2 Samuel 18:24

David

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?”

²³ “No matter what, I want to run!” he replied. “Then run!” Joab told him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.

Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone.

²⁵ So he called out and told the king. “If he is alone,” the king replied, “he bears good news.” As the first runner drew near,

²⁶ the watchman saw another man running, and he called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone!” “This one also brings good news,” said the king.

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: Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone.
KJV: 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.
WEB: Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall, and lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, a man running alone.
ASV: Now David was sitting between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man running alone.
DARBY: And David sat between the two gates; and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate, on to the wall, and lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man running alone.
BLB: And David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate to the wall, and he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was running by himself.

ÅB: Imidlertid satt David mellom begge portene, og vekteren gikk på taket over porten, bort på muren, og så utover. Da fikk han se en mann som kom springende alene.
OTB: Nå satt David mellom de to portene, og vaktmannen gikk opp på taket av porten ved muren, og han løftet øynene og så, og se, en mann løp alene.
B1930: Imidlertid satt David mellem begge portene, og vekteren gikk på taket over porten, bort på muren, og så utover. Da fikk han se en mann som kom springende alene.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

2 Samuel 19:8
So the king got up and sat in the gate, and all the people were told: “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” So they all came before the king. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled, each man to his home.
Read in context
1 Samuel 4:13
When he arrived, there was Eli, sitting on his chair beside the road and watching, because his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man entered the city to give a report, the whole city cried out.
Read in context
2 Samuel 13:34
Meanwhile, Absalom had fled. When the young man standing watch looked up, he saw many people coming down the road west of him, along the side of the hill. And the watchman went and reported to the king, “I see men coming from the direction of Horonaim, along the side of the hill.”
Read in context
Isaiah 21:6–9
For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.
Read in context
Ezekiel 33:2–7
“Son of man, speak to your people and tell them: ‘Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land choose a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman,
Read in context
2 Samuel 18:4
“I will do whatever seems best to you,” the king replied. So he stood beside the gate, while all the troops marched out by hundreds and by thousands.
Read in context
Isaiah 21:11–12
This is the burden against Dumah: One calls to me from Seir, “Watchman, what is left of the night? Watchman, what is left of the night?”
Read in context
2 Kings 9:17–20
Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, and he called out, “I see a company of troops!” “Choose a rider,” Joram commanded. “Send him out to meet them and ask, ‘Have you come in peace?’”
Read in context