Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The watchman called out to the king and reported it. The king said, “If he is alone, he must have good news.” And the runner came closer and closer. New Living Translation He shouted the news down to David, and the king replied, “If he is alone, he has news.” As the messenger came closer, English Standard Version The watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he drew nearer and nearer. Berean Standard Bible 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, King James Bible And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. New King James Version Then the watchman cried out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” And he came rapidly and drew near. New American Standard Bible So the watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is by himself there is good news in his mouth.” And he came nearer and nearer. NASB 1995 The watchman called and told the king. And the king said, “If he is by himself there is good news in his mouth.” And he came nearer and nearer. NASB 1977 And the watchman called and told the king. And the king said, “If he is by himself there is good news in his mouth.” And he came nearer and nearer. Legacy Standard Bible And the watchman called and told the king. And the king said, “If he is by himself there is good news in his mouth.” And he came nearer and nearer. Amplified Bible The lookout called down and told the king. The king said, “If he is alone, he has good news to tell.” And he came nearer and nearer. Christian Standard Bible He called out and told the king. The king said, “If he’s alone, he bears good news.” As the first runner came closer, Holman Christian Standard Bible He called out and told the king. The king said, “If he’s alone, he bears good news.” As the first runner came closer, American Standard Version And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. Contemporary English Version and shouted down to tell David. David answered, "If he's alone, he must have some news." The runner was getting closer, English Revised Version And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. GOD'S WORD® Translation The watchman called and alerted the king. "If he's alone," the king said, "he has good news to tell." The runner continued to come closer. Good News Translation He called down and told the king, and the king said, "If he is alone, he is bringing good news." The runner kept coming closer. International Standard Version So the watchman called out his news to the king. The king responded, "If he's alone, he's bringing some news to report." As the man continued to draw near and approach the palace, Majority Standard Bible 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, NET Bible So the watchman called out and informed the king. The king said, "If he is by himself, he brings good news." The runner came ever closer. New Heart English Bible Then the watchman shouted and informed the king. And the king said, "If he is alone, there is good news in his mouth." And he kept coming nearer. Webster's Bible Translation And the watchman called, and told the king. And the king said, If he is alone there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. World English Bible The watchman shouted and told the king. The king said, “If he is alone, there is news in his mouth.” He came closer and closer. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the watchman calls, and declares [it] to the king, and the king says, “If [he is] by himself, tidings [are] in his mouth”; and he comes, coming on and drawing near. Young's Literal Translation And the watchman calleth, and declareth to the king, and the king saith, 'If by himself, tidings are in his mouth;' and he cometh, coming on and drawing near. Smith's Literal Translation And the watcher will call and announce to the king. And the king will say, If alone, good news in his month. And he will go, going, and draw near. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd crying out he told the king: and the king said: If he be alone, there are good tidings in his mouth. And as he was coming apace, and drawing nearer, Catholic Public Domain Version And crying out, he told the king. And the king said, “If he is alone, there is good news in his mouth.” But as he was advancing and drawing nearer, New American Bible The lookout shouted to inform the king, who said, “If he is alone, he has good news to report.” As he kept coming nearer, New Revised Standard Version The sentinel shouted and told the king. The king said, “If he is alone, there are tidings in his mouth.” He kept coming, and drew near. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, if he is alone, there are tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the Watchman called and he told the King, and the King said: “If he is alone, good news is in his mouth!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said: 'If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth.' And he came apace, and drew near. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the watchman cried out, and reported to the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there are good tidings in his mouth. And the man came and drew near. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context David Mourns for Absalom…24Now 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. 25So he called out and told the king. “If he is alone,” the king replied, “he bears good news.” As the first runner drew near, 26the 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.… Cross References 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.” 2 Samuel 15:24-26 Zadok was also there, and all the Levites with him were carrying the ark of the covenant of God. And they set down the ark of God, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the people had passed out of the city. / Then the king said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and let me see both it and His dwelling place again. / But if He should say, ‘I do not delight in you,’ then here I am; let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him.” 2 Samuel 17:17 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. 