2 Samuel 18:31-33

David's Grief

31 And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, "Good news for my lord the king! For ¹the LORD has delivered you this day from the hand of all who rose up against you."

32 The king said to the Cushite, ²"Is it well with the young man Absalom?" And the Cushite answered, ³"May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man."

33 ^[a] And the king was deeply moved and went up ⁴to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, ⁵"O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

2 Samuel 18:31-33 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 18

In this chapter is an account of David's review of his army, preparing it for battle with Absalom, and those with him, 2Sa 18:1-5; and of the defeat and flight of the rebels, 2Sa 18:6-8; and of the death of Absalom, and the manner of it, and of his burial, 2Sa 18:9-18; and of the news of it brought to David by different persons, 2Sa 18:19-32; and of his great grief and sorrow on that account, 2Sa 18:33.

Cross References

• 1. ver. 19
• 2. [See ver. 29 above]
• 3. 1 Samuel 25:26
• 4. [See ver. 24 above]
• 5. 2 Samuel 19:4

Footnotes

• [a]. Ch 19:1 in Hebrew