2 Samuel 15:16 Bible Verse Meaning, Explanation & Context
"The king went out, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house."
Sitting at the heart of the chapter, this verse is part of the central message. Read this verse with nearby lines and chapter themes to avoid out-of-context interpretation.
Verse Navigation
Surrounding Context
These nearby verses help interpret 2 Samuel 15:16 inside the chapter flow.
2 Samuel 15:14
David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise! Let"s flee, or else none of us will escape from Absalom. Hurry to depart, lest he overtake us quickly and bring down evil on us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword."
2 Samuel 15:15
The king"s servants said to the king, "Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king chooses."
2 Samuel 15:16
The king went out, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house.
2 Samuel 15:17
The king went out, and all the people after him; and they stayed in Beth Merhak.
2 Samuel 15:18
All his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
Meaning and Themes
2 Samuel 15:16 contains Scripture that reveals God's heart and invites personal response.
Reflection Questions
- What does the word "after" suggest about God's character or His purposes in this verse?
- Read the verses immediately before and after 2 Samuel 15:16. How does the surrounding context change the way you understand this verse?
- If you were explaining 2 Samuel 15:16 to a friend, what is the one main idea you would share?
Praying This Verse
"Heavenly Father, as I read 2 Samuel 15:16 — "The king went out, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to keep the house." — open my heart to understand what You are saying. Teach me about Your truth through this passage. Let these words shape how I think and act today. Help me carry this truth into every conversation and decision I face. In Jesus' name, amen."
Start with this prayer, then personalize it to your real situation.
5-Day Verse Study Plan
Day 1 — Read
Read 2 Samuel 15 in full. Mark where verse 16 sits and observe the flow of the chapter.
Day 2 — Observe
Read 2 Samuel 15:16 three times slowly. Write down every detail you notice: who is speaking, what is promised, and what action is described.
Day 3 — Interpret
Ask: What did 2 Samuel 15:16 mean to its original audience? Compare the wording in different translations if possible.
Day 4 — Apply
Write one sentence about how 2 Samuel 15:16 applies to your life this week. Share it with a friend or journal about it.
Day 5 — Pray
Turn 2 Samuel 15:16 into a personal prayer. Thank God for what the verse teaches, and ask Him to help you live it out.
Personalized Next Paths
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When you need peace
Use this verse to calm anxious thoughts and turn stress into prayer.
When you need direction
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When you need gratitude
Use this verse to shift from pressure to thanksgiving and trust.
When you need relational wisdom
Apply this verse to family, marriage, friendship, or team conflict.
Common Questions
What does 2 Samuel 15:16 mean?
2 Samuel 15:16 is best understood by reading the full chapter. The meaning deepens when you see what comes before and after.
How can I apply 2 Samuel 15:16 to my life today?
Start by reading 2 Samuel 15:16 slowly: "The king went out, and all his household after him. The king left ten women, who were concubines, to…" Ask what it reveals about God, whether there is a command or promise, and how the truth connects to a situation you are facing right now.
Is 2 Samuel 15:16 a good verse to memorize?
Memorizing individual verses strengthens your faith. Read 2 Samuel 15:16 aloud several times, write it from memory, and revisit it throughout the week. Psalm 119:11 says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Next Steps
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