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.Alas, how vain are some men to attract the note of futuregenerations, who are at no pains to seek the approbation of God.But even indeath Absalom was thwarted: "a great heap of stones as a monument to hisvillainy was all that marked his resting-place."Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bear the king tidings,how that the Lord hath avenged him of his enemies" (v.19).Ahimaaz was the sonof Zadok the priest (2 Sam.15:27), who was deeply devoted to David.He was oneof the two men who had endangered their lives in the king’s service by bringinghim tidings of Absalom’s plans (17:17-21).That he was a godly soul isintimated by the language which he used on this occasion, for instead offlattering Joab, by congratulating him for his bringing the conflict to atriumphant issue, he ascribes the success to the Lord.How often God isforgotten in the flush of victory, and instead of exclaiming "His right hand,and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory" (Ps.98:1), proud man attributesthe defeating of his enemies to his own strength, vigilance or skill.In suchan hour it is for the servant of God to lift up his voice and make known thetruth that the glory belongs to God alone."And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shaltbear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because theking’s sons is dead" (v.20).In the light of what follows it is not easy todetermine what it was that influenced Joab to refuse the request of Ahimaaz,for immediately afterward he bids another man go and tell the king what he hadseen, and when Ahimaaz renewed his request, after a slight demur Joab grantedit.It is possible that Joab feared for the life of Ahimaaz and considered hewas too valuable a man to he thrown away, for the name of the selectedmessenger ("Cushi") suggested that he was an Ethiopian—probably an Africanslave.Joab knew that David was an impulsive and quick-tempered man, andremembered the fate which overtook the one who bore to him the tidings ofSaul’s death (2 Sam.1:15), and therefore he probably thought that a similarvengeance might be visited upon the one who should inform him of Absalom’sdeath."Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab.But howsoever, let me, Ipray thee, also run after Cushi.And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, myson, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?" (v.22).The marginal renderingsof this verse seem to decidedly confirm what we have just said above.The wordsof Ahimaaz "But howsoever" are literally "be what may": Whatever be the risk ofincurring the king’s fury, I am quite willing to face it.Joab’s "Whereforewilt thou, my son," indicates that he held Ahimaaz in some esteem, and his"thou hast no tidings ready" is really "no tidings convenient," which intimateshe sought to discourage him from being the bearer of news which would be sounwelcomed to David.And why, it may be asked, was Ahimaaz anxious to serve asmessenger on this fateful occasion? We believe it was because he was so devotedto the king that he wished, so far as possible, to tactfully lighten the blow.This he did, for instead of bluntly blurting out that Absalom had been slain hesimply said, "Blessed be the Lord thy God, which hath delivered up the men thatlifted up their hand against my lord the King" (v.28)
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