Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Samuel 18:32

"And the king said unto the Cushite, Is it well with the young man Absalom? And the Cushite answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise up against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is." — 2 Samuel 18:32 (ASV)

Absalom. —To the Cushite’s news, David replies with the same question as before; but this messenger does not grasp the state of the king’s feelings, and answers plainly enough, though in courteous terms, that Absalom is dead.