Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace.
Parallel translations
- WEB The king went out, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.
- KJV And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
- NKJV Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house.
- NASB So the king left, and all his household with him; but the king left ten concubines behind to take care of the house.
- NLT So the king and all his household set out at once. He left no one behind except ten of his concubines to look after the palace.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David departs with his household but leaves ten concubines to keep the palace. This decision will have tragic consequences as Nathan's prophecy unfolds.
Overview
As David flees, he leaves ten concubines behind, a detail that sets up the fulfillment of Nathan's word that David's wives would be violated in the sight of Israel (12:11). Absalom will publicly take them (16:22), and they will live in seclusion thereafter (20:3). The verse shows the unfolding of divine judgment on David's earlier sin, even as God's mercy preserves him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 2 Sam 16:21–22Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to keep 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.”
- Ps 3:1A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom. O LORD, how my foes have increased! How many rise up against me!
- 2 Sam 20:3When 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.
- Rom 12:2Do 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.
- 1 Sam 25:27Now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow you.
- 1 Sam 25:42So Abigail hurried and got on a donkey, and attended by five of her maidens, she followed David’s messengers and became his wife.
- Judg 4:10where he summoned Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah also went with him.
- 2 Sam 12:11This 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.
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 15:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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