2 Samuel 15:16
New International Version
The king set out, with his entire household following him; but he left ten concubines to take care of the palace.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
So the king went out, and all his household after him. And the king left ten concubines to keep the house.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace.

King James Bible
And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

New King James Version
Then the king went out with all his household after him. But the king left ten women, concubines, to keep the house.

New American Standard Bible
So the king left, and all his household with him; but the king left ten concubines behind to take care of the house.

NASB 1995
So the king went out and all his household with him. But the king left ten concubines to keep the house.

NASB 1977
So the king went out and all his household with him. But the king left ten concubines to keep the house.

Legacy Standard Bible
So the king went out and all his household with him. But the king left ten concubines to keep the house.

Amplified Bible
So the king left, and all his household with him. But the king left behind ten women who were concubines to take care of the house (palace).

Christian Standard Bible
Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind 10 concubines to take care of the palace.

American Standard Version
And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, that were concubines, to keep the house.

English Revised Version
And the king went forth, and all his household after him, And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The king left on foot, and his whole household followed him except ten concubines whom the king left behind to take care of the palace.

Good News Translation
So the king left, accompanied by all his family and officials, except for ten concubines, whom he left behind to take care of the palace.

International Standard Version
So the king left, taking his entire household with him except for ten mistresses, who were to keep the palace in order.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace.

NET Bible
So the king and all the members of his royal court set out on foot, though the king left behind ten concubines to attend to the palace.

New Heart English Bible
And the king went out with all his household following him. But the king left ten women, who were secondary wives, to take care of the palace.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women who were concubines to keep the house.

World English Bible
The king went out, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the king goes out, and all his household at his feet, and the king leaves ten women—concubines—to keep the house.

Young's Literal Translation
And the king goeth out, and all his household at his feet, and the king leaveth ten women -- concubines -- to keep the house.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the king will go forth, and all his house at his feet. And the king will leave ten women, concubines, to watch the house.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the king went forth, and all his household on foot: and the king left ten women his concubines to keep the house:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, the king departed, with his entire household on foot. And the king left behind ten women of the concubines to care for the house.

New American Bible
Then the king set out, accompanied by his entire household, except for ten concubines whom he left behind to care for the palace.

New Revised Standard Version
So the king left, followed by all his household, except ten concubines whom he left behind to look after the house.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So the king went forth and all his household after him. And the king left ten women who were concubines to keep his house.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the King went out and all the children of his house at his feet, and the King left ten women of the Concubines to keep his house
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, that were concubines, to keep the house.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king and all his house went out on foot: and the king left ten women of his concubines to keep the house.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
David Flees Jerusalem
15The king’s servants replied, “Whatever our lord the king decides, we are your servants.” 16Then the king set out, and his entire household followed him. But he left behind ten concubines to take care of the palace. 17So the king set out with all the people following him. He stopped at the last house,…

Cross References
2 Samuel 19:9-15
And all the people throughout the tribes of Israel were arguing, “The king rescued us from the hand of our enemies and delivered us from the hand of the Philistines, but now he has fled the land because of Absalom. / But Absalom, the man we anointed over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about restoring the king?” / Then King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Say to the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to restore the king to his palace, since the talk of all Israel has reached the king at his quarters? ...

1 Kings 1:33-37
“Take my servants with you,” said the king. “Set my son Solomon on my own mule and take him down to Gihon. / There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet are to anoint him king over Israel. You are to blow the ram’s horn and declare, ‘Long live King Solomon!’ / Then you shall go up with him, and he is to come and sit on my throne and reign in my place. For I have appointed him ruler over Israel and Judah.” ...

1 Kings 2:26-27
Then the king said to Abiathar the priest, “Go back to your fields in Anathoth. Even though you deserve to die, I will not put you to death at this time, since you carried the ark of the Lord GOD before my father David, and you suffered through all that my father suffered.” / So Solomon banished Abiathar from the priesthood of the LORD and thus fulfilled the word that the LORD had spoken at Shiloh against the house of Eli.

2 Samuel 16:21-22
Ahithophel replied, “Sleep with your father’s concubines, whom he has left to take care of 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.” / So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

2 Samuel 19:41-43
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.

1 Kings 1:38-40
Then Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada, along with the Cherethites and Pelethites, went down and set Solomon on King David’s mule, and they escorted him to Gihon. / Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!” / All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth was split by the sound.

1 Kings 2:35
And the king appointed Benaiah son of Jehoiada in Joab’s place over the army, and he appointed Zadok the priest in Abiathar’s place.

