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 18:25KJVWhat 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.