2 Samuel 20:3David 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 custody, and provided them with sustenance, but didn't go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.
The setting
Jerusalem, Israel, ~970 BC. David returns to his palace after Absalom's death, facing ten women forever marked by his son's public violation...
The emotion here: heavy-hearted, recording the tragic aftermath of civil war
The original word
mishmereth (מִשְׁמֶרֶת) — protective custody, guarding with care
Why it matters
These concubines became 'living widows' - neither divorced nor wives, a unique legal status in ancient Israel
Read with care
What most readers miss in 2 Samuel 20:3
David COULD have divorced them but chose to protect and provide for them instead
Common misconceptionPeople think David was being cruel or rejecting these women. Actually, he was protecting them from further shame while ensuring their care for life.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 2 Samuel 20:3
Bible Genome reading
2 Samuel 20:3 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
2 Samuel 20:3 comes from the book of 2 Samuel, written during the United Kingdom period. The setting is a royal palace. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include consequences, isolation, suffering. Notable phrases: ten women his concubines; put them in custody.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does 2 Samuel 20:3 mean to you, today?
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