2 Samuel 20:3

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בָ֑א
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#2
דָוִ֣ד
And David
david, the youngest son of jesse
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
בֵּית
the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#5
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַם֒
at Jerusalem
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
#6
וַיִּקַּ֣ח
took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#7
הַמֶּ֡לֶךְ
and the king
a king
#8
אֵ֣ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
עֶֽשֶׂר
the ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#10
נָשִׁ֣ים׀
women
a woman
#11
פִּֽלַגְשִׁ֡ים
his concubines
a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour
#12
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
הִנִּיחַ֩
whom he had left
to deposit; by implication, to allow to stay
#14
לִשְׁמֹ֨ר
to keep
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#15
בֵּית
the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#16
וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֤ם
and put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#17
בֵּית
the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#18
מִשְׁמֶ֙רֶת֙
them in ward
watch, i.e., the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively preservation, or (concretely) safe; figuratively observance, i.e., (
#19
וַֽיְכַלְכְּלֵ֔ם
and fed
properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses)
#20
וַֽאֲלֵיהֶ֖ם
near, with or among; often in general, to
#21
לֹא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#22
בָ֑א
came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#23
וַתִּֽהְיֶ֧ינָה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#24
צְרֻר֛וֹת
unto them So they were shut up
to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive
#25
עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#26
י֥וֹם
unto the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#27
מֻתָ֖ן
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
#28
אַלְמְנ֥וּת
in widowhood
concrete, a widow; abstract, widowhood
#29
חַיּֽוּת׃
living
life

Analysis

Within the broader context of 2 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of 2 Samuel.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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