But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.

2 SAMUEL 18:23KJV
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2 Samuel 18:23 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 18:23 mean?

2 Samuel 18:23 describes how Ahimaaz insisted on running to deliver news, was given permission, and then ran by a faster route across the plain, overtaking the messenger Cushi. The verse shows Ahimaaz’s eagerness and determination to reach David first with the news from the battlefield.

In this scene, Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok the priest, is speaking to Joab, David’s military commander. Ahimaaz wants to bring news to King David about the outcome of the battle with Absalom. Despite Joab’s earlier hesitation, Ahimaaz is finally allowed to go and chooses a route “by the way of the plain,” which allows him to outrun Cushi, the other messenger.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 18:23

  • The word for “run” (רָץ, rats, H7323) appears several times here, emphasizing Ahimaaz’s urgency and energy in delivering the message.
  • “Way” (דֶּרֶךְ, derek, H1870) and “plain” (כִּכָּר, kikkar, H3603) together highlight that Ahimaaz took a specific, likely easier or faster, route—across open land rather than hills or rough terrain.
  • “Overran” (עָבַר, avar, H5674) means to pass by or overtake, making it clear that Ahimaaz not only caught up to but surpassed Cushi on the way.

Why 2 Samuel 18:23 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Ahimaaz’s determination and choice of route allowed him to arrive before Cushi, showing both his zeal and resourcefulness.
  • This detail sets up the following scene, where Ahimaaz is the first to bring news to David, which affects how the king receives the report about Absalom.
  • The emphasis on the route and the act of overtaking highlights the importance of the messenger and the message in the narrative, not just the content of the news itself.

Where else these words appear

“Ahimaaz” Hebrew H290 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:50 And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz: and the name of the captain of his host was Abner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.
  • 2 Samuel 17:20 And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem.
  • 2 Samuel 18:29 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.

“Cushi” Hebrew H3569 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Samuel 18:21 Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and ran.
  • 2 Chronicles 14:12 So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
  • Jeremiah 38:10 Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.

“plain” Hebrew H3603 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
  • 2 Samuel 12:30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:

“run” Hebrew H7323 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • 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?
  • Job 9:25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.