2 Samuel 18: 27 “So the watchman said, ‘I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.’”
Dear God,
I give thanks for the lovely sunny weather, after the gloom attached to the rain; albeit very welcome precipitation. All seems better with me and the world, when the light is bright. Therefore I draw the analogy that it is much better to live in the light of Your love and care, than to be abandoned to the grey uncertainty of the dislike and hate that the devil likes to send our way through his evil angels and people agents.
Even though bad things happen to good people, it is Your love, promises and tangible gifts of enabling, that allow me (us) to keep going with forbearance and hope, in the situations of pleasant, traumatic, horrible and everything in between.
As the result of his adultery and murder, King David was told by Your prophet that trouble in his house hold would never stop in his life time. This is illustrated in 2 Samuel 18 in the account of the war against King David, when his son Absolom decided to replace his father on the throne. King David had given the order to his military leaders V 5, “……’Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absolom.’” Joab the army commander knew in a military sense that such an action would not bring the best outcome for his king. When the opportunity presented itself, he ran 3 arrows through the heart of Absolom, and the rest of his army deserted.
It was now necessary for king David to be notified that his army had been victorious. Normally the swiftest runner would be dispatched with the news, V 20 “And Joab said to him, ‘You shall not take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day. But today you shall take no news, because the kings’ son is dead.’” Instead of a man from Judea, a Cushite man was told V 21 “…..Go tell the king what you have seen.’”
I wonder why Ahimaaz was so set on running still, when as his commander Joab said, “…. Why will you run, my son, since you have no news ready?” Was it his pride, was it for the joy of running, did he need to prove he was the fastest, did he want to receive notoriety or honour from his king and men from the army? Otherwise it seems somewhat pointless, because the Cushite had been commissioned to deliver the news that mattered and he would have nothing of worth to deliver. Twice in affect he said “But whatever happens let me run.” Joab then said, V 23 “……..’Run’ Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.”
How often am I like Ahimaaz when I must go, even though common sense or others may say ‘leave well alone’. Have I prayed about whether there is a purpose in going or getting their first? When I get there, I may not be the best person for what I have decided to do, or I at this time do not have an appropriate message at all or because of who I am there may be better people to deliver the message in the circumstances or for this person?
And so it proved to be for Ahimaaz when he delivered a message that ‘all was well’ and that the king had been delivered from the ‘men who raised their hand against my lord the king!’ That was not the message the king wanted to hear, for he asked, ‘Is the young man Absolom safe?’ When Ahimaaz could not give a definitive answer, the king said, V 30 ‘Turn aside and stand here.’……” It was then for the commissioned Cushite to give the truth to the king about his son.
Dear God, please keep me from rushing off heedless, not to be deterred from my idea, despite when a wise person or someone in authority has suggested not me, not now or not at all. Also please constrain me from rushing off with gossip to someone, when I have come into knowledge about them (or anyone) or report any ‘bad mouthing’ by another that I have heard.
Amen