³ When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines^(A) he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.

²¹ Ahithophel answered, “Sleep with your father’s concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself obnoxious to your father, and the hands of everyone with you will be more resolute.” ²² So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.^(A)

¹⁶ The king set out, with his entire household following him; but he left ten concubines^(A) to take care of the palace.

³ and put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard,^(A) in the same prison where Joseph was confined.