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.
2 SAMUEL 18:27KJVWhat does 2 Samuel 18:27 mean?
2 Samuel 18:27 describes how a watchman, observing from a city wall, recognizes the running style of the leading messenger as Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok. King David responds by saying that Ahimaaz is a good man and must be bringing good news.
The scene takes place after a battle, with the watchman reporting to King David about approaching runners. The watchman notices that the first runner moves in a way that reminds him of Ahimaaz, who was known for his speed and reliability. David’s comment shows his trust in Ahimaaz’s character and suggests he expects a favorable report, highlighting the importance of messengers and trustworthiness in ancient times.
The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 18:27
- "watchman" (צֹפֶה, tsopheh): This word refers to someone stationed to keep lookout, emphasizing the careful observation happening in this tense moment.
- "good" (טוֹב, tov): When David calls Ahimaaz a "good man," the Hebrew word often means not just moral goodness but also reliability or trustworthiness, which explains why David expects good news from him.
- "tidings" (בְּשׂוֹרָה, besorah): This word means news or a message, often with the sense of a report that brings relief or joy, which is why David hopes for a positive outcome.
Why 2 Samuel 18:27 matters
- This verse shows how personal reputation and trust played a role in ancient communication—David’s reaction is based on Ahimaaz’s known character, not just his identity.
- The verse builds suspense in the narrative, as both the characters and the reader are waiting to hear the outcome of the battle and the fate of David’s son Absalom.
- It highlights the role of messengers in biblical times, where recognizing someone’s approach could signal the nature of the news before a word was spoken.