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18 While Absalom had been living, he had erected a pillar as a monument[a] to himself in King’s Valley because he had been telling himself, “I don’t have a son to carry on my family name.”[b] So he named the pillar after himself—it’s called Absalom’s Monument even today.

David Learns of Absalom’s Death

19 Zadok’s son Ahimaaz told Joab, “Let me run over to King David and take him the news. I’ll mention that the Lord has delivered him from his enemies.”

20 But Joab answered Ahimaaz, “You’re not the man to deliver news today. Do it any other time, but not today, because the king’s son is dead.”

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Samuel 18:18 The Heb. lacks as a monument
  2. 2 Samuel 18:18 Lit. on memory of my name

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

David Mourns

19 Now Ahimaaz(D) son of Zadok said, “Let me run and take the news to the king that the Lord has vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.(E)

20 “You are not the one to take the news today,” Joab told him. “You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.”

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