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They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_samuel/20-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/10_2Sa_20_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Samuel 20:3 - Sheba's Rebellion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace, and he placed them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but he no longer slept with them. 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He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows. <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/20.htm">New Living Translation</a> When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to look after the palace and placed them in seclusion. Their needs were provided for, but he no longer slept with them. So each of them lived like a widow until she died. <a href="/esv/2_samuel/20.htm">English Standard Version</a> And David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten concubines whom he had left to care for the house and put them in a house under guard and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood. <a href="/bsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace, and he placed them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but he no longer slept with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows. <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/20.htm">King James Bible</a> And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood. <a href="/nkjv/2_samuel/20.htm">New King James Version</a> Now David came to his house at Jerusalem. And the king took the ten women, his concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in seclusion and supported them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood. <a href="/nasb_/2_samuel/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then David came to his house in Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left behind to take care of the house, and put them in custody and provided them with food, but did not have relations with them. So they were locked up until the day of their death, living as widows. <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/20.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then David came to his house at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and placed them under guard and provided them with sustenance, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as widows. <a href="/nasb77/2_samuel/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then David came to his house at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and placed them under guard and provided them with sustenance, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as widows. <a href="/lsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then David came to his house at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and placed them under guard and provided them with sustenance, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as widows. <a href="/amp/2_samuel/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then David came to his house (palace) at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women, his concubines whom he had left to take care of the house, and placed them under guard and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were confined, and lived as widows until the day of their death. <a href="/csb/2_samuel/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace and placed them under guard. He provided for them, but he was not intimate with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows. <a href="/hcsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the 10 concubines he had left to take care of the palace and placed them under guard. He provided for them, but he was not intimate with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows. <a href="/asv/2_samuel/20.htm">American Standard Version</a> And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and provided them with sustenance, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood. <a href="/cev/2_samuel/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> David had left ten of his wives in Jerusalem to take care of his palace. But when he came back, he had them taken to another house, and he placed soldiers there to guard them. He gave them whatever they needed, but he never slept with any of them again. They had to live there for the rest of their lives as if they were widows. <a href="/erv/2_samuel/20.htm">English Revised Version</a> And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and provided them with sustenance, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood. <a href="/gwt/2_samuel/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When David came to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to look after the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but no longer slept with them. So they lived like widows in confinement until they died. <a href="/gnt/2_samuel/20.htm">Good News Translation</a> When David arrived at his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace, and put them under guard. He provided for their needs, but did not have intercourse with them. They were kept confined for the rest of their lives, living like widows. <a href="/isv/2_samuel/20.htm">International Standard Version</a> When David arrived at his palace in Jerusalem, the king took the ten mistresses whom he had left behind to keep the palace in order and placed them in a separate house, providing for them under the care of a protective guard. He never visited them again, so they were under care until they died, living as if their husbands had died. <a href="/msb/2_samuel/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace, and he placed them in a house under guard. He provided for them, but he no longer slept with them. They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows. <a href="/net/2_samuel/20.htm">NET Bible</a> Then David went to his palace in Jerusalem. The king took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace and placed them under confinement. Though he provided for their needs, he did not have sexual relations with them. They remained in confinement until the day they died, living out the rest of their lives as widows. <a href="/nheb/2_samuel/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then David came to his palace at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women his secondary wives, whom he had left to keep the palace, and placed them under guard, and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were kept in confinement until the day of their death, living as widows. <a href="/wbt/2_samuel/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in custody, and fed them, but went not in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood. <a href="/web/2_samuel/20.htm">World English Bible</a> David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in custody