When David is waiting for news about the outcome of the civil war that his son Absalom had started, a young man named Ahimaaz wanted to run from the battlefront with the tidings in 2 Samuel 18:19-32. General Joab refuses Ahimaaz because he did not know the details David wanted to hear about Absalom, and so Cushi was sent instead.
In the Biblical narratives, the accounts are always briefer than modern historical renditions, and in some important ways, this story shows what Biblical preaching must strive for.
- 1. As Ahimaaz burned to speak, so preachers must have an inner affection, zeal, and devotion.
Ahimaaz offers himself to Joab to do the job. He is not passive, needing to be persuaded, but like Jeremiah in whom the Word of God burned like a fire (Jer. 20:9). After Cushi is sent instead of Ahimaaz, he practically begs to run as well like Barnabas who continues missionary service after Paul chooses Silas. While running, Ahimaaz catches and passes Cushi like Paul who labored more abundantly than every one else (1 Cor. 15:10).
Godly preaches should have this zeal, and should mourn their lack of devotion and spiritual energy. We ought constantly to pray for ourselves and to be prayed for that we would be strengthened with might by God’s Spirit in our inner men.
- 2. As Ahimaaz brought Good News, so preachers must bring the message of the New Covenant.
While we must preach about sin, there ought to be greater emphasis on the love of a dying Savior, the mercy offered by the Father, and the joy of the Holy Spirit. Heaven is a world of love, and our preaching must so paint that picture that none of our hearers would want to forget it.
“Peace!” burst from Ahimaaz’ lips as he arrived exhausted at David’s feet. Before he rested, the main point was out. “We won. The kingdom is safe.” And what was left unspoken, at least at this point? 20,000 men were lost (18:7). Absalom died (18:15). Joab disobeyed you (18:14). More pointedly, in some ways, this devestation all goes back to David’s sin. And yet, the record does not mention these things.
There is certainly a place for bad news, total depravity, and the Biblical doctrine of eternal torment, and yet men listening to us preach for years ought to honestly say that we are Gospel preachers—Good News preachers.
- 3. As Ahimaaz spoke faithfully, so preachers must be accurate in all their speech.
The enemy has been overcome. They were evil because they attacked king David. All the glory goes to God alone. In these three details, and who knows how much more, Ahimaaz was correct.
Exaggeration and invention often lead to deception and manipulation stemming from pride and selfish ambition. As such pastors should remember Jonathan Edwards’ Resolution, “Resolved, in narrations never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.” Ahimaaz appears to be a good example of faithful retelling which Christian speech and preaching should follow.
- 4. As Ahimaaz focused on the most important message, so preachers should choose to emphasize those truths which require more attention.
He ran without knowing what had happened to Absalom even though he knew what had happened with the war. David cared more about Absalom than all his faithful servants. Where was this weeping for Absalom when he was 2 years old or 10 or 16? But now when the battle has begun, the most important news is what Ahimaaz delivers.
Our hearers may want to know a great many things about prophecy or miracles or some popular thing in culture, but Ahimaaz’ example urges us to select carefully the doctrines to bring up in public teaching. Our lives force us to think about many earthly matters, and our time for reflection on eternal things is already to small, so preachers should exercise discernment and set the greatest matters before the eyes and ears of the believers.
Thanks for these observations. I especially loved the fourth point, how our world is so quickly distracted by the less important and misleading details, whereas the best preachers stick to the most important message.