2 Samuel 18:22
ESV
Then Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, "Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite." And Joab said, "Why will you run, my son, seeing that you will have no reward for the news?"
NIV
Ahimaaz son of Zadok again said to Joab, "Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite." But Joab replied, "My son, why do you want to go? You don’t have any news that will bring you a reward."
NASB
However, 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 you will have no messenger’s reward for going?'
CSB
However, Ahimaaz son of Zadok persisted and said to Joab, "No matter what, please let me also run behind the Cushite!" Joab replied, "My son, why do you want to run since you won’t get a reward?"
NLT
But Ahimaaz continued to plead with Joab, 'Whatever happens, please let me go, too.' 'Why should you go, my son?' Joab replied. 'There will be no reward for your news.'
KJV
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?
NKJV
And Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said again to Joab, “But whatever happens, please let me also run after the Cushite.” So Joab said, “Why will you run, my son, since you have no news ready?”
What does 2 Samuel 18:22 mean?
A career soldier, Joab has fought for David, his uncle, for decades. Part of his faithfulness is loyalty. But part, it seems, is because of the spoils.Undoubtedly, Joab was there when David attacked the Amalekites and took their plunder (1 Samuel 30:16–20). When Joab finally conquered Rabbah, he took great restraint and invited David to deliver the final blow before Joab claimed the city for himself (2 Samuel 12:26–31). The captured goods taken from the city were considerable.
When Joab met a soldier who had refused to kill Absalom, his mind was again on money. Absalom told him that if he'd killed the traitor, he would have given the soldier a lifetime's pay and a warrior's belt. The soldier pointed out it wouldn't have mattered much if David executed him for killing the prince (2 Samuel 18:9–13).
Frustrated, Joab killed Absalom, himself (2 Samuel 18:14). Now, he must let David know. Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok the priest, has offered to deliver the news (2 Samuel 18:19). However, the soldier was right: David had commanded the army to not kill Absalom. For the soldier, David's word was enough. Joab killed Absalom because it was the right choice politically and strategically. But Joab can't understand why Ahimaaz would want to deliver news that David will hate if Ahimaaz won't even get paid.
Likely, however, Joab is thinking about more than money. He may be thinking of the Amalekite who claimed to have killed Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:1–10). David didn't reward him; he had the man executed for killing God's anointed king (2 Samuel 1:14–16). If Ahimaaz misspeaks while David rages with grief, the messenger may be in danger.
Joab has already sent another runner, a Cushite. But Ahimaaz presses. Finally, Joab lets him go (2 Samuel 18:23). But when Ahimaaz sees David's face, he realizes he can't do it. He can't tell the king that his son is dead (2 Samuel 18:29).
