2 Samuel 18:21
New International Version
Then Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed down before Joab and ran off.

New Living Translation
Then Joab said to a man from Ethiopia, “Go tell the king what you have seen.” The man bowed and ran off.

English Standard Version
Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran.

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

King James Bible
Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.

New King James Version
Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed himself to Joab and ran.

New American Standard Bible
Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran.

NASB 1995
Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran.

NASB 1977
Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran.

Amplified Bible
Then Joab said to the Cushite (Ethiopian), “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” And the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran.

Christian Standard Bible
Joab then said to a Cushite, “Go tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Joab then said to the Cushite, “Go tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running.

American Standard Version
Then said Joab to the Cushite, Go, tell the king what thou hast seen. And the Cushite bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.

Contemporary English Version
Someone from Ethiopia was standing there, and Joab told him, "Go and tell the king what you have seen." The man knelt down in front of Joab, then got up and started running.

English Revised Version
Then said Joab to the Cushite, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And the Cushite bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Joab said to a man from Sudan, "Go, tell the king what you saw." The messenger bowed down with his face touching the ground in front of Joab and then ran off.

Good News Translation
Then he said to his Ethiopian slave, "Go and tell the king what you have seen." The slave bowed and ran off.

International Standard Version
So Joab ordered a man from Ethiopia, "Go tell the king what you've seen." So the Ethiopian saluted Joab and then ran to tell David.

Majority Standard Bible
So Joab said to a Cushite, ?Go, tell the king what you have seen.? The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running.

NET Bible
Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go and tell the king what you have seen." After bowing to Joab, the Cushite ran off.

New Heart English Bible
Then Joab said to the Cushite, "Go, tell the king what you have seen." So the Cushite bowed before Joab and departed.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Joab to Cushi, Go, tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself to Joab, and ran.

World English Bible
Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen!” The Cushite bowed himself to Joab, and ran.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Joab says to Cushi, “Go, declare to the king that which you have seen”; and Cushi bows himself to Joab, and runs.

Young's Literal Translation
And Joab saith to Cushi, 'Go, declare to the king that which thou hast seen;' and Cushi boweth himself to Joab, and runneth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joab will say to Cushi, Go, announce to the king what thou sawest. And Cushi will worship to Joab, and run.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Joab said to Chusai: Go, and tell the king what thou hast seen. Chusai bowed down to Joab, and ran.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Joab said to Hushai, “Go, and report to the king what you have seen.” Hushai reverenced Joab, and he ran.

New American Bible
Then Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and ran off.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed before Joab, and ran.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Joab said to Cushi, Go tell the king what you have seen; and he ran.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yuab said to Kushi: “Go, show the King whatever you have seen!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said Joab to the Cushite: 'Go tell the king what thou hast seen.' And the Cushite bowed down unto Joab, and ran.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joab said to Chusi, Go, report to the king all that thou hast seen. And Chusi did obeisance to Joab, and went out.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Mourns for Absalom
20But 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.” 21So Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running. 22Ahimaaz 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?”…

Cross References
2 Samuel 15:1-6
Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him. / He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” / Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” ...

2 Samuel 17:17-21
Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, for they dared not be seen entering the city. / But a young man did see them and told Absalom. So the two left quickly and came to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. / Then the man’s wife took a covering, spread it over the mouth of the well, and scattered grain over it so nobody would know a thing. ...

2 Samuel 19:1-8
Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.” / And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.” / So they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle. ...

1 Kings 1:42-43
As he was speaking, suddenly Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest arrived. “Come in,” said Adonijah, “for you are a man of valor. You must be bringing good news.” / “Not at all,” Jonathan replied. “Our lord King David has made Solomon king.

1 Kings 2:28-30
When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah but not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. / It was reported to King Solomon: “Joab has fled to the tent of the LORD and is now beside the altar.” So Solomon sent Benaiah son of Jehoiada, saying, “Go, strike him down!” / And Benaiah entered the tent of the LORD and said to Joab, “The king says, ‘Come out!’” But Joab replied, “No, I will die here.” So Benaiah relayed the message to the king, saying, “This is how Joab answered me.”

1 Chronicles 18:14-17
Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people: / Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; / Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Shavsha was the scribe; ...

1 Chronicles 19:1-2
Some time later, Nahash king of the Ammonites died and was succeeded by his son. / And David said, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console Hanun concerning his father. But when David’s servants arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him,

1 Chronicles 20:1-3
In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, Joab led out the army and ravaged the land of the Ammonites. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. And Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it. / Then David took the crown from the head of their king. It was found to weigh a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city. / David brought out the people who were there and put them to work with saws, iron picks, and axes. And he did the same to all the Ammonite cities. Then David and all his troops returned to Jerusalem.

Psalm 3:1-8
A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me! / Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah / But You, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. ...

