2 Samuel 18:24
ESV
Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate by the wall, and when he lifted up his eyes and looked, he saw a man running alone.
NIV
While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone.
NASB
Now David was sitting between the two gates; and the watchman went to the roof of the gate by the wall, and raised his eyes and looked; and behold, a man was running by himself.
CSB
David was sitting between the city gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the city gate and over to the wall. The watchman looked out and saw a man running alone.
NLT
While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates of the town, the watchman climbed to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked, he saw a lone man running toward them.
KJV
And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.
NKJV
Now David was sitting between the two gates. And the watchman went up to the roof over the gate, to the wall, lifted his eyes and looked, and there was a man, running alone.
What does 2 Samuel 18:24 mean?
When David learned his son Absalom was marching on Jerusalem with a phalanx of supporters, the king had very little time to prepare. He gathered his family, servants, and soldiers and fled the city for the Jordan River. There, he waited for news. He had left spies in Jerusalem to bring him word of Absalom's plan so he could decide what to do. Finally, the messengers appeared. They gave him the worst news possible: Absalom was coming with an army (2 Samuel 15:13–14, 18; 17:15–22).By morning, David had gotten his people across the Jordan. They continued east and found shelter and comfort in Mahanaim (2 Samuel 17:22, 27–29). Absalom and his army soon followed. David divided his fighting men into three units and announced he was coming with them. His generals refused. They fought to keep David alive and on the throne. They would not take him into battle. As they left, he called out, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom" (2 Samuel 18:1–5).
To David, news that Absalom wants him dead would be better than news that Absalom has died. While the battle rages in the forest of Ephraim and thousands die, David is only worried about one man: the enemy who also happens to be his son (2 Samuel 18:6–8).
David is waiting at the gates of Mahanaim for news. Ahimaaz, one of the messengers who met him at the Jordan, is running toward him again. He brings the news that David doesn't want to hear, that Absalom is dead, killed by David's general Joab. But when Ahimaaz reaches David, he doesn't have the heart to tell him the truth (2 Samuel 18:28–29).