2 Samuel 19:20 For your servant knows that I have sinned, so here I am today as the first of all the house of Joseph to come down to meet my lord the king.” 1 Kings 1:42 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.” 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?’” / So a horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.” / So the king sent out a second horseman, who went to them and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” ... 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. 1 Samuel 14:16 Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction, 1 Samuel 26:4 David sent out spies to verify that Saul had arrived. 2 Samuel 1:5 Then David asked the young man who had brought him the report, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” 2 Samuel 15:10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’” 2 Samuel 15:28 See, I will wait at the fords of the wilderness until word comes from you to inform me.” 2 Samuel 18:19-20 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.” 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.” 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.” Treasury of Scripture And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near. Jump to Previous Alone Apace Cried Declareth Drawing Drew Good Mouth Nearer News Reported Tidings Travelling WatchmanJump to Next Alone Apace Cried Declareth Drawing Drew Good Mouth Nearer News Reported Tidings Travelling Watchman2 Samuel 18 1. David viewing the armies in their march gives them charge of Absalom6. 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 So he called out and told the king. In this context, the watchman is performing his duty by alerting King David of an approaching runner. This reflects the ancient practice of using watchmen to keep an eye on the horizon for messengers or potential threats. The role of a watchman is significant throughout the Bible, symbolizing vigilance and readiness, as seen in Ezekiel 33:7, where God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman for Israel. “If he is alone,” the king replied, “he bears good news.” As the first runner drew near, Persons / Places / Events 1. WatchmanA sentinel stationed to observe and report any approaching individuals or events. In ancient times, watchmen played a crucial role in the safety and communication of a city or camp. 2. Gatekeeper The person responsible for controlling access to the city or palace, ensuring security and order. 3. King David The reigning king of Israel at this time, who is eagerly awaiting news from the battlefield concerning his son Absalom and the outcome of the conflict. 4. Runner A messenger tasked with delivering news from the battlefield to the king. In this context, the runner is expected to bring news of the battle's outcome. 5. Battle of Absalom The conflict between King David's forces and those loyal to his son Absalom, who had rebelled against David's rule. Teaching Points The Role of the WatchmanJust as the watchman was vigilant in observing and reporting, Christians are called to be spiritually alert and discerning, watching for signs of God's work and the enemy's schemes. The Importance of Communication Effective communication is vital in both spiritual and practical matters. Like the runner, we are called to be messengers of the Gospel, bringing the good news of Christ to others. Anticipation of Good News King David's expectation of good news reflects the hope we have in Christ. Despite life's battles, we can trust in God's ultimate victory and the good news of salvation. Responsibility of Leadership The gatekeeper's role in managing access and security parallels the responsibility of leaders to protect and guide their communities with wisdom and integrity. Responding to News Our response to news, whether good or bad, should be rooted in faith and trust in God's sovereignty, as demonstrated by King David's reaction to the messengers.Verse 25. - If he be alone. In case of defeat there would have been a crowd of runaways in eager flight. And when soon afterwards a second courier is seen, as he also is alone, and comes by a different route, his appearance only suggests the idea of completer tidings. And quickly the foremost is recognized by his running as the son of the high priest, and David is then assured that all has gone well, because Joab would not have sent a man of such rank to be the bearer of bad news. The word good may also mean that Ahimaaz was too brave a man to have fled from the battle, and must, therefore, have come on an errand from Joab. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So [he]הַצֹּפֶה֙ (haṣ·ṣō·p̄eh) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6822: To lean forward, to peer into the distance, to observe, await called out וַיִּקְרָ֤א (way·yiq·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read and told וַיַּגֵּ֣ד (way·yag·gêḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous the king. לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king “If he is alone,” אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not the king הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king replied, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “he bears בְּפִ֑יו (bə·p̄îw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to good news.” בְּשׂוֹרָ֣ה (bə·śō·w·rāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1309: Glad tidings, reward for, good news As the first runner drew וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk near, וְקָרֵֽב׃ (wə·qā·rêḇ) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7131: Approaching Links 2 Samuel 18:25 NIV2 Samuel 18:25 NLT 2 Samuel 18:25 ESV 2 Samuel 18:25 NASB 2 Samuel 18:25 KJV 2 Samuel 18:25 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 18:25 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 18:25 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 18:25 French Bible 2 Samuel 18:25 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 18:25 The watchman cried and told the king (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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