and provided them with sustenance, but didn’t go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_samuel/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And David comes to his house at Jerusalem. And the king takes the ten women-concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and puts them in a house of ward and sustains them, and he has not gone in to them, and they are shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood. <a href="/ylt/2_samuel/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And David cometh in unto his house at Jerusalem, and the king taketh the ten women-concubines -- whom he had left to keep the house, and putteth them in a house of ward, and sustaineth them, and unto them he hath not gone in, and they are shut up unto the day of their death, in widowhood living. <a href="/slt/2_samuel/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And David will come to his house to Jerusalem; and the king will take the ten women, the concubines which he left to watch the house, and he will give them to the house of watch, and he will nourish them, and he went not in to them. And they will be bound together till the day of their death to live widows.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_samuel/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when the king was come into his house at Jerusalem, he took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, allowing them provisions: and he went not in unto them, but they were shut up unto the day of their death living in widowhood. <a href="/cpdv/2_samuel/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when the king had entered his house at Jerusalem, he took the ten women concubines, whom he had left behind to care for the house, and he put them into custody, allowing them provisions. But he did not enter to them. Instead, they were enclosed, even until the day of their deaths, living as widows. <a href="/nabre/2_samuel/20.htm">New American Bible</a> David came to his house in Jerusalem, and the king took the ten concubines whom he had left behind to care for the palace and placed them under guard. He provided for them, but never again saw them. And so they remained shut away to the day of their death, lifelong widows. <a href="/nrsvce/2_samuel/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten concubines whom he had left to look after the house, and put them in a house under guard, and provided for them, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as if in widowhood.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_samuel/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines whom he had left to keep his house and put them in custody and fed them, but did not go in unto them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, and were like widows. <a href="/hpbt/2_samuel/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And David came to his house in Jerusalem and the King took the ten Concubines whom he had left to keep his house and he confined them in a house to be kept and he supported them and he did not go into them, and they were in confinement until the day that they died and were widows<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_samuel/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and provided them with sustenance, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, in widowhood, with their husband alive. <a href="/sep/2_samuel/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And David went into his house at Jerusalem: and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and he put them in a place of custody, and maintained them, and went not in to them; and they were kept living as widows, till the day of their death. <a href="/parallel/2_samuel/20-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_0ajZHUzMKw?start=6084" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_samuel/20.htm">Sheba's Rebellion</a> …2So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem. 3<a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: ḏā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">When David</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bê·ṯōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">his palace</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: yə·rū·šā·lim (N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">in Jerusalem,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">he</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/6235.htm" title="6235: ‘e·śer- (Number-fsc) -- Ten. Masculine of term aasarah; from asar; ten.">the ten</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nā·šîm (N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6370.htm" title="6370: pi·laḡ·šîm (N-fp) -- Concubine. Or pilegesh; of uncertain derivation; a concubine; also a paramour.">concubines</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5117.htm" title="5117: hin·nî·aḥ (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To rest, i.e. settle down">he had left</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: liš·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">to care for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: hab·ba·yiṯ (Art:: N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">the palace,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: way·yit·tə·nêm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">and he placed them</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ- (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">in a house</a> <a href="/hebrew/4931.htm" title="4931: miš·me·reṯ (N-fs) -- Fem. Of mishmar; watch, i.e. The act, or The sentry, the post; obj. Preservation, or Safe; fig. Observance, i.e. Duty or A usage or party.">under guard.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3557.htm" title="3557: way·ḵal·kə·lêm (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To comprehend, contain. A primitive root; properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain.">He provided for them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">but he no longer</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: wa·’ă·lê·hem (Conj-w:: Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. ">slept with</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: ḇā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">them.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wat·tih·ye·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">They were</a> <a href="/hebrew/6887.htm" title="6887: ṣə·ru·rō·wṯ (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fp) -- A primitive root; to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive.">confined</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">until</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yō·wm (N-msc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">the day</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: mu·ṯān (V-Qal-Inf:: 3fp) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">of their death,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2424.htm" title="2424: ḥay·yūṯ (N-fs) -- Living. From chayah; life.">living</a> <a href="/hebrew/491.htm" title="491: ’al·mə·nūṯ (N-fsc) -- Widowhood. Feminine of 'alman; concrete, a widow; abstract, widowhood.">as widows.