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Read the Bible

Contemporary English Version

2 Samuel 18:23

"I'll run no matter what!" Ahimaaz insisted. "All right then, run!" Joab said. Ahimaaz took the road through the Jordan Valley and outran the Ethiopian.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Ahimaaz;   Cushi;   Readings, Select;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ahimaaz;   Posts;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Gospel;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Plain;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Cushi;   Forest;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ahimaaz;   Cushite;   David;   Overrun;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Abishai;   Ahimaaz;   David;   Samuel, Books of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Joram;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ahimaaz ;   Cushi ;   Zadok ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Absalom;   Ahimaaz;   David;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Ahim'a-Az;   Cu'shi;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Cities of the Plain;   Cushi;   Cushite;   Games;   How;   Mahanaim;   Plain;   Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia - Ahimaaz;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Kikkar;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
“No matter what, I want to run!”
Hebrew Names Version
But come what may, [said he], I will run. He said to him, Run. Then Achima`atz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Kushite.
King James Version
But howsoever, said he, let me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.
Lexham English Bible
"Come what may, I want to run." He said to him, "Run," so Ahimaaz ran on the road on the plain, and he passed the Cushite.
English Standard Version
"Come what may," he said, "I will run." So he said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.
New Century Version
Ahimaaz answered, "No matter what happens, I will run." So Joab said to Ahimaaz, "Run!" Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the Jordan Valley and passed the Cushite.
New English Translation
But he said, "Whatever happens, I want to go!" So Joab said to him, "Then go!" So Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Jordan plain, and he passed the Cushite.
Amplified Bible
"But whatever happens, Let me run." So Joab said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain [of the Jordan River] and outran the Cushite.
New American Standard Bible
"But whatever happens," he said, "I will run." So he said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed by the Cushite.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Yet what if I runne? Then he saide vnto him, Runne. So Ahimaaz ranne by the way of the plaine, and ouerwent Cushi.
Legacy Standard Bible
"But whatever happens," he said, "I will run." So he said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed the Cushite.
Complete Jewish Bible
"I don't care — whatever happens, I want to run." So he said to him, "Run." Then Achima‘atz ran by the road through the desert flats and outran the Ethiopian.
Darby Translation
—But, come what may, let me run. And he said to him, Run. And Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outstripped the Cushite.
Easy-to-Read Version
Ahimaaz answered, "No matter what happens, I will run to David." Joab said to Ahimaaz, "All right, run to David!" Then Ahimaaz ran through Jordan Valley and passed the Ethiopian.
George Lamsa Translation
He said to him, What is the difference? Let me run. And he said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and passed Cushi.
Good News Translation
"Whatever happens," Ahimaaz said again, "I want to go." "Then go," Joab said. So Ahimaaz ran off down the road through the Jordan Valley, and soon he passed the slave.
Literal Translation
And he said, Yet whatever it may be, let me run. And he said to him, Run. And Ahimaaz ran the way of the circuit and passed by the Cushite.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
He saide vnto him: Renne on yi waye then. So Ahimaas ranne the straight waye, and came before Chusi.
American Standard Version
But come what may, said he, I will run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.
Bible in Basic English
Whatever may come of it, he said, I will go. Then he said to him, Go. So Ahimaaz went running by the lowland road and overtook the Cushite.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Yet what if I runne? He said vnto him: Runne. Then Ahimaaz ranne by the way of the playne, & came before Chusi.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
'But come what may, [said he,] I will run.' And he said unto him: 'Run.' Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and overran the Cushite.
King James Version (1611)
But howsoeuer, (said he) let mee runne: And hee said vnto him, Runne. Then Ahimaaz ranne by the way of the plaine, and ouerranne Cushi.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And he said, Why should I not run? and Joab said to him, Run. And Achimaas ran along the way of Kechar, and outran Chusi.
English Revised Version
But come what may, [said he], I will run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and overran the Cushite.
Berean Standard Bible
"No matter what, I want to run!" he replied. "Then run!" Joab told him. So Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and outran the Cushite.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Which answeride, `What sotheli if Y schal renne? And Joab seide to hym, Renn thou. Therfor Achymaas ran bi the weie of schortnesse, `and sped, and passide Chusi.
Young's Literal Translation
`And, whatever it be, [said he,] let me run.' And he saith to him, `Run;' and Ahimaaz runneth the way of the circuit, and passeth by the Cushite.
Update Bible Version
But come what may, [he said], I will run. And he said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.
Webster's Bible Translation
But however, [said he], let me run. And he said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran Cushi.
World English Bible
But come what may, [said he], I will run. He said to him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.
New King James Version
"But whatever happens," he said, "let me run." So he said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.
New Living Translation
"Yes, but let me go anyway," he begged. Joab finally said, "All right, go ahead." So Ahimaaz took the less demanding route by way of the plain and ran to Mahanaim ahead of the Ethiopian.
New Life Bible
But Ahimaaz said, "Whatever happens, I will run." So Joab said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed the Cushite.
New Revised Standard
"Come what may," he said, "I will run." So he said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Plain, and outran the Cushite.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, be what may, I will run. So he said to him - Run. Then ran Ahimaaz by the way of the plain, and got beyond the Cushite.
Douay-Rheims Bible
He answered: But what if I run? And he said to him: Run. Then Achimaas running by a nearer way passed Chusai.
Revised Standard Version
"Come what may," he said, "I will run." So he said to him, "Run." Then Ahi'ma-az ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite.
THE MESSAGE
"I don't care; let me run." "Okay," said Joab, "run." So Ahimaaz ran, taking the lower valley road, and passed the Cushite.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"But whatever happens," he said, "I will run." So he said to him, "Run." Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain and passed up the Cushite.

