2 Samuel 18:22

22 Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, spoke to Joab again, "Whatever may happen, I also want to run after the Sudanese messenger." "Now, son, why should you deliver the message?" Joab asked. "You won't be rewarded for this news."

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 told him, "You won't be the man carrying good news today. You can carry the news some other day. You must not deliver the news today because the king's son is dead."

21 Then Joab said to a man from Sudan, "Go, tell the king what you saw." The messenger bowed down with his face touching the ground in front of Joab and then ran off.

22 Ahimaaz, Zadok's son, spoke to Joab again, "Whatever may happen, I also want to run after the Sudanese messenger." "Now, son, why should you deliver the message?" Joab asked. "You won't be rewarded for this news."

23 "Whatever happens, I'd like to run," [replied Ahimaaz.] "Run," Joab told him. So Ahimaaz ran along the valley road and got ahead of the Sudanese messenger.

24 David was sitting between the two gates while the watchman walked along the roof of the gate by the wall. As he looked, he saw a man running alone.