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2 Samuel 18:20

Joab

18 During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.

19 Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.”

But Joab replied, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.”

21 So Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running.

22 Ahimaaz son of Zadok, however, persisted and said to Joab, “Regardless of whatever may happen, please let me also run behind the Cushite!” “My son,” Joab replied, “why do you want to run, since you will not receive a reward?”

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But Joab replied, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.”
KJV
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.
WEB
Joab said to him, “You must not be the bearer of news today, but you must carry news another day. But today you must carry no news, because the king’s son is dead.”
ASV
And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not be the bearer of 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.
DARBY
And Joab said to him, Thou shalt not be a bearer of news to-day, but thou shalt carry the news another day; but to-day thou shalt carry no news, because the king's son is dead.
BLB
And Joab said to him, “You [are] not the man to take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day. And this day you shall not take news, upon that the son of the king is dead.”
ÅB
Men Joab sa til ham: Ikke vil du idag bli en mann med gledelig budskap; en annen dag kan du komme med gledelig budskap; men idag ville du ikke komme med noe gledelig budskap, siden kongens sønn er død.
OTB
Men Joab sa til ham: "Du skal ikke bringe nyheter i dag, men du skal bringe nyheter en annen dag. I dag skal du ikke bringe nyheten, fordi kongens sønn er død."
B1930
Men Joab sa til ham: Ikke vil du idag bli en mann med gledelig budskap; en annen dag kan du komme med gledelig budskap; men idag vilde du ikke komme med noget gledelig budskap, siden kongens sønn er død.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 18:5

    Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, “Treat the young man Absalom gently for my sake.” And all the people heard the king’s orders to each of the commanders regarding Absalom.

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 18:33

    The king was shaken and went up to the gate chamber and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 17:16–21

    Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’”

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 18:29

    The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” And Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was.”

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 18:27

    The watchman said, “The first man appears to me to be running like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” “This is a good man,” said the king. “He comes with good news.”

    Read in context