2 Samuel 15:16

16 The king set out with everyone in his house, but he left ten slave women to take care of the palace.

2 Samuel 15:16 Meaning and Commentary

2 Samuel 15:16

And the king went forth
Which determined the case:

and all his household after him family and his court;
they followed his example, and attended him in his flight:

and the king left ten women, [which were] concubines, to keep the
house;
not to defend it, which they were unable to do, but to look after the household goods and furniture, that they were not damaged by the conspirators; though one would think they could be of little service, and may wonder what he should leave them behind for; but this seems to be ordered by the overruling providence of God, to bring about what was threatened him, ( 2 Samuel 12:11 ) ; and it is much he had not thought of it; but it was hid from his eyes, that it might be fulfilled.

2 Samuel 15:16 In-Context

14 Then David said to all his officers who were with him in Jerusalem, "We must leave quickly! If we don't, we won't be able to get away from Absalom. We must hurry before he catches us and destroys us and kills the people of Jerusalem."

15 The king's officers said to him, "We will do anything you say."

16 The king set out with everyone in his house, but he left ten slave women to take care of the palace.

17 The king left with all his people following him, and they stopped at a house far away.

18 All the king's servants passed by him -- the Kerethites and Pelethites, all those from Gath, and the six hundred men who had followed him.