Two young men waited anxiously to carry the tidings of victory. The rebellion of Absalom against his father David failed, and Absalom (the king’s son) died on the battlefield. The runners, young men who carried messages from commander to commander, eagerly hoped to be the first to announce the good news to king.

The commander sent one, then the other. The second runner, Ahimaaz, arrived first and announced, Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king. Perhaps fearing the king’s anger, he left out the part about Absalom. The next runner followed seconds later and reported concerning Absalom, May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up against you for evil be like that young man.

Good news and bad news. The insurrection was crushed, but David lost a son whom he loved deeply. One of the many horrible consequences David endured due to his taking of Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah.

But the runners are the story here. They apparently ran twenty to twenty-five miles, over rugged countryside, to report this news to David. They did what they did best—carried an important message to the king.

Our prayers are like those runners. Despite obstacles—lack of faith, falling asleep, doubts and fears—our prayers make their way to the Lord. As David received his runners, so the Lord receives our prayers. Some he sets aside, but he responds to others. Either way, and despite my slackness in prayer, I plan to keep sending those runners before the Lord.

2 Samuel 18:19-33

Photo by Alessio Soggetti