Psalm 18:1-3
For the choirmaster. Of David the servant of the LORD, who sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said: I love You, O LORD, my strength. / The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. / I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Jeremiah 51:31
One courier races to meet another, and messenger follows messenger, to announce to the king of Babylon that his city has been captured from end to end.

Matthew 28:7-10
Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.” / So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. / Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. ...

Mark 16:7
But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’”

Luke 24:9-10
And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. / It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.


Treasury of Scripture

Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what you have seen. And Cushi bowed himself to Joab, and ran.

Jump to Previous
Bowed Boweth Cushi Cushite Cushy Declare Joab Jo'ab Making Ran Respect Runneth Sign Word
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Bowed Boweth Cushi Cushite Cushy Declare Joab Jo'ab Making Ran Respect Runneth Sign Word
2 Samuel 18
1. David viewing the armies in their march gives them charge of Absalom
6. The Israelites are sorely smitten in the wood of ephraim
9. Absalom, hanging in an oak is slain by Joab, and cast into a pit
18. Absalom's place
19. Ahimaaz and Cushi bring tidings to David
33. David mourns for Absalom














Then Joab said
Joab, the commander of King David's army, is a central figure in this narrative. His name in Hebrew, יוֹאָב (Yo'av), means "Yahweh is father." Joab's actions throughout the books of Samuel reveal a complex character who is fiercely loyal to David but often acts with ruthless pragmatism. In this context, Joab's decision to send a messenger reflects his strategic mind, understanding the importance of controlling the flow of information to King David.

to the Cushite
The term "Cushite" refers to a person from Cush, a region often associated with the area south of Egypt, possibly modern-day Sudan. In the biblical context, Cushites were known for their distinct appearance and were sometimes employed as mercenaries or servants. The choice of a Cushite as a messenger may indicate Joab's intention to use someone who was not an Israelite, perhaps to distance the message from internal political implications or to ensure the message was delivered swiftly and without bias.

Go, tell the king
The directive "Go, tell the king" underscores the urgency and importance of the message. In ancient times, communication was primarily oral, and the role of a messenger was crucial. The king, in this case, David, needed to be informed of the outcome of the battle and the fate of his son Absalom. This phrase highlights the responsibility placed on the messenger to convey not just information, but the emotional and political weight of the news.

what you have seen
This phrase emphasizes the eyewitness nature of the report. In biblical narratives, firsthand accounts are valued for their authenticity and reliability. The Cushite's role is to provide an accurate depiction of events, which in this case involves the death of Absalom. The phrase also suggests a level of trust in the Cushite's ability to observe and report faithfully, a critical aspect in a time when written records were scarce.

The Cushite bowed to Joab
Bowing is a gesture of respect and submission, common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The Cushite's act of bowing to Joab signifies acknowledgment of Joab's authority and the acceptance of the task. This gesture also reflects the hierarchical nature of the society, where social and military ranks were clearly defined and respected.

and ran off
The phrase "ran off" indicates the immediacy and urgency of the mission. Running suggests haste, reflecting the critical nature of the message and the need for it to reach King David without delay. In the broader narrative, this urgency is tied to the emotional and political turmoil surrounding Absalom's rebellion and its aftermath. The Cushite's swift departure underscores the tension and anticipation of how David will receive the news.

(21) Cushi.--Rather, the Cushite, probably an Ethiopian slave in Joab's service, for whose falling under the king's displeasure he had little care.

Verse 21. - Cushi. This is not a proper name, but signifies that he was an Ethiopian in Joab's service. Joab was unwilling to expose Ahimaaz to me king's displeasure, and we gather from ver. 27 that the sending of a person of low rank would be understood to signify evil tidings. The bearer of good news received a present, and therefore the passing over all Joab's personal friends to send a slave was proof that the message was not expected to bring the bearer honour or reward. And Joab was quite right in supposing that David would be more displeased at his son's death than pleased at the victory.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Joab
יוֹאָב֙ (yō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

said
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to a Cushite,
לַכּוּשִׁ֔י (lak·kū·šî)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3569: Cushite -- descendant of Cush

“Go,
לֵ֛ךְ (lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

tell
הַגֵּ֥ד (hag·gêḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

the king
לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

what
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you have seen.”
רָאִ֑יתָה (rā·’î·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

The Cushite
כוּשִׁ֛י (ḵū·šî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3569: Cushite -- descendant of Cush

bowed
וַיִּשְׁתַּ֧חוּ (way·yiš·ta·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

to Joab
לְיוֹאָ֖ב (lə·yō·w·’āḇ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3097: Joab -- 'the LORD is father', three Israelites

and took off running.
וַיָּרֹֽץ׃ (way·yā·rōṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7323: To run


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OT History: 2 Samuel 18:21 Then said Joab to the Cushite Go (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 18:20
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