Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 11:1-17, 2 Samuel 11:26-27, 2 Samuel 12:7-25, 1 Kings 1:5-31
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 was 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 for us to 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 (2Samuel 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 the following:
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 to take his God-appointed place as king of Israel (1Kings 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.
Written by Whitney Capps
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74 thoughts on "Bathsheba"
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When reading this story, I see lust as the power force behind David’s actions. This reminds me of Joseph (the Bible said he is a very handsome man) when he was seduced and forced under the lust of Potiphar’s wife. Both cases, despite the gender, the victims are greatly oppressed. One played along, she could have been stoned under the Law of Moses as the adulterous woman. One resisted, preserved his integrity and ran for his life. And the consequences are rough for both. Lust and power combined can bring so much grief.
He can use even our stories.
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Bathsheba’s story in the Bible starts with violence, grief, and her loss of agency. But God never leaves her, and eventually empowers her to advocate for herself and her son. This is such a reassuring and powerful trajectory. I wish more in the church would portray Bathseba the way she is portrayed in this devotional. She is constantly portrayed as a seductress and what happened is described as an affair. It is so unjust.
Thank you all for your prayers!
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What Bathsheba endured is crushing. Taken against her will. Her husband murdered. Her child died. It is only through God’s strength, I’m sure, that she survived. I know Uriah is not the focus of our study today, but he has always stood out to me in this story. By all accounts, he was a good man. And a loyal soldier and subject to the king. Through no fault of his own, he was used by David to carry his own death warrant to his commanding officer. He was murdered because David had sinned. I always think of him being abandoned by the other soldiers when I read this story. Bathsheba mourned for him.
Another thought this story always brings to my mind is David’s prayer of confession and repentance in Psalm 51. David prays, “Against you — you alone — I have sinned and done this evil in your sight.” It reminds me that it is so important to “own” my sins. No excuses. I did it. It’s my fault. Please forgive me. And David prays, “Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.” I pray often for a restoration of the joy of God’s salvation. Struggling with clinical depression robs me of joy, but God’s salvation restores it in me. I’m praying now for a willing spirit, to walk with Him in every area of my life.
Thank you, Teresa, for your very moving words. ❤️
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The way this message was presented makes me realize how difficult it must be to read for our sisters who have been victims of rape, especially when Bathsheba is presented as the guilty party or in any way complicit in David’s sin. I am praying a special prayer for any sister who has been hurt in this way. I know our Lord grieves with you today.
Thank you, Margaret. ❤❤
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Admittedly, ashamedly, a new understanding by me of the story of Bathsheba.
Not a seductress.
A woman violated & traumatized.
She had legitimate fears, worries & pressures. Yet in time, she had courage, faith & the audacity to remind the King of his oath to name her son successor to the throne.
Many thanks to devotional author for presenting Bathsheba’s story with tender love & care by the devotional author.
And many thanks to the SRT team who likewise prefaced Bathsheba’s story with tender loving care.
And praises to God, the Holy Redeemer who dries tears & mends lives.
He alone knows how each of our stories will end.
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Solomon’s real name was Jedidiah means :The Beloved of the Lord.” According to 2 Samuel12:25 the prophet Nathan gave him this name.David or and Bathsheba named his Solomon.
I believe this name was a message from God. David and Bathsheba needed some comfort after the terrible experience of losing their child.
2 Samuel 12:23 gives up a glimpse that there is a place beyond this life”I’ll go to him, but he will never return to me.”
This gives us that we will be reunited with our loved one
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Thank you Whitney Capps and SRT for the sensitivity, approach, context and manner in which todays scripture and reading were presented.
Ugh….this is such tragic, heavy and icky reading today:(. In my younger years, sadly, I too had thought that Bathsheba had some level of responsibility in this story. I’m not sure I misunderstood or if it was taught/presented incorrectly. Thankfully, over time, my very wrong assumptions were set straight. As a woman, I’m not sure that there is anything more painful than these 2 situations: an intimate, physical violation and losing a child. And then, her husband is killed. What great sorrow. Any one of these is unthinkable, but multiple losses and trauma woven together are just awful. We don’t have any context for how Bathsheba processes all of these things but the cultural norms of the day would indicate she would be looked down upon. Did she even have any support? Anyone to hold her tears? Did she have a sister, a friend, her Mom to hear her, come alongside her and carry her heartache? Was everything just swept under the rug, under the guise of “no one can deny the Kings request, so carry on”? I know we’re talking about Bathsheba today but, goodness, David! What is going on???! Just so many questions, but as we look to see who God is in this story, we do see how despite all the tragedy, He is at work; faithfully presented, weaving together and redeeming the biggest heartache. From the devotional: “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.”
