II Samuel 18:19-
“Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies. And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.” (II Sasmuel 18:19-20)
Jonathan and Ahimaaz had brought Hushai’s message to David, having a great impact on the outcome of the battle. When they learned that Absalom had been killed, he volunteered to carry the news of his death to David. After all it would be really exciting to carry the news that victory had been won.
Joab recognized that David’s pleasure in victory would mitigated by his grief over the death of his son. How the message was presented would be as important as the message itself. Ahimaaz was too excited about the victory and carrying the message to think about the hurt it might cause. In his excitement, he might well present it in an offensive manner. Joab told him that it would be better for him to wait until another time.
“Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.” (II Samuel 18:21)
Cushi had been actively engaged in the battle, he was aware of the horrors of seeing men die. He realized what victory had cost, and would not be as excited about winning. Joab told him to tell David what he had seen.
“Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi.
And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
But howsoever, said he, let me run.
And he said unto him, Run.
Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.” (II Samuel 18:22-23)
Ahimaaz was still excited about being a messenger, insisting he wanted to run. Joab asked him why since he had nothing to tell, but finally allowed him to go. Focused on his running, rather than his message. Ahimaaz was able to take a shortcut and beat Cushi to the city.
“And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried, and told the king.
And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth.
And he came apace, and drew near. And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone.
And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.
And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.” (II Samuel 18:24-27)
The watchman David had posted spotted both men, and after watching a little while recognized Ahimaaz’ running style. David said that he was a good man dn his fast pace indicated he was carrying good news.
“And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe?
And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.” (II Samuel 18:28-30)
When Ahimaaz arrived, he shouted out that David’s enemies had been defeated. David asked for more information, and Ahimaaz had to say that was all he knew. He had seen a big commotion going on when he left, but he didn’t know what it was about. David then asked him to stand over out of the way while Cushi reported. For all David knew, the commotion could well have been a violent attack by the other side that resulted in extending the battle.
“And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe?
And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.” (II Samuel 18:31-32)
Like Ahimaaz, Cushi reported that they had been victorious, but he was able to answer questions about what had happened. When David asked him about Absalom, Cushi was able to answer the question, but he was discreet in his response. Instead of blasting out the news, he responded in a way that implied his regret, that he was dead.
In my fifty years working in churches, I have observed a lot of people like, Ahimaaz. They are so eager to do something they don’t take the time to find out what needs to be done. As a result most of their effort produces little or no value, and frequently causes problems.
Youth groups are often sent on soul winning or mission trips in hopes of exciting them about serving the Lord. They are usually given some sales script that is supposed to cause people to get saved. Unfortunately they are little better equipped to win people to Christ than the kids who the schools send out to sell candy bars or other products, depending on people to buy as favor to help the kid rather than a real desire for the product. Because they have no real understanding of what is actually required or what Christ did to save people, they are unable to do anything but follow the script and hope somebody gets saved. They are unequipped to answer legitimate questions or even lay a foundation for someone to build on. The kids get excited, but like Ahimaaz, they have little to offer of real value.
It is far better to send someone like Cushi, who actually has enough information to answer relevant questions, even though it may mean they don’t get there as quickly, or aren’t as excited. Until they have the whole message people cannot make legitimate decisions.
“And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (II Samuel 18:33)
This is the third of David’s sons to die, at least indirectly as a result of David’s sin with Bathsheba. Absalom’ s death is directly a result of his failure to honor his father, but David is forced to confront the fact that his example in having Uriah murdered and his handling of Amnon’s rape of Tamar, and how he treated Absalom for murdering Amnon all contributed to his death. Think of the guilt David must have felt.
“Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies. And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.” (II Sasmuel 18:19-20)
Jonathan and Ahimaaz had brought Hushai’s message to David, having a great impact on the outcome of the battle. When they learned that Absalom had been killed, he volunteered to carry the news of his death to David. After all it would be really exciting to carry the news that victory had been won.
Joab recognized that David’s pleasure in victory would mitigated by his grief over the death of his son. How the message was presented would be as important as the message itself. Ahimaaz was too excited about the victory and carrying the message to think about the hurt it might cause. In his excitement, he might well present it in an offensive manner. Joab told him that it would be better for him to wait until another time.
“Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.” (II Samuel 18:21)
Cushi had been actively engaged in the battle, he was aware of the horrors of seeing men die. He realized what victory had cost, and would not be as excited about winning. Joab told him to tell David what he had seen.
“Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi.
And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
But howsoever, said he, let me run.
And he said unto him, Run.
Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.” (II Samuel 18:22-23)
Ahimaaz was still excited about being a messenger, insisting he wanted to run. Joab asked him why since he had nothing to tell, but finally allowed him to go. Focused on his running, rather than his message. Ahimaaz was able to take a shortcut and beat Cushi to the city.
“And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchman cried, and told the king.
And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth.
And he came apace, and drew near. And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone.
And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.
And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.
And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.” (II Samuel 18:24-27)
The watchman David had posted spotted both men, and after watching a little while recognized Ahimaaz’ running style. David said that he was a good man dn his fast pace indicated he was carrying good news.
“And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king.
And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe?
And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.
And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.” (II Samuel 18:28-30)
When Ahimaaz arrived, he shouted out that David’s enemies had been defeated. David asked for more information, and Ahimaaz had to say that was all he knew. He had seen a big commotion going on when he left, but he didn’t know what it was about. David then asked him to stand over out of the way while Cushi reported. For all David knew, the commotion could well have been a violent attack by the other side that resulted in extending the battle.
“And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe?
And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.” (II Samuel 18:31-32)
Like Ahimaaz, Cushi reported that they had been victorious, but he was able to answer questions about what had happened. When David asked him about Absalom, Cushi was able to answer the question, but he was discreet in his response. Instead of blasting out the news, he responded in a way that implied his regret, that he was dead.
In my fifty years working in churches, I have observed a lot of people like, Ahimaaz. They are so eager to do something they don’t take the time to find out what needs to be done. As a result most of their effort produces little or no value, and frequently causes problems.
Youth groups are often sent on soul winning or mission trips in hopes of exciting them about serving the Lord. They are usually given some sales script that is supposed to cause people to get saved. Unfortunately they are little better equipped to win people to Christ than the kids who the schools send out to sell candy bars or other products, depending on people to buy as favor to help the kid rather than a real desire for the product. Because they have no real understanding of what is actually required or what Christ did to save people, they are unable to do anything but follow the script and hope somebody gets saved. They are unequipped to answer legitimate questions or even lay a foundation for someone to build on. The kids get excited, but like Ahimaaz, they have little to offer of real value.
It is far better to send someone like Cushi, who actually has enough information to answer relevant questions, even though it may mean they don’t get there as quickly, or aren’t as excited. Until they have the whole message people cannot make legitimate decisions.
“And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (II Samuel 18:33)
This is the third of David’s sons to die, at least indirectly as a result of David’s sin with Bathsheba. Absalom’ s death is directly a result of his failure to honor his father, but David is forced to confront the fact that his example in having Uriah murdered and his handling of Amnon’s rape of Tamar, and how he treated Absalom for murdering Amnon all contributed to his death. Think of the guilt David must have felt.
I agree, the tendency today is to focus on an emotional response or just the the baby food so that a great many are like those in Hebrews 5:12-13, who had always settled for the milk and were not strong enough to reach out to others. I am concerned about the number of pastors who have insisted every message be a salvation message and never understood that saved people need solid food.
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