2 Samuel 18:20 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Joab forbids Ahimaaz to carry the news this day because the report includes the death of David's son.
What Does 2 Samuel 18:20 Mean?
Joab declines Ahimaaz's request. He tells him to bear tidings another day, but not this one, precisely because the message must include the painful news that the king's son is dead.
Joab, who knows David's heart, shows an unexpected tenderness toward Ahimaaz, sparing a man he values from being the bearer of grief to the king. Some news wounds the one who carries it as much as the one who hears it. There is care in shielding a faithful friend from a burden that would not be soon forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Samuel 18:20
What does 2 Samuel 18:20 mean?
Joab forbids Ahimaaz to carry the news this day because the report includes the death of David's son.