And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.

2 SAMUEL 18:26KJV
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2 Samuel 18:26 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 18:26 mean?

2 Samuel 18:26 describes a watchman noticing a second man running alone toward the city and alerting the porter, with the king responding that this runner must also be bringing news. The verse shows a moment of anticipation as the king waits for reports about the outcome of a battle.

In this scene, the watchman is stationed on the city wall, looking out for messengers. He sees another individual approaching and calls out to the porter (the gatekeeper) to report it. The king, likely David, is nearby and interprets the sight of a lone runner as a sign that important news is coming, since lone runners often carried messages from the battlefield.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 18:26

  • "watchman" (צָפָה, tsaphah): This word refers to someone who keeps watch or looks out, emphasizing the role of vigilance and alertness in the story.
  • "porter" (שַׁעַר, shāʿar): This term means gatekeeper, highlighting the organized system of city defense and communication.
  • "tidings" (בָּשַׂר, basar): This word means to bring news or announce, often used for both good and bad news, and here it underscores the expectation that the runner carries an important message.

Why 2 Samuel 18:26 matters

  • This verse highlights the tension and uncertainty as King David waits for news about the battle and his son Absalom, helping readers feel the suspense of the moment.
  • The use of specific roles like watchman and porter shows the structured way ancient cities handled information and security.
  • The verse sets up the emotional impact of the news that is about to be delivered, making the following events more dramatic and meaningful.

Where else these words appear

“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!

“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.

“porter” Hebrew H7778 · used in 37 verses

  • 2 Kings 7:10 So they came and called unto the porter of the city: and they told them, saying, We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, neither voice of man, but horses tied, and asses tied, and the tents as they were.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:5 Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.
  • Ezra 7:7 And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.

“running” 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.