Start each day by reading the passages listed above. Then use the summary and reflection provided here to guide discussion around the daily reading.
Uriah’s wife refers to Bathsheba, a Hittite woman who was the wife of one of King David’s most trusted warriors. After King David committed sexual sin against Bathsheba and she became pregnant, David had her husband Uriah killed in an attempt to cover up his own actions. Bathsheba became one of David’s wives and gave birth to Solomon. She later persuaded David to make Solomon king, even though Solomon was not the oldest son.
Where do you see God’s presence through Bathsheba’s story?
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39 thoughts on "Bathsheba, Uriah’s Wife"
She wanted her son to be on the throne and God gave her what she wanted
I’m having a hard time answering the “what did you relate to in Bathsheba’s story” in the study book
Well said!
@ Brooke P
I completely relate. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to see that most “great” stories of men rising go hand in hand with a woman whom I could assume would have been under great stress and despair. For me, Christmas is the biggest version of a woman having her whole life changed for the greatness of mankind. The judgement and stress she probably endured all while convincing others that she was faithful to Joseph… obviously the outcome was great. But the Bible really is filled with story after story of men receiving greatness while women alter their lives for it to happen.
Hard for me to read this account always on behalf of what Bathsheba went through because of David’s sin and the Lords punishment for his sin. She was taken and became pregnant, lost her husband, moved in to be one of many of David’s wives, gave birth, lost her baby. I know she went on to have more children but that just really saddens me of all she went through during this time.
This story always reminds me of the Veggie Tales version. I watched them all with my son who is now 25. My husband and I have just filed for custody of a 17 year old and her 2 year old son. He was not conceived by choice but she was living with the father of the baby and his mom has current custody of them both. It’s a long story but they are better off with us. I don’t know how we are going to handle the financial burden but I know this is God ordained so I am trusting Him to bring us through it. Custody hearing is on 7/12. Please pray that it goes well. I don’t have any doubts because I feel in my heart that this is what we are supposed to do
This story always reminds me of the Veggie Tales version. I watched them all with my son who is now 25. My husband and I have just filed for custody of a 17 year old and her 2 year old son. He was not conceived by choice but she was living with the father of the baby and his mom has current custody of them both. It’s a long story but they are better off with us. I don’t know how we are going to handle the financial burden but I know this is God ordained so I am trusting Him to bring us through it. Custody hearing is on 7/12. Please pray that it goes well. I don’t have any doubts because I feel in my
Bathsheba and Rebecca have a lot in common. I never saw this before. Both were mothers advocating for their children. Rebecca did it by deceit but this was an ah ha moment for me. They wanted their child to take their rightful place in God’s plan.
VBS at our church is a wrap! Thanks SEARCHING and THERESA for your mention since my morning post. It was such a blessed week- God was so present. THANKS AGAIN to the many who prayed! This community is such a blessing! I am soaking up your comments today as my brain is too tired to contribute. Thank you all for sharing your wisdom, insight, and discoveries as we study.
LYNNE FROM ALABAMA and NANCY S- Prayingfor you and your husbands. My brother in law cared for my sister in their home for over 5 years. My heart goes out to you both.
Hope you all have a blessed weekend.
I see it in the acknowledgement of sin and, understanding that there will be consequences, taking the consequences with as much grace and dignity as you can, and ultimately repenting. David did something wrong, and it took the Lord via Nathan to help him see just what evil he was doing. God is teaching us in this story. He loved David and David did some bad things. God with a heavy hand taught David a harsh lesson. I have to say that it hit me right in the heart when David acknowledged after his son died that his son could no long come and see him in life, but that he would have to go and see his son in death. David understood what his sin cost him.
God’s AMAZING grace! Such a beautiful gift. Lifting you all in prayer.
