2 Samuel 18:32
ESV
The king said to the Cushite, "Is it well with the young man Absalom?" And the Cushite answered, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man."
NIV
The king asked the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom safe?" The Cushite replied, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man."
NASB
Then the king said to the Cushite, 'Is it well with the young man Absalom?' And the Cushite answered, 'May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against you for evil, be like that young man!'
CSB
The king asked the Cushite, "Is the young man Absalom all right?" The Cushite replied, "I wish that the enemies of my lord the king, along with all who rise up against you with evil intent, would become like that young man."
NLT
What about young Absalom?' the king demanded. 'Is he all right?' And the Ethiopian replied, 'May all of your enemies, my lord the king, both now and in the future, share the fate of that young man!'
KJV
And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.
NKJV
And the king said to the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” So the Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise against you to do harm, be like that young man!”
What does 2 Samuel 18:32 mean?
David three divisions of his army this morning with strict instructions: treat Absalom with gentleness (2 Samuel 18:5). He waited all day at the gates of Mahanaim for news. Ahimaaz arrived first. He reported that God had rescued David but lied saying he knew nothing about Absalom (2 Samuel 18:28–29). Now a Cushite messenger has arrived. The Cushite starts with the same news: the Lord has delivered David (2 Samuel 18:33). This time when David asks about Absalom, the runner answers.The poor Cushite is just a messenger. He has no idea of David's true feelings. So he answers by wishing for anyone who defies David to suffer the same fate (2 Samuel 18:32). The implication is clear: Absalom is dead. David sinks into despair. He cared less about the crown—or even his own life—than he did for the life of his traitorous son. He climbs to a room over the gate and falls apart (2 Samuel 18:33).
Joab will arrive to see his king sobbing and victorious soldiers acting like they are ashamed. He will scold David out of this disrespectful display so the work of restoring the nation can begin (2 Samuel 19:1–8).