Contextual Overview

19 Ahimaaz the son of Zadok said, "Joab, let me run and tell King David that the Lord has rescued him from his enemies." 20 Joab answered, "You're not the one to tell the king that his son is dead. You can take him a message some other time, but not today." 21 Someone from Ethiopia was standing there, and Joab told him, "Go and tell the king what you have seen." The man knelt down in front of Joab and then got up and started running. 22 Ahimaaz spoke to Joab again, "No matter what happens, I still want to run. And besides, the Ethiopian has already left." Joab said, "Why should you run? You won't get a reward for the news you have!" 23 "I'll run no matter what!" Ahimaaz insisted. "All right then, run!" Joab said. Ahimaaz took the road through the Jordan Valley and outran the Ethiopian. 24 Meanwhile, David was sitting between the inner and outer gates in the city wall. One of his soldiers was watching from the roof of the gate-tower. He saw a man running toward the town 25 and shouted down to tell David. David answered, "If he's alone, he must have some news." The runner was getting closer, 26 when the soldier saw someone else running. He shouted down to the gate, "Look! There's another runner!" David said, "He must have some news too." 27 The soldier on the roof shouted, "The first one runs just like Ahimaaz the son of Zadok." This time David said, "He's a good man. He must have some good news." 28 Ahimaaz called out, "We won! We won!" Then he bowed low to David and said, "Your Majesty, praise the Lord your God! He has given you victory over your enemies."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

overran Cushi: John 20:4

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 18:19 - Ahimaaz 1 Kings 11:22 - let me go 2 Kings 2:17 - they urged

Cross-References

Genesis 18:4
I'll have some water brought, so you can wash your feet, then you can rest under the tree.
Genesis 18:5
Let me get you some food to give you strength before you leave. I would be honored to serve you." "Thank you very much," they answered. "We accept your offer."
Genesis 18:6
Abraham quickly went to his tent and said to Sarah, "Hurry! Get a large sack of flour and make some bread."
Genesis 18:7
After saying this, he rushed off to his herd of cattle and picked out one of the best calves, which his servant quickly prepared.
Genesis 18:25
You surely wouldn't let them be killed when you destroy the evil ones. You are the judge of all the earth, and you do what is right."
Genesis 20:4
Abimelech said to the Lord, "Don't kill me! I haven't slept with Sarah. Didn't they say they were brother and sister? I am completely innocent."
2 Samuel 24:17
David saw the angel killing everyone and told the Lord , "These people are like sheep with me as their shepherd. I have sinned terribly, but they have done nothing wrong. Please, punish me and my family instead of them!"
Job 8:3
Does God All-Powerful stand in the way of justice?
Job 34:17
The mighty God is the one who brings about justice, and you are condemning him.
Psalms 73:28
It is good for me to be near you. I choose you as my protector, and I will tell about your wonderful deeds.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But howsoever ([said he]) let me run,.... Be it as it may, I beg I may have leave; and being so very importunate, it was granted:

and he said unto him, run; since he would take no denial:

then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi; who ran by the way of the mountains; which though the shorter way, that through the plain was easiest, and soonest run, though the longest.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The plain - The floor of the valley through which the Jordan runs. The Cushite did not run by that road, but took the road over the hills, which may well have been the shorter but also the more difficult road. The two roads would probably meet a short distance from Mahanaim. These words, which have been thought to prove that the battle took place on the west of Jordan, are a clear proof that it took place on the east, because if the runners had had to cross the Jordan, they must both have come by the same road, which it is clear they did not.


 
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