2 Samuel 18:24

24 David was sitting between the two gates. The sentry had gone up to the top of the gate on the wall and looked around. He saw a solitary runner.

2 Samuel 18:24 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 18:24

And David sat between the two gates
Of the city of Mahanaim; which being a fortified place had two walls, one within another, and in each wall a gate; and between these David sat, waiting for news of the battle:

and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall;
the gate to the outward wall, over which was a tower, and on that a flat roof; to which the watchman went to observe if he could see an express coming; no doubt by David's orders:

and lifted up his eyes and looked;
that is, very diligently and wistfully:

and, behold, a man running alone:
which made him the more observable, and was the more likely to be a messenger.

2 Samuel 18:24 In-Context

22 Ahimaaz son of Zadok kept at it, begging Joab, "What does it matter? Let me run too, following the Cushite." Joab said, "Why all this 'Run, run'? You'll get no thanks for it, I can tell you."

23 "I don't care; let me run." "Okay," said Joab, "run." So Ahimaaz ran, taking the lower valley road, and passed the Cushite.

24 David was sitting between the two gates. The sentry had gone up to the top of the gate on the wall and looked around. He saw a solitary runner.

25 The sentry called down and told the king. The king said, "If he's alone, it must be good news!"

26 the sentry saw another runner and called down to the gate, "Another runner all by himself." And the king said, "This also must be good news."