2 Samuel 18:19 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ahimaaz, son of the priest Zadok, eagerly offers to run and bring David the news of the victory.
What Does 2 Samuel 18:19 Mean?
With the battle won, Ahimaaz, the son of the priest Zadok, asks Joab for permission to carry the report to David. He frames the news as good: the LORD has vindicated the king by delivering him from his enemies.
Ahimaaz sees the victory as the LORD's doing, not merely the army's, attributing the outcome to God who defends His anointed. His eagerness to bear good word reflects a heart aligned with the king's cause. Yet the news is not wholly glad, for it carries the death of a son, and the messenger does not yet grasp how heavy the tidings will fall.
2 Samuel 18:19 in the Original Language
avenged translates Hebrew shaphat (שָׁפַט), 'to judge' -- God's judging here means setting right by delivering the king from those who wronged him.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 18:19
What does 2 Samuel 18:19 mean?
Ahimaaz, son of the priest Zadok, eagerly offers to run and bring David the news of the victory.