2 Samuel 18:30
ESV
And the king said, "Turn aside and stand here." So he turned aside and stood still.
NIV
The king said, "Stand aside and wait here." So he stepped aside and stood there.
NASB
Then the king said, 'Turn aside and stand here.' So he turned aside and stood still.
CSB
The king said, "Move aside and stand here." So he stood to one side.
NLT
Wait here,' the king told him. So Ahimaaz stepped aside.
KJV
And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stood still.
NKJV
And the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.
What does 2 Samuel 18:30 mean?
David has just learned that the battle is over. His son's army has fallen to his own, much smaller, force (2 Samuel 18:28). God has been faithful, as David knew He would be (Psalm 3). This news was delivered by Ahimaaz, who pestered Joab until he was allowed to run to tell David about the victory (2 Samuel 18:19–23). But he can't answer David's most pressing question: "Is it well with the young Absalom?" (2 Samuel 18:28–29). Too late, the eager younger man understand the situation and claims that he does not know.The watchman has seen a second runner, so David tells Ahimaaz to stand aside while he waits. The second man, a Cushite, is more forthcoming, but less tactful. When David asks about Absalom, the messenger cheerfully implies that Abaslom is dead. (2 Samuel 18:31–32).
David will collapse in grief (2 Samuel 18:33). This earns him a scolding from Joab, who sees that David's men are hiding in shame rather than celebrating (2 Samuel 19:1–3). He warns David about honoring a traitor more than his loyal subjects; if this continues, David's support will disappear forever (2 Samuel 19:5–7).
