2 Samuel 18:23

23 He said, "I don't care what happens. I want to run." So Joab said, "Run!" Then Ahimaaz ran across the flatlands of the Jordan River. As he ran, he passed the man from Cush.

2 Samuel 18:23 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 18:23

But howsoever ([said he]) let me run
Be it as it may, I beg I may have leave; and being so very importunate, it was granted:

and he said unto him, run;
since he would take no denial:

then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi;
who ran by the way of the mountains; which though the shorter way, that through the plain was easiest, and soonest run, though the longest.

2 Samuel 18:23 In-Context

21 Then Joab said to a man from Cush, "Go. Tell the king what you have seen." The man bowed down in front of Joab. Then he ran off.

22 Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, spoke again to Joab. He said, "I don't care what happens to me. Please let me run behind the man from Cush." But Joab replied, "My son, why do you want to go? You don't have any news that will bring you a reward."

23 He said, "I don't care what happens. I want to run." So Joab said, "Run!" Then Ahimaaz ran across the flatlands of the Jordan River. As he ran, he passed the man from Cush.

24 David was sitting in the area between the inner and outer gates of the city. The man on guard duty went up to the roof over the entrance of the gate by the wall. As he looked out, he saw someone running alone.

25 He called out to the king and reported it. The king said, "If the runner is alone, he must be bringing good news." The man came closer and closer.