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.

2 SAMUEL 18:20KJV
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2 Samuel 18:20 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 18:20 mean?

2 Samuel 18:20 describes Joab telling a messenger that he cannot bring news to the king on this day because the king’s son has died, but that he may carry news on another occasion. Joab is careful about who delivers the difficult message of Absalom’s death to King David.

Joab, the commander of David’s army, is speaking to a man who wants to run and tell King David what has happened in the battle. Joab refuses, saying that since the news involves the death of David’s son Absalom, this is not the right time or person to deliver it. The verse highlights Joab’s awareness of how sensitive and painful this news will be for David, and his desire to control how it is delivered.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 18:20

  • "Tidings" (בְּשׂוֹרָה, bĕsorah): This word means "news" or "good news," but here it is used for the report of Absalom’s death, which is actually tragic news. The use of this word shows the irony and weight of the message.
  • "Dead" (מֵת, mēt): This word simply means "dead" or "has died." Its direct use in the verse underlines the finality and seriousness of the situation Joab is addressing.

Why 2 Samuel 18:20 matters

  • The verse shows Joab’s sensitivity to the emotional impact of Absalom’s death on David, highlighting the care taken in delivering painful news.
  • It reveals the tension between military duty and personal relationships, as Joab must balance the outcome of the battle with David’s feelings as a father.
  • This moment sets up the following verses, where the actual messenger and the way the news is delivered play a significant role in David’s reaction and the story’s unfolding.

Where else these words appear

“tidings” Hebrew H1309 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Samuel 4:10 When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings:
  • 2 Samuel 18:22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
  • 2 Samuel 18:27 And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.

“tidings” Hebrew H1319 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Samuel 4:17 And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken.
  • 2 Samuel 18:31 And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.
  • Isaiah 40:9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

“Joab” Hebrew H3097 · used in 124 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 14:21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
  • 2 Samuel 24:4 Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.