2 Samuel 18:24-33

English Standard Version

²⁴ Now David ^(A)was sitting between the two gates, and ^(B)the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone. ²⁵ The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. ²⁶ The watchman saw another man running. And the watchman called to the gate and said, “See, another man running alone!” The king said, “He also brings news.” ²⁷ The watchman said, “I think the running of the first is ^(C)like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, ^(D)“He is a good man and comes with good news.”

²⁸ Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, ^(E)“Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.” ²⁹ And the king said, ^(F)“Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king's servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.” ³⁰ And the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.

David's Grief

³¹ And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king! For ^(G)the Lord has delivered you this day from the hand of all who rose up against you.” ³² The king said to the Cushite, ^(H)“Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, ^(I)“May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man.” ^33 [a] And the king was deeply moved and went up ^(J)to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, ^(K)“O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”