Ahimaaz

Can finally tell this one. During Absalom’s revolt, Jonathan, Abiathar’s son, and I got Hushai’s message out of Jerusalem to the king. A boy spotted us and told Absalom, so his men were after us. A woman in Bahurim hid us down her well, spread a cover over it and scattered grain on top. Told them we’d gone over the stream. We told the king to cross the Jordan that night.

Begged Joab to let me run the news to the king. Not today, he said, the king’s son is dead. Sent a Cushite instead. I kept asking. Finally: run. Took the road across the plain and overtook him.

Shouted that everything’s fine! Then he asked if the young man Absalom was all right. I said I saw a big commotion but didn’t know what it was.