2 Samuel 18:21-32

21Then Joab said to the Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” So the Cushite bowed to Joab and ran. 22However, Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said once more to Joab, “But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.” And Joab said, “Why would you run, my son, since 1you will have no messenger’s reward for going?” 23“But whatever happens,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed by the Cushite.

24Now 2David was sitting between the two gates; and 3the watchman went to the roof of the gate by the wall, and raised his eyes and looked; and behold, a man was running by himself. 25So the watchman called out and told the king. And the king said, “If he is by himself there is good news in his mouth.” And he came nearer and nearer. 26Then the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called to the gatekeeper and said, “Behold, another man is running by himself.” And the king said, “This one also is bringing good news.” 27The watchman said, “I 4think the running form of the first one 5is like the running form of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “6This is a good man, and he is coming with good news.”

28Then Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, “7All is well.” And 8he prostrated himself before the king with his face to the ground. And he said, “9Blessed is the Lord your God, who has turned over the men who raised their hands against my lord the king.” 29But the king said, “10Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, and your servant, I saw a great commotion, but 11I did not know what it was.” 30Then the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.

31Then behold, the Cushite arrived, and the Cushite said, “Let my lord the king receive good news, for 12the Lord has 13freed you this day from the hand of all those who rose up against you.” 32Then the king said to the Cushite, “14Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, “15May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be like that young man!”