Bathsheba
Open Your Bible
2 Samuel 11:1-17, 2 Samuel 11:26-27, 2 Samuel 12:7-25, 1 Kings 1:1, 1 Kings 1:5-31
BY Guest Writer
Editor’s Note: Some passages in Scripture deal in subject matter which might be especially painful for some readers. Though many of the wounds we receive in this life are deeply personal and unimaginably painful, when they appear in God’s Word, we are reminded that He sees them. Whenever sin is addressed in Scripture—whether through teaching or story—it comes to us in the context of God’s unwavering commitment to bring an end to all evil in this world through the finished work of Christ (Revelation 21:3–4). We are praying for and with you as you read.
One of the most scandalous stories recorded in Scripture involves King David and Bathsheba, the wife of one of his trusted warriors. David’s sexual sin against Bathsheba is condemned by Nathan and confessed by David himself. His blame has never been in question. Often called “an affair,” Bathsheba’s involvement is less than clear, however. Helpfully, Scripture offers valuable context to help us navigate the culture of that time.
Scripture records a detail that tells us something important about Bathsheba; she was bathing to cleanse herself after her monthly cycle (2 Samuel 11:4). For women practicing the Jewish faith, this was commanded, to bathe after monthly menstruation. This is important because it tells us that Bathsheba had chosen to obey the commandments of the covenant and honor Yahweh. We know Bathsheba lived protected within the city because David was able to see her bathing on her rooftop from the comfort of his own home.
Let’s take a minute to remind ourselves that this woman wasn’t a character in a story or an actor in a movie. Bathsheba was a real woman, living in the ancient Near East under the militaristic, political, and cultural control of King David. Bathsheba had real fears, life pressures, and hopeful expectations. Like us, Bathsheba was likely both strong and fearful. Like us, she probably wanted to make a life, build a family, and care for her friends. She likely worried about her future and her reputation.
I imagine Bathsheba never envisioned the turn her life would take. She would lose her first husband and bury her first son with David. Sadly, much of Bathsheba’s story is shaped by what was likely the hardest season of her life, when she was swept up into the center of scandal, shame, and heartache. Though the circumstances may be different, I suspect many of us know this sting. And in the midst of that kind of turmoil, we can all be tempted to wonder things like:
Where is God?
Why has He allowed this to happen?
Can He redeem even this?
But Bathsheba’s story wasn’t over. God wasn’t finished working in and through her. Heartache wouldn’t have the last word—not for Bathsheba, and not for you or for me. Mercifully, Scripture records other instances where Bathsheba would help lead, influence, and shape God’s story for His people. Scripture attests to her humility before the Lord and her bravery before King David, as she advocated for her son Solomon take his God-appointed place as king of Israel (1 Kings 1:11–40).
Where Bathsheba looked forward in faith, we have the unbelievable privilege of looking back in gratitude. Because of Jesus, we can be confident that even the darkest days and the most heart-wrenching circumstances can be redeemed. If the cross brought everlasting life, then nothing in our lives can be so ruinous that God can’t use it for our good and His glory.
Whitney Capps is a national speaker for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Her first book, Sick of Me (B&H Publishers) and bible study, We Over Me (LifeWay) both release in March 2019. Whitney is the founder of Simple Seminary, a place for the everyday gal to learn theology. She and her husband, Chad, are raising their four boys just outside Atlanta, GA. You can connect with her at whitneycapps.com or on Instagram, @whitneycapps.
28 thoughts on "Bathsheba"
-
The devastation of giving in to the flesh. I can’t imagine the confusion and pain Bathsheba bore. Many of you have spoken well to this. The innocent people affected by David’s poor choice. It really hits me that Uriah appears to be so strong in honoring his position as a soldier, he does not go hometo food and comfort while he knows his comrades are suffering in battle. His strength and dedication remind me of the younger David’s heart for honoring God and it strikes me that in his sinful choices David has chosen to kill his younger self. How devastating to take the life of such a man. Along with everything else. But, the grace of God. The word does show us we all fall short and God can forgive even the sin that crushes so many. Our God is incredible.
-
Amen, Angie, amen! Beautiful and true. Thank you for your words.
-
David was a warrior king. The women had danced through the streets during his youth singing his praises, “Saul has slain his 1,000’s, David his 10,000’s.” But, that was before, and on this day the king had sent his warriors out to battle while he lounged at home.That small decision put him in the place where he would see Bathsheba bathing.
David learns she is the wife of one of his warriors but calls her to the palace anyway, putting her near enough to be a temptation.I can imagine so many different ways Bathsheba must have been feeling and yet, she was powerless to do anything about any of it. We know that she is a worshiper of Yahweh and her life after marriage to David shows she was a woman of wisdom and discernment. So, this young, beautiful woman of thought and faith is placed in a situation she has no choice in.
Lysa Terkeurst compares decision making to deciding whether to step into a fast flowing river or not. Once we are in, the current has a way of demanding the direction we will take. It is not that we can’t make adjustments, it is just a lot harder to go a different direction…once you are in.
David jumped into the river when he took Bathsheba to bed. He continued with the current when he tried to trick Uriah into sleeping with her to cover his sin. When that didn’t work he continued having Uriah, his faithful warrior’s life taken in battle. Bathsheba was basically thrown in the river without choice. Both then were swept into the current.
When I was younger, I didn’t worry so much about the current. I was quicker to jump right in. As I have gotten older I find myself walking a little farther down the bank to check out where the current may take me. I find myself being a lot more careful about putting my toes right on the edge (probably because I have slipped in where I didn’t want to be too often).
Staying out,
Jumping in,
Being dumped in,
This journey is so much about balance.
