שמואל ב, פרק ט״ו, פסוק ט״ז

David's sudden flight from Jerusalem to escape Absalom unfolds under immense pressure and in hurried stages. The king departs from his home accompanied by his entire extended family [מלבי״ם]. They make their escape entirely on foot. The extreme urgency of the situation forced them to flee so quickly that there was no time to gather riding animals [אברבנאל]. Alternatively, traveling on foot serves as a deliberate tactical choice meant to disguise the king's identity. Observers watching a group walk by would never assume a monarch is among them, allowing David to slip away without drawing public attention [רלב״ג].

Before completing his departure, David makes the decision to leave ten of his semi-official wives behind to watch over the palace. He does this under the assumption that no one would dare harm them [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Even though these women are referred to as concubines in this context, they hold the status of full marriage, which is why other biblical passages refer to them simply as wives [אברבנאל].