25. He called out and told the king.The king said, “If he’s alone, he bears good news.”As the first runner came closer,
26. the watchman saw another man running. He called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone! ”“This one is also bringing good news,” said the king.
27. The watchman said, “The way the first man runs looks to me like the way Ahimaaz son of Zadok runs.” “This is a good man; he comes with good news,” the king commented.
28. Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well,” and then bowed down to the king with his face to the ground. He continued, “May the Lord your God be praised! He delivered up the men who rebelled against my lord the king.”
29. The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right? ”Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a big disturbance, but I don’t know what it was.”
30. The king said, “Move aside and stand here.” So he stood to one side.
31. Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: today the Lord has delivered you from all those rising up against you! ”
32. The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom all right? ”The Cushite replied, “May what has become of the young man happen to the enemies of my lord the king and to all who rise up against you with evil intent.”
33. The king was deeply moved and went up to the gate chamber and wept. As he walked, he cried, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son! ”