Staying faithful to our calling.
Wisdom whether to walk along the bank or jump right in
evaluating it according to God’s guidance and His Word
Courage to follow according to God’s will, His plan, and His blessing
Jumping or dumped in
I will hold on to my Life Preserver, Jesus Christ.
Once in,
barely keeping my head above water
or enjoying the ride
I will trust Him.
I have no other choice – He is my everything-
Wow! I love your imagery! I am sure that it will come back to me again and again as I make choices. Thank you for sharing!
-
I love this Angie! Thank you for sharing this!
-
This is awesome, thanks Angie!
-
So good! Thank you for sharing this!
-
-
Bathsheba seems to be the collateral damage of David’s sin. “The Lord considered what David had done to be evil.” Bathsheba is not even mentioned in this indictment. I had never considered this before. Yes, she did have her world turned upside down as a result of someone else’s sin. How many tears must she have shed? How differently her life turned out than what she had imagined? At 55, I look back over the twists and turns of my own life’s journey and recognize the circumstances and experiences that took me places I had never imagined—some exceedingly joyful and some heart-wrenchingly tragic—some directed by my own willful and selfish sin and others the collateral damage of someone else’s sin—yet, the grace of God covers every aspect of my path! His plan for me, like His perfect plan for Bathsheba to give birth to, raise, and advocate for her son Solomon, the heir to throne and loved by God—is inline with His will and directed by His hand and is evidence of His mercy and His indescribable love for me! Looking back is always easier than being in the turmoil, for sure, but rereading the story of Bathsheba and recalling His faithfulness in my own life, I am strengthened by the truth of His love!
-
Amen! I was also touched deeply by Gods demonstration of grace toward David and Bathsheba.This is His amazing grace!
-
-
“But Bathsheba’s story wasn’t over. God wasn’t finished working in and through her. Heartache wouldn’t have the last word—not for Bathsheba, and not for you or for me…
Because of Jesus, we can be confident that even the darkest days and the most heart-wrenching circumstances can be redeemed.”Such powerful words for me this morning.
So grateful that our God is a God of redemption, restoration, and hope.-
Amen.
-
-
Thank You, Lord God, for redeeming what seems impossible. Thank You, Father, that You are faithful, even when we are not. You are good when we are not good. Thank You, Lord, that if we repent, You do not leave us in our sin. This sin is what You sent Jesus to die for. You cleansed us and washed us white as snow when our sins, like David’s, were red like crimson. You lifted every stain from our names, especially the ones that man would not so easily forgive. Thank you, Lord God. You are so very good.
-
Thank you for this prayer!
-
Yes! Amen!
-
-
Are there two innocents affected by sin in this account, or are there three? Surely Uriah and the first born son of David and Bathsheba are. But could not Bathsheba be one herself? Who would refuse the king’s call? Once she was before David, did he take her by force? Was she an unwilling participant, a victim of rape, an innocent tragically affected by David’s sinful abuse of power?
Unanswered questions here.
In the salaciousness of this account, let us not forget the innocents. Let us take a moment to stare the consequences of sin hard in the face. Immediate gratification may have years of repercussions. We’re grateful for confession, repentance and the generosity of God’s forgiveness. But let us not minimize the gravity of sinful choices. Let us be on guard. We each know which temptations are hard for us to resist. Let us have the integrity of Uriah in the face of them. Let us not trifle with temptation. Let us weigh the potential consequences of our choices. There are indeed innocents to consider.
-
Amen.
-
-
Yes, it’s true. God can use everything. As I’ve written before, I’ve been through many things I wouldn’t have chosen: my first baby was stillborn, a miscarriage, family turmoil, money issues, my daughter being molested by her step grandfather, court for him, husband’s affair, and mental torment. Each event had its own story. God has used these things for good. My stillborn daughter led me to hear the Gospel. I grew up Catholic, but didn’t know the Bible or exactly what the Cross was about. The weekend after she was buried, I attended a full Gospel church and heard the Word. God used a woman that I had been staring at. I was thinking she could praise and sing because she had a perfect life. Here, she had problems and had lost a baby too. However, she could sing, because she had hope in Jesus and the joy of the Lord. She came up to me and told me God said to run to Him and not away. How personal is our God to use that very woman! That’s just hitting me know how Awesome He is! My daughter never took a breath outside the womb, but her life had purpose! God is still using her life. I told my friend that every life has a purpose. She also lost a baby, and said that thought comforted her. (Please pray she and her family willI come to Jesus, and they can see her son again.) But, I’ve been able to be there for her, because I understand the pain. God used so many people to show me His love through these things. There are more stories about His help and how He sent people or messages of His Word, encouragement, and prayers after finding out about the affair. That’s the only way I could have made it through work and my daily tasks. God brought me to people’s remembrance and they were praying for me! My daughter gave her testimony about forgiveness. She was only 5 when she told me what was happening to her. She said in her testimony in front of her youth group and on missions’ trips that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit came to her in a dream and told her to tell me. She said that she went to bed one way, but woke up another. That is why when her teenage friends started to doubt God, she never did! She was able to forgive the step grandfather and that led an adult to remember what her grandfather did to her. She told me that if my daughter, could get through and forgive, she could too. ( I can’t remember her exact words, but something like that.) These things weren’t easy, and I’ve shed so many tears. I’ve been angry at times, blamed myself, screamed, cried out, felt desperate, and more. Recently, I heard that song called Scars. I thought about these things and cried. I’ve found Him to be a faithful and a loving God! He knows our tears, has them in a bottle, and will wipe them away. How comforting is that picture! https://youtu.be/OqjGT9BSyJA
Please listen to the song.
Post Comments (28)