en_tn_condensed/2sa/20/03.md

to keep the palace

Here the phrase "to keep" means to take care of. AT: "to take care of the palace" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom)

in a house under guard

If a house is "under guard" it means that a guard is posted at the house. AT: "in a house and put a guard there" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom)

they were shut up

This means that they were not allowed to leave the house. AT: "they were shut inside the house" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom)

widows

These are women whose husbands have died.