</a> 4Then the king said to Amasa, “Summon the men of Judah to come to me within three days, and be here yourself.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_samuel/16-21.htm">2 Samuel 16:21-22</a> Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of the palace. When all Israel hears that you have become a stench to your father, then the hands of all who are with you will be strengthened.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel. <a href="/2_samuel/15-16.htm">2 Samuel 15:16</a> Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace. <a href="/2_samuel/16-5.htm">2 Samuel 16:5-8</a> As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. / He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. / And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! ... <a href="/2_samuel/19-5.htm">2 Samuel 19:5-6</a> Then Joab went into the house and said to the king, “Today you have disgraced all your servants who have saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters, of your wives, and of your concubines. / You love those who hate you and hate those who love you! For you have made it clear today that the commanders and soldiers mean nothing to you. I know today that if Absalom were alive and all of us were dead, it would have pleased you! <a href="/1_kings/2-13.htm">1 Kings 2:13-25</a> Now Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, “Do you come in peace?” “Yes, in peace,” he replied. / Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered. / “You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD. ... <a href="/1_kings/1-5.htm">1 Kings 1:5-6</a> At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.) <a href="/1_kings/11-3.htm">1 Kings 11:3</a> He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Genesis 35:22</a> While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons: <a href="/genesis/49-4.htm">Genesis 49:4</a> Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it. <a href="/leviticus/18-8.htm">Leviticus 18:8</a> You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father. <a href="/deuteronomy/22-30.htm">Deuteronomy 22:30</a> A man is not to marry his father’s wife, so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed. <a href="/1_chronicles/3-9.htm">1 Chronicles 3:9</a> These were all the sons of David, besides the sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister. <a href="/1_chronicles/29-23.htm">1 Chronicles 29:23</a> So Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king in place of his father David. He prospered, and all Israel obeyed him. <a href="/matthew/1-6.htm">Matthew 1:6</a> and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife, <a href="/matthew/5-31.htm">Matthew 5:31-32</a> It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ / But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in ward, and fed them, but went not in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.ten women<a href="/2_samuel/15-16.htm">2 Samuel 15:16</a> And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.<a href="/2_samuel/16-21.htm">2 Samuel 16:21,22</a> And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong… ward [heb] and house of ward<a href="/genesis/40-3.htm">Genesis 40:3</a> And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.shut [bound] <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/19-5.htm">Concubines</a> <a href="/numbers/15-34.htm">Custody</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-2.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-28.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_samuel/12-3.htm">Fed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-30.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-2.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-32.htm">Provided</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-18.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-32.htm">Sustenance</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-43.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/numbers/15-34.htm">Ward</a> <a href="/genesis/38-19.htm">Widowhood</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-35.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/11-3.htm">Concubines</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-8.htm">Custody</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-5.htm">David</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-20.htm">Death</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-4.htm">Fed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-7.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-5.htm">Provided</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-21.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/psalms/109-10.htm">Sustenance</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-23.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-29.htm">Ward</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-9.htm">Widowhood</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">2 Samuel 20</div>1. <a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">By occasion of the quarrel, Sheba rebels in Israel</a> 3. <a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm">David's ten concubines are put in confinement for life</a> 4. <a href="/2_samuel/20-4.htm">Amasa, made captain over Judah, is slain by Joab</a> 14. <a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">Joab pursues Sheba to Abel</a> 16. <a href="/2_samuel/20-16.htm">A wise woman saves the city by Sheba's head</a> 23. <a href="/2_samuel/20-23.htm">David's officers</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/2_samuel/20.