Thank you, Lord that you can work through the most unimaginable tragedy and heartache. That somehow, someway, in the worst of circumstances you don’t leave us in a pit grief, sorrow, messy and broken. Thank you Lord for your love in our lives, that you are near the brokenhearted and you are the lifter of our heads and our hearts. Thank you for coming alongside us to make all things new and that you are our Redeemer. Lord, there is much heartache, struggle and sorrow in this community of SRT sisters. We lay all of these before you and ask for your strength, comfort, discernment, peace and encouragement to be near. Full is with your presence Lord. Remind us Father, that you are near. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.✝️
On another note, Whitney Capps has shared this week on her media platforms that her ongoing cancer journey has had a setback. Let’s pray for her too. Heavenly Father, we pray for complete healing for Whitney, for guidance, strength and peace for her and her family.
Do a mighty work in her life, Lord. Amen ❤️
Prayers for WHITNEY
Thank you Wendy, said what all I was thinking just perfectly!
And thank you for sharing that about Whitney–prayers for her.
Joining in praying for WHITNEY!!! Thanks for sharing that need because I didn’t know. ❤❤❤
Wonderful words of wisdom, Wendy, as usual!
Wendy, this was a gem, thank you! ❤
Will indeed join in prayer for WHITNEY..❤
God can use our life trials for our good and His glory. Rest in his peace and mercy. ✝️
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So very true Jennifer.❤
Oh my goodness….I didn’t read the “Editor’s Note” before reading today’s scriptures, and I found myself in “tears” please, I’m not saying this to get sympathy. I haven’t read the devo that goes with this mornings scriptures, and I’m out of time. I will read it during my first break. BUT I want to say this, as I read, I’m reminded how we, “me” all mess up and YET God can still use us and MOST of all Our God, Our Jesus “still loves” us and His love for us will never change. I am faced with difficult decision, and I’m not sure how it’s going to affect my life, and I’m afraid of losing friend’s but ultimately it is my decision and I know that I know MY JESUS will not stop loving me! I sit hear again next to my daughter and she too, backs me up. Gotta go, or I’ll be late for work.
I just finished reading the devotional. I’m at the end of my 10 minute break. “If the cross brought everlasting life, then nothing on our lives can be so ruinous that God can’t use it for good and his glory.” Needed this more than anything today.
Mari, God has you firmly in the palm of His hand, shake those fears and believe in and trust Him. Yes your court date approaches, BUT GOD..He will be honoured and His Glory will be revealed. Much love covered in continued prayers ❤❤
ALSO Last day of school today, last day with the TK students, it’s pretty emotional. I’ve grown to love these little munchkins so much. I’m going to miss them.
Yay…Last day of school! You get to sleep in a little!
God can redeem what is broken!!!
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This story is full of heartache! It’s what some may call a real tear-jerker.
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Sharing 2 quotes today that stood out to me and remind me to cling to hope:
1) From the devo- “Heartache wouldn’t have the last word—not for Bathsheba and not for you or for me.”
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Thank you, WHITNEY CAPPS for your delicate delivery today. Thank you, SRT STAFF, for your Editor’s Note and prayers!
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This quote reminds me of the futility of the questions, “Why”, “Where”, etc.:
2) “Scripture provides no easy answers to settle our minds but plenty of dependable promises to heal our hearts, and faith is nurtured on promises, not explanations.” Warren Wiersbe.
…”Faith is nurtured on PROMISES not explanations”! (Emphasis mine)
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Yes, Amen! I like the Weirsbe quote. So true, we don’t have to, and never will, understand all Until that Glorious Day!!
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Beautiful Cee Gee.. Love the Wiersbe quote with the added emphasis :)❤
So thankful to see Gods love to Bathsheba in that… He loved her son. Which is probably all she wanted. Most likely she didn’t have a choice in the matter at all, as David was King…
Wow ❤️
Like Libby commented, I was always told the story of Bathsheba from a perspective that she was a temptress. Reading the story today, I see just how wrong that perspective was! My heart breaks for the pain, fear, and grief that Bathsheba probably experienced throughout her life. Thank You Lord for using our brokenness for Your Glory!
Same. Surprising that so many of us had that perspective being “sold” to us.
I don’t think I was taught / led to believe she was a “temptress” but always read this story seeing her as a willing participant / flattered by the king’s attention….also that having her husband who has NOT slept with her die was even more convenient for her than for David).
But reflecting on Nathan…wow, this is an change of perspective!
Thank you God for redeeming this story and that Bathsheba is recognized in the Matthew 1 genealogy (although not by name… clearly indicating that she had been another man’s)
Love ❤️ to ally sisters who are particularly triggered by this story.
** all my sisters
I actually wasn’t given that perspective. I remember a sermon that I heard growing up, probably 30 years ago now, where our pastor said that there was a certain time of day for women to bathe on the roofs and a different time of day for men for the sake of privacy. David knew he shouldn’t have been on his roof during that time of day but also knew he could get away with it as king. Our pastor (who was male) even mentioned that the fault had often been placed on Bathsheba by preachers throughout much of history but that she really wouldn’t have had much say in the matter. I think it’s unlikely that she had any idea that David was planning Uriah’s death, and I hope she never found out about that afterwards.
Now that you say that, I do remember that being said as well. Also, it reminded me that it starts off saying “in the Spring when “kings” march off to war.” David did not go..he had gotten complacent or lazy..or to prideful. And then fell into sin during this period.
