2 Samuel 20:3 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Put them in ward; partly, because they had not vigorously opposed Absalom's lustful desire, as they should have done, even with the hazard of their lives; and partly, lest the sight of them should renew the memory of Absalom's filthiness, and of their own and David's reproach, which it was fit to bury in-perpetual oblivion; and partly, because it might appear incestuous to have to do with those who had been defiled by his own son; and partly, because as David would not, so it was not now convenient that any other man should have any conjugal conversation with them.

2 Samuel 20:3

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,a and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the day of their death, living in widowhood.