What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 20:3? When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem “When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem,” • The king is coming back after Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 15:13-14; 19:14-15). • Though the throne is restored (2 Samuel 7:16), home life is fractured, fulfilling Nathan’s earlier warning (2 Samuel 12:10-12). • A sober reminder that victory does not erase earthly consequences. he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace “he took the ten concubines he had left to take care of the palace,” • David left them behind as caretakers during his flight (2 Samuel 15:16). • Concubines held legal standing as secondary wives (Genesis 25:6; Exodus 21:10). • Absalom’s public violation of them (2 Samuel 16:21-22) was a calculated seizure of royal privilege, exactly what God foretold (2 Samuel 12:11-12). and he placed them in a house under guard “and he placed them in a house under guard.” • Protective custody spared them more disgrace and shielded the kingdom from further scandal. • Royal law forbade a man to touch a woman taken by his son (Leviticus 18:8; 20:11). • The guard also maintained palace security while the realm still simmered with unrest (2 Samuel 20:2). He provided for them “He provided for them,” • David continues his duty: food, clothing, shelter (Exodus 21:10). • Care without intimacy shows responsible compassion (1 Timothy 5:8; Proverbs 27:23). • Even painful obedience can still be generous. but he no longer slept with them “but he no longer slept with them.” • Mosaic standards barred reunion after such defilement (Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Leviticus 18:8). • Resuming relations would publicly ignore Absalom’s offense and God’s law (Deuteronomy 22:30). • David’s own sin with Bathsheba now boomerangs: his household bears the loss he once caused others (2 Samuel 12:11; Galatians 6:7). They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows “They were confined until the day of their death, living as widows.” • “Widows” though David lived—socially and sexually they were cut off (Isaiah 54:4). • A tragic cost borne by innocents; sin’s fallout is never private (Lamentations 1:16). • The king’s holiness standard mirrors priestly guidelines for purity (Leviticus 21:14). summary 2 Samuel 20:3 shows David literally acting to honor God’s law after reclaiming Jerusalem. He shelters and supports the concubines yet ends intimacy because Absalom’s sin made further union unlawful. The verse teaches that God’s word stands exact, sin carries lasting consequences, and true repentance walks out hard obedience while still extending care. |
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