2 Samuel 18:28-33

English Standard Version

²⁸ Then Ahimaaz cried out to the king, “All is well.” And he bowed before the king with his face to the earth and said, ^(A)“Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king.” ²⁹ And the king said, ^(B)“Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king's servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.” ³⁰ And the king said, “Turn aside and stand here.” So he turned aside and stood still.

David's Grief

³¹ And behold, the Cushite came, and the Cushite said, “Good news for my lord the king! For ^(C)the Lord has delivered you this day from the hand of all who rose up against you.” ³² The king said to the Cushite, ^(D)“Is it well with the young man Absalom?” And the Cushite answered, ^(E)“May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man.” ^33 [a] And the king was deeply moved and went up ^(F)to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, ^(G)“O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”