Four types of characters to examine:

1A.  First, THERE IS THAT CHARACTER WHO IS MUCH LIKE AHIMAAZ

This is the contemporary preacher who likes to run without tidings.  He occupies a church office, prepares and delivers what some people call sermons, but has the same effect on his listeners that Ahimaaz had on David.

2A.  Second, THERE IS THAT CHARACTER LIKE CUSHI

While there are a great many Ahimaaz-type preachers in the world, there are very few Cushi-type preachers.  The Cushi preacher is the preacher who runs with tidings, who carries the complete message, who tells the whole truth, who deals with the unpleasant but necessary realities that not all so-called Christians are converted and not all sinners who know they are lost really want to be converted.

3A.  Third, THERE IS THAT CHARACTER LIKE DAVID

You’re like David.  There’s been a war and the battle’s been won, but you’re unhappy about some of the details.  David was unhappy that Absalom was killed.  But what was the alternative?  Had Absalom not been killed David would have been killed.

4A.  Finally, THERE IS THAT CHARACTER LIKE JOAB

I hope David thanked God for Joab, since without Joab he would have continued in grievous error by mourning Absalom, and perhaps losing his kingdom even after he had won the civil war.  Why was David indebted to Joab?  Joab had the courage to strongly rebuke David when he was wrong.  David didn’t want to hear the bad news, the necessary news.  But he needed to, and Joab strongly rebuked him and showed him the need to.  Thank God David listened.