2 Samuel 19:1-8
Then it was reported to Joab, “The king is weeping and mourning over Absalom.” / And that day’s victory was turned into mourning for all the people, because on that day they were told, “The king is grieving over his son.” / So they returned to the city quietly that day, as people steal away in humiliation after fleeing a battle. ...

2 Samuel 16:5-14
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. / He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. / And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! ...

2 Samuel 17:15-22
So Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “This is what Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and this is what I have advised. / Now send quickly and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords of the wilderness, but be sure to cross over. Otherwise the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’” / Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En-rogel, where a servant girl would come and pass along information to them. They in turn would go and inform King David, for they dared not be seen entering the city. ...

2 Samuel 18:19-33
Then Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Please let me run and tell the king the good news that the LORD has avenged him of his enemies.” / But Joab replied, “You are not the man to take good news today. You may do it another day, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.” / So Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed to Joab and took off running. ...

2 Samuel 19:16-23
Then Shimei son of Gera, a Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David, / along with a thousand men of Benjamin, as well as Ziba the steward of the house of Saul and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed down to the Jordan before the king / and crossed at the ford to carry over the king’s household and to do what was good in his sight. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell down before the king ...

2 Samuel 20:1-2
Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” / So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

2 Samuel 20:14-22
Sheba passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel-beth-maacah and through the entire region of the Berites, who gathered together and followed him. / And Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it, / a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.” ...

1 Kings 1:5-10
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.) / So Adonijah conferred with Joab son of Zeruiah and with Abiathar the priest, who supported him. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

the king

Psalm 3:1
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.

after him [heb] at his feet

Judges 4:10
And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.

1 Samuel 25:27,42
And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord…

ten women

2 Samuel 12:11
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.

2 Samuel 16:21,22
And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong…

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.

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2 Samuel 15
1. Absalom, by fair speeches and courtesies, steals the hearts of Israel.
7. By pretense of a vow, he obtains leave to go to Hebron
10. He makes there a great conspiracy
13. David upon the news flees from Jerusalem
19. Ittai will leave him
24. Zadok and Abiathar are sent back with the ark
30. David and his company go up mount Olivet weeping,
31. He curses Ahithophel's counsel
32. Hushai is sent back with instructions














So the king set out
The phrase "set out" indicates a decisive action taken by King David. In Hebrew, the word used here is "יצא" (yatsa), which means to go out or depart. This departure marks a significant moment in David's life, as he is fleeing from his son Absalom's rebellion. Historically, this reflects the tumultuous period in David's reign, where internal family strife led to national crisis. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the trials even the most anointed leaders can face, and the need for reliance on God during times of distress.

with his entire household following him
The term "entire household" encompasses all those who were part of David's immediate family and servants. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a king's household was not just his family but included a large retinue of servants and officials. This phrase highlights the loyalty and unity of those who chose to follow David despite the uncertainty of their future. It serves as an inspirational reminder of the importance of community and support during times of crisis, and the strength found in unity under godly leadership.

but he left behind ten concubines
The mention of "ten concubines" reflects the cultural practices of the time, where kings often had concubines as part of their household. The Hebrew word for concubine is "פילגש" (pilegesh), which denotes a woman who lives with a man but has lower status than a wife. This decision by David to leave them behind was strategic, as they were to maintain the palace in his absence. Historically, this act had significant consequences, as Absalom later violated these women, fulfilling Nathan's prophecy of calamity within David's house (2 Samuel 12:11). This serves as a sobering reminder of the far-reaching impact of sin and the importance of seeking God's wisdom in all decisions.

to take care of the palace
The phrase "to take care of" indicates a responsibility entrusted to the concubines. The Hebrew root "שמר" (shamar) means to guard, keep, or preserve. This task was crucial, as the palace represented the heart of the kingdom's administration and authority. In a spiritual sense, this highlights the importance of stewardship and faithfulness in the roles and responsibilities God entrusts to us, regardless of our position. It also underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and the preservation of His purposes, even amidst human failings and political upheaval.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the king
הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

set out,
וַיֵּצֵ֥א (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

and his entire
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

household
בֵּית֖וֹ (bê·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

followed him.
בְּרַגְלָ֑יו (bə·raḡ·lāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

But he
הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

left behind
וַיַּעֲזֹ֣ב (way·ya·‘ă·zōḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

ten
עֶ֧שֶׂר (‘e·śer)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6235: Ten

concubines
פִּֽלַגְשִׁ֖ים (pi·laḡ·šîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6370: A concubine, a paramour

to take care of
לִשְׁמֹ֥ר (liš·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

the palace.
הַבָּֽיִת׃ (hab·bā·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT History: 2 Samuel 15:16 The king went forth and all his (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 15:15
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