Reuben

5 The sons of Reuben^(A) the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed,^(B) his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph^(C) son of Israel;^(D) so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright,^(E)

²² So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he slept with his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.^(A)

³ When David returned to his palace in Jerusalem, he took the ten concubines^(A) he had left to take care of the palace and put them in a house under guard. He provided for them but had no sexual relations with them. They were kept in confinement till the day of their death, living as widows.

Dealing With a Case of Incest

5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.^(A)