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.

2 SAMUEL 18:25KJV
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2 Samuel 18:25 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 18:25 mean?

2 Samuel 18:25 describes a watchman who sees someone approaching alone and reports this to King David. The king responds that if the person is alone, he must be bringing news, and the runner comes closer quickly.

In this scene, a lookout (the watchman) is stationed to observe the road during a tense moment after a battle involving David’s son Absalom. The watchman calls out his sighting to David, who is anxiously waiting for news. David interprets the sight of a single runner as a sign that the person is carrying a message, not leading troops.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 18:25

  • "watchman" (צֹפֶה, tsopheh): This word refers to someone who keeps watch from a high place, emphasizing the role of vigilance and alertness in the story.
  • "cried" (קָרָא, qara’): This word means to call out loudly, showing the urgency and importance of the message being delivered to the king.
  • "tidings" (בְּשֹׂרָה, besorah): This word means news or a report, often with the sense of important or significant information, which highlights that the runner is expected to bring a crucial update.
  • "apace" (הָלַךְ, halakh): This word literally means "to go" or "to walk," but here it suggests the runner is moving quickly, underlining the urgency of the situation.

Why 2 Samuel 18:25 matters

  • This verse highlights the tension and anticipation as David waits for news about the outcome of the battle and the fate of his son Absalom.
  • The detail that the runner is alone helps the reader understand that this is not an enemy attack but a messenger, which shapes David’s expectations and the mood of the scene.
  • The verse connects to the broader narrative by building suspense and setting up the emotional impact of the news David is about to receive.

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 18:20 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 18:27 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.

“near” Hebrew H7131 · used in 11 verses

  • Numbers 1:51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
  • Numbers 17:13 Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?
  • 1 Samuel 17:41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

“watchman” Hebrew H6822 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • Job 15:22 He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.
  • Jeremiah 6:17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.