22. Ahimaaz son of Zadok kept at it, begging Joab, “What does it matter? Let me run, too, following the Cushite.”Joab said, “Why all this ‘Run, run’? You’ll get no thanks for it, I can tell you.”
23. “I don’t care; let me run.”“Okay,” said Joab, “run.” So Ahimaaz ran, taking the lower valley road, and passed the Cushite.
24-25. David was sitting between the two gates. The sentry had gone up to the top of the gate on the wall and looked around. He saw a solitary runner. The sentry called down and told the king. The king said, “If he’s alone, it must be good news!”
25-26. As the runner came closer, the sentry saw another runner and called down to the gate, “Another runner all by himself.”And the king said, “This also must be good news.”
27. Then the sentry said, “I can see the first man now; he runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.”“He’s a good man,” said the king. “He’s bringing good news for sure.”
28. Then Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, “Peace!” Then he bowed deeply before the king, his face to the ground. “Blessed be your God; he has handed over the men who rebelled against my master the king.”
29. The king asked, “But is the young man Absalom all right?”Ahimaaz said, “I saw a huge ruckus just as Joab was sending me off, but I don’t know what it was about.”
30. The king said, “Step aside and stand over there.” So he stepped aside.
31. Then the Cushite arrived and said, “Good news, my master and king! God has given victory today over all those who rebelled against you!”
32. “But,” said the king, “is the young man Absalom all right?”And the Cushite replied, “Would that all of the enemies of my master the king and all who maliciously rose against you end up like that young man.”
33. The king was stunned. Heartbroken, he went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he wept he cried out,O my son Absalom, my dear, dear son Absalom!Why not me rather than you, my death and not yours,O Absalom, my dear, dear son!