I also had that idea. Not sure if it was suggested in my younger days or just assumed by the reading of it without understanding the culture. So grateful to be able to look to commentaries to clarify the culture, situations, etc.
GM She’s!
What a lot to process today! But being that the focus is on Bathsheba, so shall I try….but- it is the sin of others that caused such heartache, abuse, loss and grief in her life. That makes it hard to digest, but yet easier in that it is a fact. There is evil and sin all around us. Why do bad things happen to good people- SIN. Flesh. A fallen world. A lack of fear for the Almighty. People can and might do horrible acts against us or ones we love. But God- he can take what is meant for harm and turn it around. It didn’t bring back Bathsheba’s husband or her son, yet God did bring a garden from the ashes. She got to experience joy for her other son.
It is heartbreaking to see the suffering here and now. But that is the hope and faith in the kingdom to come. We would all be self-absorbed and living large if we didn’t see sin in action. The world is fallen and the devil is roaring like a lion to kill, steal, and destroy. He is REAL and he doesn’t play nice. Thankfully the LORD still is in control and working it all for good for those that love him. It’s the truth we must cling to. Even the most tragic stories can be turned. Mourning to dancing, heartache to praise, testing to testimonies, messes to messages. I am lucky to see and hear it all the time. If you are mourning, look to the One, the only ONE that can give you new life, great restoration.
Praying a beautiful day for you all.
A couple of songs come to mind- “I’ve Witnessed It” by Jen Johnson. And “The Story I’ll Tell” by Naomi Raine.
I love both songs!!!❤
And…that the evil acts came from a “man after God’s heart” is hard to get around. And then… the repenting happened in one measly sentence and is done- is both shocking and crazy….yet when it is me, of course I’m happy. So much to ponder.
That is why I love commentaries and discussion when studying scripture. It’s confusing and hard to sort on my own.
Though we don’t see it in this historical recording, thankfully we can see his angst and repentance in Psalm 51. ❤️
Exactly right!!
Amen, Rhonda! ❤
I am thankful God uses the broken…He uses our broken pieces and makes us a masterpiece. We are never too far gone, and He makes beauty for ashes!
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Oh Father thank You for your Everlasting Word and promises that are Yes and Amen!
“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.”
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Amen and amen, Whitney.
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Update on my young mama’s baby. Doctors determined that he has the flu. His high fever is what caused the seizure and the cynosis. Fever broke yesterday afternoon. They were kept overnight and I’m praying he will be discharged today. Thanks for interceding for him yesterday.
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LYNN FROM AL – so happy for you ❤️
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SUSAN BURLEY – continuing to pray for Seth and Paul as they recover.
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TRACI GENDRON – sorry for the loss of your FIL. Praying for your BIL’s care and healing.
Praise God her son is good and recovering, I was scared. But God! Praise God he healed him! Will continue praying for her and that God will restore and transform her life to overflowing blessings.
Thanks for the update on the baby, Kelly. Prayers for complete healing and God’s favor in these trials. Still praying for those laid off.
Thankful that God is healing the baby. Continuing to pray for young mama and baby.
A triple Amen on Whitney’s wirds, Kelly!
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Good to hear of the little person is in the mend, continued prayers for both mama and son..
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Continued prayers also for your husband and co workers situation.. Praying God’s hand over them as the continue to look for other jobs..
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And for you, dearest Kelly, may your heart know His peace as you carry this full plate of worries to Him..❤❤
Tough reading is an understatement, thinking through what Bathsheba endured due to David’s sins and cover up attempts, her obedience to the Lord’s promise of Solomon as king.
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God never leaves us, no matter what we are facing. I need to remember to cling to that truth in every circumstance and pray for His wisdom and guidance.
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DARLA TRAIL ❤️ welcome!
TRACI GENDRON ❤️ I was thinking about you just yesterday and wondering where you were, sister. I am so sorry to hear about your father-in-law and am praying for your brother-in-law! Also praying for safe travels – as CAROLINE BRIDGES mentioned, we still have 2+ weeks to go in this study, so join us if you are able.
GWINETH52- ❤️ beautiful, alphabet of a King
CEE GEE ❤️ who am I?
SUSAN BURLEY – praying for Seth and Paul
LYNNE FROM AL -❤️ amazing, that’s our God! Thankful for your safe trip and the closure you found, thrilled that you will start Monday at job you loved.
KIMBERLY ❤️
KELLY (NEO) praying for your young mama and baby
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I’m so happy that the author of today’s devotional made sure to understand the history of why Bathsheba was bathing on the roof. I was raised to believe that she was being a temptress and good King David could not resist. That is why women are evil. So messed up.
Bathsheba. Woman of God. Potentially raped, widowed and then lost her baby. I’m so happy that the Lord does his best work through broken.
YES!
Yes & Yes, Libby K!!
Yes, indeed.❤❤
Amen❤️
Praying for breakthrough
Praying for you.
God can use the hurtful things in our lives to show his glory and redemption.✝️
Help is to use the hurts in our lives to glorify our God.