2 Samuel 20:3

“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.”

Context:To better understand the significance of this verse, let’s first set the context. At this point in the narrative, David has returned to Jerusalem after the rebellion led by Absalom, his son. During Absalom’s revolt, David’s loyal followers stayed with him while some others joined Absalom’s side. Now that Absalom has been defeated, David regains his throne and resumes his rule as king.

The action taken by David:Upon his return to Jerusalem, David takes a specific action mentioned in this verse. He takes the ten women who were his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house (likely a reference to their duties as attendants or caretakers), and puts them in confinement. He provides for their needs but does not have sexual relations with them.

The significance of David’s action:David’s decision to put these women in confinement can be seen as a strategic and symbolic move to assert his authority and demonstrate his rule over the kingdom. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the possession of a king’s concubines by a usurper was considered a clear sign of the usurper’s claim to the throne. By separating himself from these women and not allowing anyone else to have access to them, David reinforces his position as the rightful king and prevents them from being used as pawns in any political maneuvering.

David’s treatment of the women:Although David does not resume sexual relations with these women, he takes care of their well‑being by providing for their needs. By doing so, he ensures that they live out their lives in widowhood, rather than being subjected to further political or social manipulation.