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 18:20KJVWhat 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.