2 Samuel 18:20
ESV
And Joab said to him, "You are not to carry news today. You may carry news another day, but today you shall carry no news, because the king 's son is dead."
NIV
"You are not the one to take the news today," Joab told him. "You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead."
NASB
But Joab said to him, 'You are not the man to bring news this day, but you shall bring news another day; however, you shall bring no news this day, because the king’s son is dead.'
CSB
Joab replied to him, "You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but today you aren’t taking good news, because the king’s son is dead."
NLT
No,' Joab told him, 'it wouldn’t be good news to the king that his son is dead. You can be my messenger another time, but not today.'
KJV
And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.
NKJV
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 king’s son is dead.”
What does 2 Samuel 18:20 mean?
A short time before, Joab was willing to risk the life of a soldier to see Absalom dead (2 Samuel 18:10–13). Whether because he felt chastised by the soldier's integrity or because he likes Ahimaaz, Joab doesn't want the same for the priest's son. Ahimaaz was one of two young men who received intelligence from their fathers about Absalom's plans against David. He and Jonathan ran from Absalom's guards and hid in a well, then hurried to the bank of the Jordan River. When they found David, they delivered the message: Absalom is coming with a great army. The people need to cross the river to safety. Because of their bravery, all of David's servants made it to Mahanaim, where they recovered, regrouped, and prepared for battle (2 Samuel 17:17–22, 27–29).Ahimaaz wants to revisit his role as messenger, but Joab knows this isn't a safe message (2 Samuel 18:19). Joab killed Absalom against David's orders (2 Samuel 18:5, 14). Ahimaaz thinks David will be glad the war is over and relieved his enemy is dead. Joab knows David will be devastated that his son is gone. He might lash out, and a dire messenger could be the natural target.
Joab tells Ahimaaz to stay and sends a Cushite, instead. Ahimaaz insists, and Joab lets him go. Ahimaaz outruns the Cushite, but when he reaches David, he finds he can't say the words. He tells David he doesn't know what's happened to Absalom (2 Samuel 18:21–23, 29).
