2 Samuel 18:22

22 But Zadok's son Ahimaaz again said to Joab, "I don't care what happens, just let me run after the Cushite too." "Why do you want to go, son?" Joab asked. "You'll get no reward for going."

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 Joab said to him, "You aren't the one to bring the news today. You can bring news on another day, but not today, because the king's son is dead."

21 Then Joab said to a Cushite, "Go tell the king what you have seen." The Cushite bowed low before Joab, then ran off.

22 But Zadok's son Ahimaaz again said to Joab, "I don't care what happens, just let me run after the Cushite too." "Why do you want to go, son?" Joab asked. "You'll get no reward for going."

23 "I don't care what happens, I want to go," Ahimaaz said. So Joab said to him, "Run off then!" Ahimaaz ran off, going by way of the plain, and passed the Cushite.

24 Now David was sitting between the two gates. The watchman on duty went up on the roof of the gate by the wall. He looked out and saw a man running alone.

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb uncertain