Absalom was one of King David’s sons mentioned in the Bible. He led a revolt against his father and erected for himself a monument in the King’s Valley near Jerusalem after he was killed during the Battle of Ephraim’s Wood. The Bible provides some details about this monument that Absalom built.
2 Samuel 18 recounts the story of Absalom’s revolt and death. After being defeated in battle by David’s forces, Absalom was riding on a mule when his head got caught in an oak tree as he passed under it. He was left hanging there until Joab, the commander of David’s army, took three javelins and thrust them through Absalom’s heart while he was still alive and hanging in the tree (2 Samuel 18:9-15).
After Absalom died, his men took his body and threw it into a large pit in the forest, piling rocks over it (2 Samuel 18:17). The text then notes in verse 18 that Absalom had taken a pillar during his lifetime and erected it in the King’s Valley, saying, “I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.” He named the pillar after himself, and it was called Absalom’s Monument to this day.
This monument or pillar that Absalom erected provides insight into his character. First, it showed his pride and arrogance, desiring to set up a monument to himself. He wanted to establish his name and be remembered. Second, it revealed his awareness that he had no heir to carry on his name, since his sons had died earlier (2 Samuel 14:27). So he took matters into his own hands to preserve his name.
As for details about the monument itself, the Bible provides only a few particulars. We know it was some kind of pillar, stone structure, or standing stone that Absalom set up in the King’s Valley just outside Jerusalem (2 Samuel 18:18). The King’s Valley was a known place in the region (Genesis 14:17). Given Absalom’s pride and arrogance, the monument was likely designed to be tall and imposing, visible from a distance, in order to project power, status, and Absalom’s significance. But other than being called a “pillar” and a “monument,” nothing more is revealed about the specific characteristics of the structure from the biblical account.
Jewish historian Josephus, writing centuries later, claimed Absalom’s monument was made of marble and consisted of three pillars supporting a magnificent dome-like roof. He also claimed Absalom had three sons who died before he built the monument. However, these extra details do not come directly from the Bible itself. According to the Old Testament narrative, the monument was simply a pillar of some sort that Absalom erected to himself in the King’s Valley.
Whether parts of Absalom’s Monument remained centuries later at the time of Josephus is unclear. Nothing survives today that scholars can definitively identify as the remnants of this biblical structure from the period of King David. However, there is a monument from much later periods that is conventionally called “Absalom’s Tomb” by modern observers. This monument is located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives and dates to the first century BC. It is constructed of a lower cube portion atop which sits an upper conical block, tapering toward a pointed capstone. Though a prominent landmark today, most scholars agree this is not the same monument Absalom originally constructed for himself in the King’s Valley as described in 2 Samuel.
In the 1960s, Israeli archaeologist Binyamin Mazar uncovered some fragmentary circa-10th century BCE remains in the Kidron Valley adjacent to the “Absalom’s Tomb” structure which he proposed might be remnants of the original monument mentioned in the biblical text. However, other scholars have disputed this claim, leaving the question open. With no inscriptional evidence, we cannot definitively match any existing remains to the Absalom’s Monument described in the Bible.
The story of Absalom erecting this monument to himself reflects certain cultural practices of memorials and tombs in the ancient Near East. It was common for kings and important figures to build tombs or memorials to preserve their name. Examples include the pyramids of ancient Egypt and other large rock-hewn tombs throughout the Levant region. The desire to establish one’s name was significant in that culture. So while arrogant, Absalom’s actions fit that context.
Overall, the account of Absalom’s monument reminds us of the brevity of life. Despite his attempts to make a great name for himself with this pillar in the King’s Valley, Absalom died without a lasting legacy and was buried in dishonor (2 Samuel 18:17). His father King David mourned his death, highlighting the tragedy and futility of his short-lived rebellion (2 Samuel 18:33). The temporariness of Absalom’s monument and tragic end serves as a sober warning against pride, arrogance, and seeking one’s own glory over honoring God and parents.
In summary, the Bible provides limited information about Absalom’s Monument – identifying it as a pillar or standing stone structure that Absalom erected to himself in the King’s Valley near Jerusalem, hoping to establish his name and be remembered. No remains can definitively be attributed to this original monument today. The narrative underscores the brevity of life and the judgment that comes to those who pursue self-glorification over humility and obedience to God. Absalom’s Monument serves as a memorial warning others against pride and vain ambition.
Additional key details about Absalom’s monument based on the biblical account in 2 Samuel 18:
- Absalom erected it during his lifetime in the King’s Valley near Jerusalem
- He built it to memorialize his name due to having no sons to carry on his memory
- It consisted of a single pillar of unspecified height, material, or ornamentation
- Absalom named the pillar/monument after himself
- It was still called “Absalom’s Monument” generations later at the time the book of Samuel was written
- Its construction revealed Absalom’s pride, arrogance, and awareness of his lack of heirs
- It sought to preserve Absalom’s name, but his legacy was still cut short in dishonor
- The Bible provides no further physical details about the monument’s size, shape, or composition
- No remains have been conclusively identified from the period of King David
- The narrative uses the monument to underscore the brevity of life and futility of self-glorification
In the end, the limited information we have ultimately highlights the temporary nature of such monuments and the judgment that caught up with Absalom’s rebellion and pride. The account forms a somber warning about self-exaltation versus humility and obedience to God.
Absalom’s monument provides a lesson in honoring God above personal legacy. Despite Absalom’s best efforts to memorialize himself, his name was later tarnished and the monument faded into obscurity. Though he was temporarily able to usurp his father’s throne, his glory was short-lived. Pride and self-promotion cannot outlast God’s judgment and the eternal legacy found in honoring Him.
The monument reveals that arrogance and dishonoring parents reap negative consequences (Exodus 20:12). Though the monument seemed impressive at the time, its glory soon faded. Future generations saw it as a warning rather than a triumph. Our true impact comes not through monuments that glorify self, but through humble obedience that glorifies God.
Additionally, the lack of any clearly identified remains of the monument symbolizes the ephemeral nature of fame and glory apart from God. As Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-21, earthly treasures corrode and fade, but heavenly treasures last forever. Self-glorification is not the path to an enduring legacy. Imitating Christ in self-sacrifice and humility leads to eternal rewards.
In summary, Absalom’s monument represents a sobering lesson in priorities. Though Absalom sought to exalt his own name through an impressive pillar, death and divine judgment soon rendered his efforts futile. Our legacy is not defined by monuments that glorify self, but by a life lived honoring God and valuing eternal rewards over fleeting fame.
The account of Absalom’s monument in 2 Samuel 18 serves as a character study revealing his pride, arrogance, awareness of having no heirs, and desire to glorify himself. This stands in stark contrast to the example of Christ who humbled himself and gave his life for others. The emptiness of Absalom’s goal is exposed by the brevity of his legacy. Ultimately, meaning and purpose are found not in self-exaltation but in living for God’s glory.
In just a few verses, the Bible paints a cautionary tale about the futility of self-glorification. Though Absalom erected an impressive monument in a prominent location, his prideful motivations, dishonorable rebellion, and untimely death rendered his efforts meaningless. The temporariness of the monument matched the brevity of his fame. In the end, Absalom’s name was tarnished and the monument faded into obscurity. His selfish aims could not overcome the judgment his actions brought. The path to an enduring legacy lies not in monuments that glorify self, but in a life lived humbly worshipping and obeying God.