9. David kept concubines in addition to his several wives
In 2 Samuel, the existence of David’s concubines is revealed when it becomes clear that he left ten women so named to keep his house when he fled from the approach of an army led by his rebellious son, Absalom. Absalom used the concubines to demonstrate his contempt for his father and his complete lack of fear of his father’s supporters, while simultaneously demonstrating to the people of Jerusalem that he had the right to reign as king. He did so on the advice of his ally Ahithopel, who said “Go in unto thy father’s concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong”.
Absalom followed his advice. “So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel”. The inference to be taken is that Absalom took revenge upon his estranged father by taking his concubines in the open, shielded by a tent from above, but clearly seen by the population, using the women to both satisfy his lust publicly. It was the same roof from which David had lusted after Bathsheba, which had led to a prophecy by Nathan that David’s punishment for his sins in that event would correspond to what he had himself committed.