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem This phrase marks a significant moment in King David's life, as he returns to his royal residence after the rebellion of Absalom. The Hebrew word for "returned" (שׁוּב, shuv) often implies a restoration or a turning back, symbolizing not just a physical return but a spiritual and political restoration of order. Jerusalem, the city of David, holds deep historical and theological significance as the center of Israel's worship and governance, representing God's chosen place for His name to dwell.he took the ten concubines he had left to care for the palace The mention of "ten concubines" reflects the cultural and historical practices of ancient Near Eastern monarchies, where kings often had multiple wives and concubines. These women were left behind to maintain the household, indicating their trusted status. The Hebrew term for concubine (פִּילֶגֶשׁ, pilegesh) denotes a secondary wife, often for political alliances or household management. This situation underscores the vulnerability and complex roles of women in biblical narratives.and placed them in seclusion David's decision to seclude the concubines is a response to Absalom's public defilement of them, as recorded earlier in <a href="/2_samuel/16-22.htm">2 Samuel 16:22</a>. The Hebrew root for "seclusion" (שָׁמַר, shamar) can mean to guard or keep, suggesting both protection and restriction. This act reflects David's attempt to restore their dignity and protect them from further shame, yet it also highlights the limitations placed on their lives due to the actions of others.He provided for them Despite their seclusion, David ensures that the concubines are cared for, demonstrating his responsibility and provision as king. The Hebrew verb for "provided" (כּוּן, kun) implies preparation and establishment, indicating that David took deliberate steps to ensure their well-being. This provision reflects a measure of justice and mercy, acknowledging their plight and offering them sustenance.but he had no relations with them David's abstention from relations with the concubines is a significant moral and ethical decision. The Hebrew phrase here indicates a conscious choice to refrain from intimacy, respecting their altered status and the violation they suffered. This action can be seen as an acknowledgment of their changed circumstances and a form of penance for the consequences of his own past sins.They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows The confinement of the concubines until their death, living "as widows," is a poignant conclusion to their story. The Hebrew word for "widows" (אַלְמָנָה, almanah) typically refers to women who have lost their husbands, yet here it metaphorically describes their isolated existence. This reflects the tragic reality of their lives, caught in the aftermath of political turmoil and personal betrayal. It serves as a somber reminder of the far-reaching impact of sin and the need for compassion and justice in leadership.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_samuel/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) Living in widowhood.--This was the necessary result, under the system of polygamy, of what had happened. The clause may be understood as "in widowhood of life," as in our version, or "in widowhood of the living," i.e., while their husband was living, as in the Chaldee.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_samuel/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - They were shut up. We are not to conclude that all widows had to live in seclusion, but only that those women who belonged to the royal harem, but had been taken by another, were not allowed to return to it, but condemned to a sort of imprisonment. Living in widowhood. This is explained by the Chaldee as lasting only during David's life, its rendering being, "in widowhood while their husband was alive." <a href="/commentaries/2_samuel/20-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When David דָוִ֣ד (ḏā·wiḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse returned וַיָּבֹ֨א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to his palace בֵּיתוֹ֮ (bê·ṯōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house in Jerusalem, יְרֽוּשָׁלִַם֒ (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel he הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king took וַיִּקַּ֣ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take the ten עֶֽשֶׂר־ (‘e·śer-) Number - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6235.htm">Strong's 6235: </a> Ten concubines פִּלַגְשִׁ֡ים (pi·laḡ·šîm) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6370.htm">Strong's 6370: </a> A concubine, a paramour he had left הִנִּיחַ֩ (hin·nî·aḥ) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3240.htm">Strong's 3240: </a> Bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let alone remain, pacify, place, to care for לִשְׁמֹ֨ר (liš·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to the palace הַבַּ֜יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house and placed וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֤ם (way·yit·tə·nêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set them under guard. מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙ (miš·me·reṯ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4931.htm">Strong's 4931: </a> A guard, watch, charge, function He provided for them, וַֽיְכַלְכְּלֵ֔ם (way·ḵal·kə·lêm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3557.htm">Strong's 3557: </a> To keep in, to measure, to maintain but he no longer לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no slept with וַאֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (wa·’ă·lê·hem) Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to them. בָ֑א (ḇā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go They were וַתִּהְיֶ֧ינָה (wat·tih·ye·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be confined צְרֻר֛וֹת (ṣə·ru·rō·wṯ) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6887.htm">Strong's 6887: </a> To bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or cramped until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while the day י֥וֹם (yō·wm) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day of their death, מֻתָ֖ן (mu·ṯān) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4194.htm">Strong's 4194: </a> Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin living חַיּֽוּת׃ (ḥay·yūṯ) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Living as widows. אַלְמְנ֥וּת (’al·mə·nūṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_491.htm">Strong's 491: </a> A widow, widowhood <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_samuel/20-3.htm">2 Samuel 20:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_samuel/20-3.htm">2 Samuel 20:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_samuel/20-3.htm">2 Samuel 20:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_samuel/20-3.htm">2 Samuel 20:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_samuel/20-3.htm">2 Samuel 20:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_samuel/20-3.htm">2 Samuel 20:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_samuel/20-3.htm">2 Samuel 20:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_samuel/20-3.htm">2 Samuel 20:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_samuel/20-3.htm">2 Samuel 20:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_samuel/20-3.htm">2 Samuel 20:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-3.htm">OT History: 2 Samuel 20:3 David came to his house at Jerusalem (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_samuel/20-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Samuel 20:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 20:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/20-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 20:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 20:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>