2 Samuel 18:29
New International Version
The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” Ahimaaz answered, “I saw great confusion just as Joab was about to send the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was.”

New Living Translation
“What about young Absalom?” the king demanded. “Is he all right?” Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab told me to come, there was a lot of commotion. But I didn’t know what was happening.”

English Standard Version
And the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.

New King James Version
The king said, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was about.

New American Standard Bible
But the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I did not know what it was.

NASB 1995
The king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was.”

NASB 1977
And the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the king said, “Is there peace with the young man Absalom?” And Ahimaaz said, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was.”

Amplified Bible
The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw a great turmoil, but I do not know what it was about.”

Christian Standard Bible
The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right? ” Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a big disturbance, but I don’t know what it was.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a big disturbance, but I don’t know what it was.”

American Standard Version
And the king said, Is it well with the young man Absalom? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, even me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.

Contemporary English Version
"Is my son Absalom all right?" David asked. Ahimaaz said, "When Joab sent your personal servant and me, I saw a noisy crowd. But I don't know what it was all about."

English Revised Version
And the king said, Is it well with the young man Absalom? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, even me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Is the young man Absalom alright?" the king asked. Ahimaaz answered, "I saw a lot of confusion when Joab sent me away, but I didn't know what it meant."

Good News Translation
"Is the young man Absalom all right?" the king asked. Ahimaaz answered, "Sir, when your officer Joab sent me, I saw a great commotion, but I couldn't tell what it was."

International Standard Version
"Are things fine with respect to the young man Absalom?" the king asked. Ahimaaz answered, "I saw a lot of confusion about the time Joab was getting ready to send the king's courier and me, your servant, but I'm not sure what was going on."

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
The king replied, "How is the young man Absalom?" Ahimaaz replied, "I saw a great deal of confusion when Joab was sending the king's servant and me, your servant, but I don't know what it was all about."

New Heart English Bible
And the king asked, Is it well with the young man Absalom?" And Ahimaaz answered, "When Joab, the king's servant, sent your servant off, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.

World English Bible
The king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, even me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I don’t know what it was.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king says, “Peace to the youth—for Absalom?” And Ahimaaz says, “I saw the great multitude, at the sending away of the servant of the king, even your servant [by] Joab, and I have not known what [it is].”

Young's Literal Translation
And the king saith, 'Peace to the youth -- to Absalom?' And Ahimaaz saith, 'I saw the great multitude, at the sending away of the servant of the king, even thy servant by Joab, and I have not known what it is.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will say, Peace to the boy, to Absalom? And Ahimaaz will say, I saw the great multitude at Joab's sending the King's servant, and thy servant; and I knew not what.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king said: Is the young man Absalom safe? And Achimaas said: I saw a great tumult, O king, when thy servant Joab sent me thy servant: I know nothing else.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the king said, “Is there peace for the boy Absalom?” And Ahimaaz said: “I saw a great tumult, O king, when your servant Joab sent me, your servant. I know nothing else.”

New American Bible
But the king asked, “Is young Absalom safe?” And Ahimaaz replied, “I saw a great disturbance when the king’s servant Joab sent your servant on, but I do not know what it was.”

New Revised Standard Version
The king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I do not know what it was.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, I saw a great army arrayed against Joab the servant of my lord the king, but I your servant knew not what was the outcome.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The King said to him: “Is the boy Abishlum well?” Akhimaz said to him: “I saw the great army that surrounded Yuab the Servant of my Lord the King and your Servant. I did not know what was happening!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king said: 'Is it well with the young man Absalom?' And Ahimaaz answered: 'When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king said, Is the young man Abessalom safe? and Achimaas said, I saw a great multitude at the time of Joab's sending the king's servant and thy servant, and I knew not what was there.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Mourns for Absalom
28Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” And he bowed facedown before the king. He continued, “Blessed be the LORD your God! He has delivered up the men who raised their hands against my lord the king.” 29The 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.” 30“Move aside,” said the king, “and stand here.” So he stepped aside.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 14:17-20
And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’” / Then the king said to the woman, “I am going to ask you something; do not conceal it from me!” “Let my lord the king speak,” she replied. / So the king asked, “Is the hand of Joab behind all this?” The woman answered, “As surely as you live, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right or to the left from anything that my lord the king says. Yes, your servant Joab is the one who gave me orders; he told your maidservant exactly what to say. ...

2 Samuel 15:21
But Ittai answered the king, “As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be!”

2 Samuel 17:25
Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab.

2 Samuel 19:4
But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

1 Kings 1:52
And Solomon replied, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground. But if evil is found in him, he will die.”

1 Kings 2:32
The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army.

1 Chronicles 18:15
Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;

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 18:50
Great salvation He brings to His king. He shows loving devotion to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.

Psalm 20:6
Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.

Psalm 21:7
For the king trusts in the LORD; through the loving devotion of the Most High, he will not be shaken.

