Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab,.... He could not be easy, even though a messenger was dispatched, but pressed Joab still:

but howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi; only permit me to go after him, though not as a messenger:

and Joab said, wherefore wilt thou run, my son? having a great affection for him, and concerned that he should take trouble on him to no purpose:

seeing thou hast no tidings ready; no news to carry, but what Cushi is gone with, and so can have no audience of the king, nor any reward from him.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

2 Samuel 18:22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?

Ver. 22. But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run.] For he resolved to be first there, and to report the best only, and let Cushi tell the worst of the news. It is discretion to put off the relation of ill news to others, where we are not urged by necessity.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

My son; so he calls him with respect both to his younger years, and to that true and tender affection which he had for him.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

22.Wherefore wilt thou run — According to Josephus, Joab opposed Ahimaaz in his desire to bear the tidings to the king, because he had always before borne good news, and now he knew that it would greatly offend and afflict David to inform him of the death of his son.

My son — An address of affectionate tenderness. Compare Joshua 7:19.

Thou hast no tidings ready — No good tidings, such as thou art wont to bear and receive a reward for. Furst renders: And the tidings are not profitable unto thee; that is, will not obtain for thee a reward. Perhaps his greatest desire in bearing the tidings was to obtain a reward.

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments

2 Samuel 18:22. Wherefore wilt thou run, my son? — So he terms him, both with respect to his younger years, and to that true and tender affection which he had for him. Seeing thou hast no tidings ready — Art not acquainted with the particulars of the fight, of which I have not time to inform thee.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Tidings. People of reputation did not wish to perform this office, 3 Kings ii. 42. Hebrew, "these tidings will bring thee nothing;" or, "do not suit thee." (Calmet) --- Protestants, "seeing thou hast no tidings ready?" (Haydock)

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?

No JFB commentary on this verse.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(22) No tidings ready.—The phrase is a difficult one, and is translated by the LXX. “no tidings leading to profit,” and by the Vulg. “thou wilt not be a bearer of good tidings.” The simplest and most probable sense is “no tidings sufficient” for a special messenger; the Cushite had already carried the news.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

howsoever

Heb. be what may. ready. or, convenient.

Romans 1:28; Ephesians 5:4