And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.

2 SAMUEL 18:32KJV
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2 Samuel 18:32 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 18:32 mean?

2 Samuel 18:32 shows King David anxiously asking Cushi if his son Absalom is safe, but Cushi answers indirectly, wishing that all of David’s enemies would end up like Absalom. The verse reveals that Absalom is dead, though Cushi avoids saying it directly, likely out of respect for David’s feelings.

David is speaking to Cushi, a messenger who has just arrived from the battlefield. David’s question about Absalom’s safety (“Is the young man Absalom safe?”) comes from his deep concern for his rebellious son, despite Absalom’s actions against him. Cushi’s answer uses careful language, indicating Absalom’s fate without bluntly stating his death, which highlights both the tension of the moment and the sensitivity surrounding the news.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 18:32

  • "safe" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom): This word often means "peace" or "well-being." David is not just asking if Absalom is alive, but if he is unharmed and at peace, showing the depth of his concern.
  • "enemies" (אֹיֵב, oyev): Cushi refers to those who oppose David as "enemies," making it clear that Absalom, by rebelling, is counted among them. This frames Absalom’s fate as a warning or wish regarding all who would rise against the king.
  • "hurt" (רָעָה, ra'ah): This word means "evil" or "harm." Cushi’s response emphasizes that those who seek to harm David will meet the same end as Absalom, underlining the seriousness of rebellion.

Why 2 Samuel 18:32 matters

  • The verse highlights David’s personal struggle between his role as king and his love as a father, making the story more relatable and emotionally complex.
  • Cushi’s indirect answer shows the difficulty of delivering painful news, especially to someone in authority, and reflects the respect and caution used in ancient court settings.
  • Understanding the original words clarifies that David’s question is about Absalom’s total well-being, not just his survival, and that Cushi’s answer is both a report and a subtle warning about the consequences of rebellion.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“Absalom” Hebrew H53 · used in 92 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
  • 2 Samuel 15:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
  • 2 Samuel 17:15 Then said Hushai unto Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, Thus and thus did Ahithophel counsel Absalom and the elders of Israel; and thus and thus have I counselled.