2 Samuel 20:3-4

3 Then David came to his house at Jerusalem, and ¹the king took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left to keep the house, and placed them under guard * and provided them with sustenance, but did not go in to them. So they were shut up until the day of their death, living as widows.

4 Then the king said to ²Amasa, "Call out the men of Judah for me within three days, and be present here yourself."

2 Samuel 20:3-4 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SECOND SAMUEL 20

This chapter gives an account of a new rebellion raised by Sheba, 2Sa 20:1,2; of David's shutting up his concubines unto the day of their death, whom Absalom had lain with, 2Sa 20:3; of Amasa being ordered to assemble the men of Judah to crush the rebellion, but being dilatory, Abishai is sent out with David's servants, and was followed by Joab with the men under him, 2Sa 20:4-7; and of the murder of Amasa by Joab, 2Sa 20:8-13; and of Sheba being shut up in the city Abel, 2Sa 20:14,15; whose head, by the means of a wise woman, was delivered to Joab, and so an end was put to the rebellion, 2Sa 20:16-22; and, lastly, of the chief officers in David's camp and court, 2Sa 20:23-26.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 15:16; 2 Samuel 16:21, 22
• 2. 2 Samuel 17:25; 2 Samuel 19:13