expect good news, Joab sends a Cushite (Ethiopian/Nubian) slave to deliver the bittersweet battle report (18:19–21). Ahimaaz takes the longer but easier Jordan Valley route to Mahanaim and arrives first, but he holds his tongue concerning Absalom (18:22–30). David’s hopeful anticipation turns to bitterest grief when he learns of his son’s death (18:31–33). The king is paralyzed by Absalom’s death, thus demoralizing David’s faithful troops, who have just won a most important battle in restoring him