Biblical Hebrew Forum

["George Athas" <gathas AT hotkey.net.au>]

Something to bear in mind in this debate is the fact the word for wives
is just simply *nashim* -- women. It probably included not just Saul's
wives, but probably also concubines and servants. What is in view in
God's words via Nathan is the total transference of power from Saul to
David. The acquiring of the defeated man's women was part of this (cf.
Absalom's brazen exploits with David's concubines on the roof).

Also, the use of 'bosom' in 2 Sam 12.8 may or may not have sexual
overtones. As Harold said, it's probably naïve to imagine that it
doesn't. However, the point is not what David necessarily did with these
women, but the fact that he now had custody of these women, just as he
had come to possess all the prerogatives of power which Saul previously
had.

Best regards, 
GEORGE ATHAS 
(Sydney, Australia)