2 Samuel 18:22

22 Ahimaaz son of Zadok, however, persisted and said to Joab, “No matter what, please let me also run behind the Cushite!” “My son,” Joab replied, “why do you want to run, since you will not receive a reward?”

2 Samuel 18:22 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 18:22

Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab
He could not be easy, even though a messenger was dispatched, but pressed Joab still:

but howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi;
only permit me to go after him, though not as a messenger:

and Joab said, wherefore wilt thou run, my son?
having a great affection for him, and concerned that he should take trouble on him to no purpose:

seeing thou hast no tidings ready;
no news to carry, but what Cushi is gone with, and so can have no audience of the king, nor any reward from him.

2 Samuel 18:22 In-Context

20 But Joab replied, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.”

21 So Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running.

22 Ahimaaz son of Zadok, however, persisted and said to Joab, “No matter what, please let me also run behind the Cushite!” “My son,” Joab replied, “why do you want to run, since you will not receive a reward?”

23 “No matter what, I want to run!” he replied. “Then run!” Joab told him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.

24 Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone.