Why Are They Running?

David had given specific orders that Absalom was not to be killed if it could be avoided.  He had been hanging by his hair from tree, when he was found, and could easily have been arrested without risk.  Instead, still holding agrudge against him for burning his field, Joab, thrust three darts into his heart, then had ten other guys attack him with swords and clubs so that it would appear he had been killed in battle.  Knowing David would be upset about his death, the people buried him and slunk away. 

Absalom’s death ended any excuse for continuing the battle, and David needed to be informed about what was going on.  One of the priest’s sons, Ahimaaz had felt very important bringin the warning to David, and wanted to experience the same thrill again, but Joab refused to let him, in 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.” 

Joab refused to use Ahimaaz because he was so excited about carrying the message he would not think about how the news of Absalom’s death would affect David.  Instead, he chose a more experienced man, Cushi, who knew more of the details about what had happened, but would be more respectful of David’s feelings, in II Samuel 18:21.  “Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.”

Ahimaaz insisted on running, to show he could do it, and Joab asked him why, since he had no message to deliver.  Ahimaaz insisted anyway, so Joab allowed him to go.  Taking a shortcut, Ahimaaz beat Cushi getting there, but when he arrived, he really had little information to give, as II Samuel 18:22-30 tells us.  “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.

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.

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.”

Ahimaaz had been very fast to get there, but he had little of value to offer when he arrived.  When asked about David’s most pressing concern, he had no answere.  His run accomplished nothing of value.  Unfortunately, too often because churches have a group of young people who want to do something, they organize a mission trip and send the kids.  Unfortunately, the kids are excited about the trip but have little or no real understanding of what is needed or why.  Armed with a sales script about salvation they go out to win souls with no real understanding of what the people might need to know to genuinely believe in Christ, and because they get a number of people who buy into the script think they have accomplished something important, never realizing that even many of those who professed christ were not really saved. 

When Cushi arrived, he was far less excited about the trip, but was mature and experienced enough to understand what David needed to know,  as we see in II Samuel 18:31-33.  “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.

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!”

With more understanding of what was involved and more concern about the impact of his message, Cushi was able to answer David’s questions in a diplomatic fashion, accomplishing the purpose of sending the message.  In most cases it would be far more effective to involve teenagers in local church activities, so they can learn to effectively serve the Lord at home and only allowing those who have demonstrated a level of spiritual maturity and an interest in ministry to take part in mission projects.  If not done carefully, mission projects tend to weaken the churches they are supposed to help by letting them avoid taking responsibility for themselves.  The local people should already be doing what the teen mission group comes in to do, in most cases.