Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - 2 Samuel 18:19 - 18:19
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
David is informed of the victory, and of the death of Absalom. - 2Sa 18:19, 2Sa 18:20. Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, wanted to carry the news to David, that Jehovah had “procured the king justice out of the hand of his enemies” (שָׁפַט with מִן is a pregnant expression signifying to procure justice and deliver out of); but Joab, knowing how David would receive the tidings of the death of Absalom, replied, “Thou art no man of good tidings to-day; thou shalt take the news on another day, not on this, even because (עַל־כֵּן כִּי, see at Gen 18:5) the king's son is dead.” The Keri עַל־כֵּן כִּי is to be preferred to the Chethib כִּי־עַל; and כֵּן has no doubt been dropt out merely because of בֶּן which follows. The Chethib does not give any suitable sense; for the absence of the article before מֵת is decisive against the explanation proposed by Maurer, viz., “for (tidings have to be carried) concerning the king's son dead.” If מֵת were to be construed as an adverb with בֶּן־מֶלֶךְ, it would of necessity have the article.