HE DID NOT KNOW WHAT HE SAW -- Monday:
"And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was." (2 Samuel 18:29)
According to the word of the Lord, trouble had arisen in David's own house. Because of his sin against Uriah, the Lord had promised, "the sword shall never depart from thine house" (2 Sam 12:10). Now his own son, Absalom, had fomented an insurrection against David, seeking to seize the throne from him (2 Sam 17). The conflict grew sharp, and the time came when Absalom's insurrection had to be overthrown. Out of his great love for his wayward son, David strictly charged Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom." All of the people heard his charge, and were aware of his deep desire.
In the fierceness of the battle, Absalom met the servants of David. He was riding on a mule, we are told. As the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak tree, "his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule was under him went away." His thick hair was his undoing. Report came to Joab that Absalom was seen hanging in an oak tree. Joab chided the reporter saying, "You just saw him! And why did you not strike him there to the ground?" The servant replied he knew David had publicly said, "Beware lest anyone touch the young man Absalom!" Unable to restrain himself, Joab took three spears and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive (18:1-17). The men then took Absalom down, threw him in a pit, and covered it with stones.
Immediately Ahimaaz asked Joab for permission to "take news to the king, how the Lord had avenged him on his enemies." Knowing the young man did not really know what had happened, Joab told him, "You shall not take the news this day, for you shall take the news another day." Cushi, a more reliable messenger, was told "Go, tell the king what you have seen." Ahimaaz pled to run to the king with Cushi. Job told him he had no message, so should not go. However, he finally consented to let him go. We are told he took the way of the plain, and outran Cushi (18:18-23).
Soon a watchmen with David spotted the runners, and was even able to identify Ahimaaz by the way he ran. David said, "He is a good man, and comes with good news." When the man arrived, he was a brought to David. Quickly he told the king the men who had raised their hand against David had been destroyed. But, when David asked about Absalom's safety Ahimaaz said, "I saw a great tumult, but I did not know what it was about."
Many a messenger pretending to come from God is much like Ahimaaz. They have seen something, but do not know what it is. They do not realize the significance of what they have seen, and thus can provide no insight. Such men must not be allowed to run. They must tarry, giving way for those who have something to say. If such restrictions were placed upon preachers and teachers, I suppose there would be a great thinning of the ranks. And, thus should it be.
PRAYER POINT: Father, grant me grace in Jesus name to understand the truth to which I am exposed.