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.
Ver. 18. Had reared up for himself a pillar.] A pyramis, a triumphal arch, or rather a sepulchral monument; to make him a name, which yet would not be. God crossed him in his pride: for it proved a κενοταφιον, as the Greeks call it; and he as a dead beast was cast out of the way.
Which is in the king's dale.] As hoping one day to be a king amongst them: and pity but he had been served as that false Earl of Athol was, who, having murdered James, king of Scots, in hope to attain the crown, as his witches had promised him, was indeed crowned, but it was with a crown of red-hot iron clapped upon his head; being one of the tortures wherewith he ended at once his wicked days and desires. a
For he said, I have no son.] His sons all died similiarily, after he came from Geshur. God would not allow him to live in his children, who had so wicked a heart toward his father.
And he called the pillar after his own name.] But took no care at all whether his name were "written in the Book of life." See Trapp on " Jdg 9:54 " Erasmus telleth us of some of his time who being at last gasp, would give a great sum of money for a cardinal's hat, that they might have the title of cardinals engraven upon their tombs.
And it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.] Heb., Absalom's hand: or, as Martyr hath it, The work of Absalom. It was a marble pillar with his statue upon it, saith Adrichomius. b It might afterwards have been called, as that near Rome is, Colonne infame, the infamous pillar.
a Hect. Boeth.
b Il Mercur. Italico.