2 Samuel 18:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself the pillar that is in the King 's Valley, for he said, "I have no son to keep my name in remembrance." He called the pillar after his own name, and it is called Absalom 's monument to this day.

NIV: During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, "I have no son to carry on the memory of my name." He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

NASB: Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up for himself a memorial stone, which is in the King’s Valley, for he said, 'I have no son to continue my name.' So he named the memorial stone after his own name, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day.

CSB: When he was alive, Absalom had taken a pillar and raised it up for himself in the King’s Valley, since he thought, "I have no son to preserve the memory of my name." So he named the pillar after himself. It is still called Absalom’s Monument today.

NLT: During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King’s Valley, for he said, 'I have no son to carry on my name.' He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom’s Monument to this day.

KJV: Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.

NKJV: Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and set up a pillar for himself, which is in the King’s Valley. For he said, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” He called the pillar after his own name. And to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.

Absalom is dead, killed by Joab (2 Samuel 18:14). Joab and his men bury Absalom's body in a deep pit and cover it with a mound of stones (2 Samuel 18:17). They will not take his body to Jerusalem to rest in his family tomb. They will not hold a ceremony of remembrance or hire public mourners. Their only courtesy is removing him from the tree he got caught on and not leaving him for the birds.

Absalom does, however, have a monument near Jerusalem: probably either in the Kidron or Hinnom Valley. The reason he built it is confusing. When Absalom lived in Jerusalem, safe but estranged from his father, he had three sons and one daughter (2 Samuel 14:27). Apparently, the sons have died, but their deaths aren't recorded.

Since the first time the people begged Samuel for a king, God has made it extraordinarily clear that He alone is responsible for determining who will lead His people. He hand-chose Saul (1 Samuel 10:1). When Saul sinned, He hand-chose David (1 Samuel 16:12). David had 19 sons just from his wives (1 Chronicles 3:1–9). But God chose Solomon to succeed David (1 Chronicles 28:5–7). Some of Solomon's brothers refused to accept God's word. First, Absalom rebelled against David. Next, as David lies dying, Adonijah will convince Joab and the priest Abiathar to support him as king (1 Kings 1:7).

So it may be, even in the nation of God's people, in the family led by a man after God's own heart, that God had to clear the way for His chosen son of David to be king. It's possible that God removed his protection from Absalom's sons so they would not be rivals to Solomon. Jonathan, the rightful crowned prince, was willing to lay down his life to make sure his friend, God's anointed, became king (1 Samuel 20:14–17). It's ironic that David's sons couldn't do the same.

Second Samuel 18:9–18 records the loss of David's third son, and the completion of God's curse. As God promised, the sons of David's house have brought violence and evil (2 Samuel 12:10–12). Absalom and his army are fighting against David, but David has told his men to be kind to his son. Joab, David's long-time general, disagrees. He finds Absalom in a vulnerable situation and kills him. David's mourning over Absalom will earn him a scolding from Joab (2 Samuel 19:1–8).

In 2 Samuel 18, the rebellion ends. Absalom has built a following and revolted against David (2 Samuel 15; 17). His army is no match for David's seasoned warriors or the dangerous terrain on which the battle is fought. Absalom is pursued and killed despite David's order that he be spared. When David hears of this, he falls into grief. Joab tells David to stop disrespecting his people's sacrifice (2 Samuel 19:1–8). David leads his people back to Jerusalem and starts to repair the broken kingdom (2 Samuel 19:9–43).

Second Samuel 18 marks the fulfillment of God's curses against David. The violence and betrayal God promised David (2 Samuel 12:10–12) because of his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11) culminate in Absalom's attempt to kill his father and take the throne (2 Samuel 15—17). David's generals make quick work of Absalom's army. Joab kills Absalom against David's direct order. David will attempt to repair the fractured kingdom, starting with forgiving his enemies (2 Samuel 19:9–43). The rift never fully heals, however, and the nation splits permanently after Solomon dies (2 Chronicles 10).