Psalm 72:1-4
Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. / May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice. / May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness. ...

Isaiah 9:6-7
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. / Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

Isaiah 11:1-5
Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit. / The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD. / And He will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear, ...

Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as King and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. / In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.


Treasury of Scripture

And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me your servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.

2 Samuel 18:19,20,22
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…

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Absalom Ab'salom Ahimaaz Ahi'ma-Az Confusion Great Is' Joab Jo'ab King's Multitude Outcry Peace Safe Sending Servant Tumult Young Youth
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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














The king asked
This phrase highlights King David's deep concern and paternal love for his son Absalom, despite Absalom's rebellion. The Hebrew root for "asked" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which can also mean to inquire or seek. This reflects David's persistent desire to know the fate of his son, emphasizing the human aspect of a father’s heart, even when faced with betrayal.

Is the young man Absalom all right?
Here, David's question underscores his personal turmoil and the conflict between his roles as king and father. The Hebrew word for "young man" is "נַעַר" (na'ar), often used to denote a youth or servant, indicating Absalom's position as both David's son and a rebellious subject. The phrase "all right" translates from "שָׁלוֹם" (shalom), meaning peace or well-being, which David desperately hopes for Absalom, reflecting his forgiving nature and the biblical theme of seeking peace.

And Ahimaaz replied
Ahimaaz, a messenger, is known for his loyalty and speed. His response is crucial in the narrative, as it reflects the tension and uncertainty of the moment. The Hebrew root "עָנָה" (anah) for "replied" suggests a response or testimony, indicating Ahimaaz's role as a bearer of news, though he chooses to withhold the full truth from David.

When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant
This phrase indicates the chain of command and the roles within David's army. Joab, the commander, is a complex figure known for his military prowess and sometimes ruthless decisions. The term "servant" (עֶבֶד, eved) signifies loyalty and duty, highlighting the structured hierarchy and the responsibilities of those serving the king.

I saw a great tumult
The word "tumult" (הָמוֹן, hamon) suggests chaos and noise, often associated with battle or unrest. Ahimaaz's observation of a "great tumult" reflects the confusion and disorder following the battle, symbolizing the broader conflict within Israel and the personal turmoil in David's family.

but I do not know what it was
Ahimaaz's admission of ignorance is significant. It may reflect his reluctance to deliver bad news or his genuine lack of knowledge. This phrase underscores the theme of uncertainty and the limitations of human understanding, reminding readers of the need for divine wisdom and guidance in times of crisis.

(29) Is . . . Absalom safe?--The king's whole interest is centred in Absalom, and he cares for no other tidings. Ahimaaz skilfully, though untruthfully, evades the question. He had just been trained to untruthfulness in David's service.

The king's servant.--This can only refer to the Cushite; but by omitting the single letter which forms the conjunction in Hebrew, the phrase becomes "When Joab, the king's servant, sent thy servant," and so the Vulg. reads.

Verse 29. - Is the young man Absalom safe! literally, Is there peace to the lad Absalom? Was this mere love for the handsome but rebellious son, whose image comes back to the father as he was when just reaching manhood? Certainly not. David was thinking of the ominous words, "The sword shall never depart from thine house" (2 Samuel 12:10). The sword had devoured one son; was it now to claim another? And then? and then? Where would it stop? And Ahimaaz saw the king's distress, and gave an evasive answer. He understood now Joab's unwillingness to let him carry such painful tidings, and was glad that this part of the news had been entrusted to the Cushite. When Joab sent the king's servant, and (me) thy servant. This distinction is strange, and probably one of these phrases has crept in from the margin. But if the Ethiopian was technically "the king's slave," and Ahimaaz "thy slave" (by courtesy), we might imagine that the attendants already formed part of the state of kings. It was long afterwards that Ebedmelech was a Cushite in the service of Zedekiah (Jeremiah 38:7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

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

“Is the young man
לַנַּ֖עַר (lan·na·‘ar)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

Absalom
לְאַבְשָׁל֑וֹם (lə·’aḇ·šā·lō·wm)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

safe?”
שָׁל֥וֹם (šā·lō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

And Ahimaaz
אֲחִימַ֡עַץ (’ă·ḥî·ma·‘aṣ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 290: Ahimaaz -- 'my brother is wrath', two Israelites

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

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

sent
לִ֠שְׁלֹחַ (liš·lō·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

the king’s
הַמֶּ֤לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

servant
עֶ֨בֶד (‘e·ḇeḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

and your servant,
עַבְדֶּ֔ךָ (‘aḇ·de·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

I saw
רָאִיתִי֩ (rā·’î·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

a great
הַגָּד֜וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

tumult,
הֶהָמ֨וֹן (he·hā·mō·wn)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1995: A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealth

but I do not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָדַ֖עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

what it was.”
מָֽה׃ (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what


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OT History: 2 Samuel 18:29 The king said Is it well (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 18:28
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