What does 2 Samuel 15:16 mean?
ESV: So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house.
NIV: The king set out, with his entire household following him; but he left ten concubines to take care of the palace.
NASB: So the king left, and all his household with him; but the king left ten concubines behind to take care of the house.
CSB: Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace.
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.
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.
Verse Commentary:
After learning that Absalom has crowned himself king with the support of many in Israel, David and his courtiers quickly gather themselves to flee Jerusalem. David doesn't want to fight Absalom in the city; he wants to get far enough away that he can get his people to safety and regroup (2 Samuel 15:14).
David leaves ten concubines behind to keep charge over his house. Kings mostly took wives and concubines to establish alliances with foreign kings or influential families within their own nation. "Wives" were women whose families could provide political advantage to the king. "Concubines" were often from families who received more advantages from the alliance. A concubine could be assured that the king would take care of her and possibly her family. Commentators speculate that David left these ten behind because their families were loyal to Absalom.
When David sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, God outlined a series of curses on David. He would experience the same things he did to Uriah. First, his house would be filled with violence. This started when David's son Amnon raped David's daughter Tamar, and Absalom, Tamar's brother, murdered Amnon (2 Samuel 13). Second, evil will come from David's own house. This is happening now with Absalom's rebellion. Next, God said, "I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun" (2 Samuel 12:11–12). As David took Bathsheba in private, humiliating Uriah, Absalom will take David's concubines into a tent on the roof of David's house (2 Samuel 16:20–22).
Taking a king's wife or concubine is an act of dominance over that king. The conquering king "inherits" the wives and concubines of the prior king (2 Samuel 12:8). That's why Ishbosheth, Saul's son, was horrified that his general Abner had sex with Saul's concubine (2 Samuel 3:6–7). It's also why Solomon will have his brother and rival Adonijah executed when Adonijah asks for David's chaste concubine, Abishag, for his wife (1 Kings 2:13–25). David's concubines have no choice in the matter, but nor can they return to David's family. He puts them under guard in their own home as if they are widows (2 Samuel 20:3).
Verse Context:
Second Samuel 15:13–17 describes David gathering his household to flee Jerusalem. As part of God's curse for sinning against Uriah, David's son Absalom has declared himself king and is marching with his followers to Jerusalem. David would rather run than risk the safety of the city. He leaves ten concubines to care for his house. As he flees, he meets a loyal Philistine and priests willing to spy for him (2 Samuel 15:18–37). As a display of dominance over his father and authority over his father's kingdom, Absalom will publicly have sex with the concubines David leaves (2 Samuel 16:20–22).
Chapter Summary:
God's curses against David continue (2 Samuel 12:10–12). David's son Absalom stages a coup. His followers declare him king and escort him to Jerusalem. David and those faithful to him flee the city for the wilderness. He leaves behind two priests, their sons, and an advisor to thwart Absalom's plans. As he travels, David willingly endures every humiliation, not knowing which are from God. Joab kills Absalom, and the kingdom is restored (2 Samuel 16—18). Absalom's betrayal is not recorded in 1 Chronicles.
Chapter Context:
Second Samuel 15 continues the fulfillment of God's curse on David. As he betrayed his friend Uriah, so someone from David's house will betray him (2 Samuel 12:11). David's son Absalom steals the people's hearts and declares himself king. David and his household flee the city, leaving behind ten concubines and five spies. The spies protect David until Joab can kill Absalom in battle. David is humbled and forgives his enemies (2 Samuel 16—19).
Book Summary:
Second Samuel continues the story of David, who will become king over Judah. The other tribes of Israel are resistant, eventually sparking a civil war. David wins and makes Jerusalem his capital. Early success is followed by moral failure and controversy in David's house. The book of 1 Kings will begin by detailing David's decline and death.
Accessed 5/31/2026 7:26:44 AM
© Copyright 2002-2026 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved.
Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
