King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 20:3 Mean?

2 Samuel 20:3 in the King James Version says “And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the h... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 20 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. ward: Heb. an house of ward shut: Heb. bound living: Heb. in widowhood of life

2 Samuel 20:3 · KJV


Context

1

And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

2

So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem.

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. ward: Heb. an house of ward shut: Heb. bound living: Heb. in widowhood of life

4

Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three days, and be thou here present. Assemble: Heb. Call

5

So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than the set time which he had appointed him. Assemble: Heb. Call


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Sheba's Rebellion, emphasizing ongoing challenges to authority. Sheba's rebellion demonstrates that David's troubles continue despite Absalom's defeat. The wise woman's intervention prevents unnecessary bloodshed. Theological themes include ongoing resistance to God's appointed leader, the value of wisdom in crisis resolution, the danger of divisive rhetoric, and God's provision of unexpected solutions through unlikely people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 20 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding ongoing challenges to authority provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of ongoing challenges to authority?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
בָ֑א1 of 29

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

דָוִ֣ד2 of 29

And David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אֶל3 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּית4 of 29

the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַם֒5 of 29

at Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיִּקַּ֣ח6 of 29

took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ7 of 29

and the king

H4428

a king

אֵ֣ת8 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֶֽשֶׂר9 of 29

the ten

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

נָשִׁ֣ים׀10 of 29

women

H802

a woman

פִּֽלַגְשִׁ֡ים11 of 29

his concubines

H6370

a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 29
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הִנִּיחַ֩13 of 29

whom he had left

H3240

to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay

לִשְׁמֹ֨ר14 of 29

to keep

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

בֵּית15 of 29

the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֤ם16 of 29

and put

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

בֵּית17 of 29

the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙18 of 29

them in ward

H4931

watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (

וַֽיְכַלְכְּלֵ֔ם19 of 29

and fed

H3557

properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)

וַֽאֲלֵיהֶ֖ם20 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֹא21 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

בָ֑א22 of 29

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַתִּֽהְיֶ֧ינָה23 of 29
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

צְרֻר֛וֹת24 of 29

unto them So they were shut up

H6887

to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive

עַד25 of 29
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

י֥וֹם26 of 29

unto the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מֻתָ֖ן27 of 29
H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

אַלְמְנ֥וּת28 of 29

in widowhood

H491

concrete, a widow; abstract, widowhood

חַיּֽוּת׃29 of 29

living

H2424

life


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 20:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 20:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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