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Ahimaaz from Scripture, How Would You Define Him? If You Said You Did Not Know Anything About Him, That Would Not Be Surprising

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Ahimaaz from Scripture, How Would You Define Him? If You Said You Did Not Know Anything About Him, That Would Not Be Surprising Be Known for Something 2 Samuel 18: 19-30 INTRODUCTION: The title of this message (Be Known for Something) is the title of a book I am reading that was written by Mark McDonald. Its focus is to help church evaluate what they are known for and to change the story so they are known for the right things. The book’s title is a good statement for us to consider personally as we come to the close of 2017 and begin our 2018 journey. We all need to ask ourselves “What am I known for?” and “Is that what I want to be know for?” If I were to ask you to identify Ahimaaz from Scripture, how would you define him? If you said you did not know anything about him, that would not be surprising. Only a few short sentences give us information about him. In most cases, he would not be considered a major character in the Bible. A brief visit to 2 Samuel 18 will unveil one dramatic scene from Ahimaaz’s life. It comes at the close of a battle between the armies of King David and his son, Absalom. David’s army wins the battle, but his son (Absalom) is killed. Joab, one of the three commanders of David’s forces (2 Sam. 18: 2), is taking the steps to send the message to King David at Mahanaim. He chooses an unknown Cushite (Ethiopian) but also lets Ahimaaz run as well. 2 Samuel 18: 19-30 CSB 19 Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the Lord has vindicated him by freeing him from his enemies.” 20 Joab replied to him, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but today you aren’t taking good news, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Joab then said to a Cushite, “Go tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running. 22 However, Ahimaaz son of Zadok persisted and said to Joab, “No matter what, please let me also run behind the Cushite!” Joab replied, “My son, why do you want to run since you won’t get a reward?” 23 “No matter what, I want to run!” “Then run!” Joab said to him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite. 24 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. 25 He called out and told the king. The king said, “If he’s alone, he bears good news.” As the first runner came closer, 26 the watchman saw another man running. He called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone!” “This one is also bringing good news,” said the king. 27 The watchman said, “The way the first man runs looks to me like the way Ahimaaz son of Zadok runs.” “This is a good man; he comes with good news,” the king commented. 28 Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well,” and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground. He continued, “Blessed be the Lord your God! He delivered up the men who rebelled against my lord the king.” 29 The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a big disturbance, but I don’t know what it was.” 30 The king said, “Move aside and stand here.” So he stood to one side. 31 Just then the Cushite came and said, “May my lord the king hear the good news: The Lord has vindicated you today by freeing you from all who rise against you!” 32 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.” 33 The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber above the city gate and wept. As he walked, he cried, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!” THREE STORY LINES IN THIS PASSAGE • The victory of David’s army • Death of Absalom, King David’s son (A good news, bad news situation) • Ahimaaz’s role in the scene AHIMAAZ: A QUICK REVIEW OF HIS STORY • Like many, he had nothing to say. His present life had no real mission and did not speak anything of value to those around him • A lot of activity with very little impact I. AHIMAAZ: RUNNING WITH THE NEWS A. We know seven things about Ahimaaz: 1. He was the son of Zadok the High Priest. He has solid spiritual roots. 2. He was a good man. This is revealed in verse 27: The watchman said, “The way the first man runs looks to me like the way Ahimaaz son of Zadok runs.” “This is a good man; he comes with good news,” the king commented. (emphasis added) 3. He was passionate! He would not take “no” for an answer. 4. Strategic – He knew the best route to get to the king. 5. Fast – He outran the real messenger. 6. He was loyal to David. His love for his king prevented him from telling the bad news of the death of Absalom. 7. He is a liar (He fails to tell David the truth – like some preachers) - Joab had told Ahimaaz that Absalom was dead (v. 20) but Ahimaaz failed to tell the whole truth (v. 29). B. The question for us as we view this scene is: What am I “running” for and what is my life message? C. This brings us to the statement of the day (Point II). II. BE KNOWN FOR SOMETHING A. We are all known for something (From Mark MacDonald’s book Be Known for Something) “We’re all known for something.” MacDonald, Mark. Be Known for Something: Reconnect with Community by Revitalizing Your Church's Reputation (Kindle Locations 955-956). High Bridge Books. Kindle Edition. B. Ahimaaz is known as the guy who was passionate, a strategic runner, and fast. But, he is also known for the man who delivered only a partial message. He spares David the truth and delivers only a positive message (vv. 28-29). Why did he only deliver part of the message? Scholars (and commentators) have suggested a number of possibilities. Among them are these: 1. His love for David kept him from delivering the news that his son was dead. 2. He was fearful that he would lose his life. 3. He wanted to be appreciated and honored (It was customary in those days for the king to reward the bearer of good news – and to kill those who brought bad news). 2 Samuel 18: 28-29 CSB 28 Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well,” and paid homage to the king with his face to the ground. He continued, “Blessed be the Lord your God! He delivered up the men who rebelled against my lord the king.” 29 The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a big disturbance, but I don’t know what it was.” (emphasis added) NOTE: The “all is well” English phrase is translated from one Hebrew word. It is probably the most well-known Hebrew word. It is shalom (peace, health, prosperity, favor). The truth is, all is not well. The truth is that David has won a battle but lost a son. C. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of discovering God’s purpose for our lives. D. People in Scripture who reflect that discovery: 1. Abraham (Genesis 12: 1-3) 2. Moses (Exodus 3: 7-10) Exodus 3: 7-10 CSB 7 Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the territory of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 9 So because the Israelites’ cry for help has come to me, and I have also seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them, 10 therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” (emphasis added) 3. Nehemiah (Overwhelmed with the conditions in Jerusalem, he followed God’s purpose for his life and led the rebuilding) 4. Esther – “for such a time as this” (Esther 4: 14) Esther 4: 14 CSB 14 If you keep quiet now, help and freedom for the Jews will come from another place. But you and your father’s family will all die. And who knows, maybe you have been chosen to be the queen for such a time as this.” (emphasis added) 5. John the Baptist – Served as the forerunner of Christ for a brief period of time and then was imprisoned and beheaded for living out his mission. Believers must recognize that we live out God’s mission in our lives and then go to our reward in Heaven.
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