥ה26 of 27

seeing that thou hast no tidings

H1309

glad tidings; by implication, reward for good news

מֹצֵֽאת׃27 of 27

ready

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 18:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 18:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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