2 Samuel 13:17
Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
2 Samuel 13:17 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, we see King David asking for a woman named Abishag to be removed from his presence. Abishag was a young woman who had been brought to the king's chamber to attend to him in his old age. While some interpretations suggest that David's request was simply to maintain his purity and not engage in further intimate relationships, others believe that it was a political move. By removing Abishag from his chamber, David may have been trying to distance himself from the previous reign of King Saul, who had also had a similar arrangement with a young woman named Rizpah. Furthermore, by bolting the door after Abishag, David was ensuring that she had no further access to him, indicating a clear boundary being set in their relationship. This verse highlights the complexities of power dynamics and personal relationships in the court of King David.
Theological Overview
One possible theological interpretation of the verse in question is that it demonstrates the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance. In this particular passage, the king's actions may be seen as a reflection of God's response to sin. Just as the king ordered the woman to be put out and the door bolted after her, so too does God separate himself from sin and demand repentance from those who have transgressed. Additionally, this verse could also serve as a reminder of God's judgment and justice. The king's decision to remove the woman from his presence and secure the door behind her may symbolize the Lord's firm stance against sin and his unwavering commitment to righteousness. Furthermore, word studies of the original text may reveal deeper meanings or nuances that shed light on the cultural and historical context in which the verse was written, providing additional insight into the message being conveyed.
2 Samuel 13:17 in other translations
American Standard Version
Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.
World English Bible
Then he called his servant who ministered to him, and said, “Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her.”
Douay-Rheims
But calling the servants that ministered to him, he said: Thrust this woman out from me: and shut the door after her.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But called his seruant that serued him, and sayd, Put this woman now out from me, and locke the doore after her.