Bible Strands
2 Samuel 15:16
Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — David departs Jerusalem as Absalom's rebellion forces him from the throne, with his household following in immediate succession. This action occurs at the precise moment of his flight, before he reaches the final house outside the city.
The words — וַיֵּצֵא (va.ye.tze') translates "and he went out," and וַיַּעֲזֹב (va.ya.'a.zo) translates "and he left." These verbs mark the king's physical departure and his deliberate decision to abandon the ten concubines behind.
The thread — The abandoned concubines reappear when Absalom sleeps with them to legitimize his usurpation (2 Samuel 16:21) and when David later returns to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 20:3), while Psalm 3:1 anchors the entire episode in David's flight from his son.
Why it lands — The text records a strategic retreat that leaves the royal harem exposed to political exploitation. A reader must observe how the king's practical arrangement directly enables Absalom's public claim to the throne.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 16:21 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.”
- 2 Samuel 20:3 When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of 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.
- Psalms 3:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!
- Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
- Judges 4:10 where he summoned Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah also went with him.
- 1 Samuel 25:27 Now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow you.
- 1 Samuel 25:42 So Abigail hurried and got on a donkey, and attended by five of her maidens, she followed David’s messengers and became his wife.
- 2 Samuel 12:11 This is what the LORD says: ‘I will raise up adversity against you from your own house. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to another, and he will lie with them in broad daylight.