2 Samuel 18:18

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.

Now Absalom {H53} in his lifetime {H2416} had taken {H3947} and reared up {H5324} for himself a pillar {H4678}, which is in the king's {H4428} dale {H6010}: for he said {H559}, I have no son {H1121} to keep my name {H8034} in remembrance {H2142}: and he called {H7121} the pillar {H4678} after his own name {H8034}: and it is called {H7121} unto this day {H3117}, Absalom's {H53} place {H3027}.

In his own lifetime Avshalom had taken and raised for himself the pillar which stands in the King's Valley; because he said, "I don't have a son to preserve the memory of my name." So he named the pillar after himself, and it's called Avshalom's Monument to this day.

During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument.

Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself the 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 Absalom’s monument, unto this day.

Commentary

2 Samuel 18:18 offers a poignant detail about Absalom, son of King David, interrupting the narrative of his tragic death to reveal his deep-seated desire for lasting remembrance.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse serves as an explanatory note, inserted by the narrator after Absalom's death in battle (described in 2 Samuel 18:9-17). Absalom had led a significant rebellion against his father, King David, seeking to usurp the throne. The "king's dale" or "King's Valley" (likely the Kidron Valley near Jerusalem) was a prominent location, and erecting such a pillar there would have been a highly visible act of self-aggrandizement.

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, monuments were often built to commemorate great deeds, victories, or to honor gods. For an individual to erect one for himself, especially one named after himself, spoke volumes about his pride and ambition. The statement "I have no son to keep my name in remembrance" is particularly striking. While 2 Samuel 14:27 mentions Absalom had three sons and a daughter, it's possible they died young, or perhaps this pillar was erected before their birth, or they did not survive him to carry on his name and legacy, making his concern prophetic in a way.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Pursuit of Legacy: Absalom's primary motivation was to ensure his name would not perish from memory. This reveals a common human desire for significance and lasting impact.
  • Vanity and Pride: The act of building and naming a pillar after himself underscores Absalom's immense pride and self-importance. He sought to create an enduring monument to his own identity, rather than relying on natural lineage or a legacy of humble service.
  • Irony of Human Ambition: Despite his elaborate efforts to secure his name, Absalom is ultimately remembered more for his rebellion and tragic end, rather than for this specific pillar. His death is lamented by David in 2 Samuel 18:33, yet his name remains linked to his defiance.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "pillar" is matztzevet (מַצֶּבֶת), which refers to a standing stone or monument. It can be used for various purposes, from memorial stones to sacred altars. Here, it is clearly a personal monument, a testament to Absalom's desire for self-perpetuation. The phrase "Absalom's place" (יַד אַבְשָׁלוֹם - yad 'Avshalom) literally means "Absalom's hand" or "Absalom's monument," indicating something raised or set up by him, and serving as a memorial marker.

Practical Application

Absalom's pillar serves as a timeless reminder about the nature of true legacy. While we all desire to be remembered, this verse challenges us to consider what kind of legacy we are building. Is it one rooted in self-promotion, worldly achievement, and vanity, or one built on faithfulness, service, and a spiritual inheritance? Ultimately, a name truly lives on not through physical monuments but through the lasting impact of one's character, faith, and deeds, especially those done in service to God and others. This account encourages reflection on where our true security and remembrance lie.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 14:17

    ¶ And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that [were] with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which [is] the king's dale.

  • 2 Samuel 14:27

    And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name [was] Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

  • Daniel 4:30

    The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?

  • 1 Samuel 15:12

    And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.

  • Acts 1:18

    Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

  • Acts 1:19

    And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

  • Genesis 11:9

    Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
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