Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 18:29

"And the king said, Is it well with the young man Absalom? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king`s servant, even me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was." — 2 Samuel 18:29 (ASV)

Is ... Absalom safe? —The king’s whole interest is centred in Absalom, and he cares for no other news. Ahimaaz skilfully, though untruthfully, evades the question. He had just been trained to untruthfulness in David’s service.

The king’s servant. —This can only refer to the Cushite; but by omitting the single letter which forms the conjunction in Hebrew, the phrase becomes When Joab, the king’s servant, sent thy servant, and so the Vulgate reads.