The news of Absalom’s death is sent to David and the depth of David’s grief is recorded for us.

And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” 2 Samuel 18:33

The depth of emotion in that one verse is incredible. Zadok’s son, Ahimaaz, wants to tell David about Absalom’s death (vs19) but Joab persuades him otherwise (vs 20). Joab instructs someone else to carry the news (vs 21), but Ahimaaz insists on going (vs 22-23). He believes this is great news in that the nation is saved and he wants to be the bearer of good news and he wants to be seen to be the carrier of that good news.

In one of my previous churches we had a retired lady doctor. One morning she didn’t come to church so I drove over to her house after the meeting. I could see her collapsed on the floor through the window. I called an ambulance and she was taken into hospital. She was diagnosed as having an inoperable brain tumour. I did not know that she had previously requested that if the news was bad, she wanted me to tell her not the hospital. They rang me. I went up to the hospital feeling unqualified and out of my depth. I took her, in her wheelchair, into the grounds of the hospital and gently broke the news to her. Having told her she asked me to reach up to the branch of a tree that was in blossom above our heads, “break a piece off and give it to me” she said. She then handed the small piece of blossom to me and said “thank you”. We sat and cried together on a hospital car park. I did not sign up for this. I signed up for applause after my great exposition on a Sunday or so I thought. Sorry folks for this comment, but my most privileged moments in church leadership have not been in a pulpit but in many situations like that one.

David is eager to hear the news of his son and is struggling with the idea that it might be bad news. He puts a scenario together in his head. One runner means good news but there are two runners. Even then David is struggling to face the truth (vs 24-27).

Ahimaaz is young and enthusiastic but seems to miss the fact that the news being carried is about David’s son not some unknown person.

He wades in with huge insensitivity.

Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, “Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.” 2 Samuel 18:28

It’s all words and rhetoric. It’s pious words meant to impress David but David only wants to know one thing,

And the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.” 2 Samuel 18:29

You see Ahimaaz wanted the glory.  He liked the idea of being in close proximity to the king, but what good is a messenger who will not tell you what you want to know and is deliberately vague? “Well, I saw a great commotion”, what on earth does that mean? You wanted the job, now do the job even though it’s not nice.  David must have been exasperated. He tells Ahimaaz to wait and turns to the other guy for an honest answer.

And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king! For the LORD has delivered you this day from the hand of all who rose up against you.” The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man.” 2 Samuel 18:31-32

Even this reply is not straight, but David gets the picture and is devastated.

To end with another story. Not so long ago a couple in my church told us that they were expecting a baby but the child was anencephalic. They had to make a decision to either abort the baby or to be induced to give birth to the child naturally in the full knowledge that the little one would die very shortly afterwards. The mum was taken into hospital where she gave birth to a little girl but in the process of giving birth she lost a lot of blood. The medical team were struggling to bring this under control and her own life was in danger. I was asked to speak to the husband about the fact that he has lost his daughter and may yet lose his wife. My wife and I went into the hospital room to pray for the very poorly mum and praise God she pulled through. In the process of all this, the dead little baby was dressed and a little hat covered her head and she was given to me to take to her dad who was having to process all that was going on. The little one was less than the size of my hand. She was beautiful and peaceful, but the image remains in my head. So, leaders before you desire the pulpit, and the pulpit can look so glamorous, ask yourselves about the journey you are going to walk through with your sheep and if you are then still called!