I see God’s hand of protection and provision for Bathsheba exhibited through the men who had power of her life. Bathsheba was brought into this story through sin, and lost her husband and a son but God took care of her. God’s workings are seen in David’s repentant and consoling heart. I love the versus in 2 Samuel 12: 24 – 25, when “David comforted his wife Bathsheba” when she could have been cast aside (also that she is referred to has David’s wife and her name, and not Uriah’s wife). And she bore another son, Solomon, an heir to the throne and blessed by God, that kept her and her son safe in the palace, and a comfort after the loss of a child. Then again God working through the prophet Nathan who nudged her to remind and hold accountable King David of his promise to make Solomon king after him. And remember David would know what it would be like to be anointed and promised to be king as a younger brother, and what it would be like to have to hide for safety when the sitting king considered you a threat. All a part of His grand and wonderful plan. He is a good God, Amen.
Thank you Mercy for the insight into Proverbs 31 and Bathsheba!
My take-away points:
1.Don’t despise God’s commandment to honor our fleshly lusts (2 Samuel 12:9).
2.There are consequences to sin despite of God’s mercy (2 Samuel 12:10-11). The pain to obey and follow God is still lighter than the pain of regrets and consequences of sin. “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23 KJV). God’s mercy is that David’s life is spared, but the life of the child conceived in adultery is taken. His mercy does not void all the consequences.
3. “The kingdom suffers violence, and the violent take it by force”(Matthew 11:12). A counterfeit will attempt to take your rightful spot and inheritance violently (“…did you swear o King that Solomon will reign,..why then doth Adonijah reign?”)( 1 Kings 1:14). May God send a Nathan to counsel us, back us up, and to help us demand our rightful place.
*There is a small clarification I want to bring out. Since the devotional mentions that “Bathsheba later persuaded David to make Solomon king, even though Solomon was not the oldest son”, that possibly causes a slight chance for misunderstanding/ vagueness that Solomon was king based on his mother’s persuasion- which is not the case. David chose Solomon as his successor because the word of the Lord came to him and instructed him to do so, “But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever” (1 Chronicles 22:9-10). Even though Solomon is the youngest out of the 4 children David has with Bathsheba -after the death of first child (KJV study bible notes). It is funny how David was also the youngest out of the 7, chosen to be king.
Another interesting fact that really touched me about Bathsheba is the Proverb 31, written by Solomon about the virtuous woman, is based on his mother Bathsheba. In the story of David, her image was tainted in this scandalous entanglement, but there is such redemption under God’s hand. Bathsheba was a wise and virtuous mother. The famous case which Solomon judged about an infant demanded by 2 harlots (1 Kings 3: 24-25), where one child was smothered and died. Solomon used the love of the mother to test who the real mother of the child was, by ordering a sword to cut the child in half. He was able to judge and discern the true identity of a mother, by the very tender love his mother Bathsheba gave him. What beautiful redemption God showed. Praise God for virtuous mothers and women.
Lifting up our sisters in prayers, RHONDA J (hugs, I love your tender heart, praying for the grandkids and parents/family matter, God can change hearts, rest assured), KATIE L (Your strength, mental recovery and ex MIL). Thank you she’s for your insights and interactions everyday. You have enriched my days beyond measure.
I pray you all will have a lovely weekend :)
Be blessed dear sisters.
I see Bathsheba as woman living in an era,time,where women had very little control over their lives.Kings had almost absolute authority.One article that I read that Bathsheba seemed passive in the beginning,but later seemed conniving.
My thoughts are that in the beginning of her relationship with David she had to stay alive
Later when she became a mother she was advocating for her son and her life.
Mother’s will do what is necessary to protect their children
Bathsheba is also the story about women who have changed lives in spite of the trials,road blocks in the era which they lived.
I see Bathsheba as a woman used by God,to fulfill the Covenant God made with Abraham.
We are imperfect people,who serve a perfect God,who will perfect us. The day we see Him we will look like what He called us to be in Christ Jesus.
Thank you, Lynne from Alabama for your prayers (Searching too), & book recommendations. I’ve also prayed for you, & have been watching for your name to pop up on here. I listen to a short, weekly Podcast called Dementia Careblazers that is upbeat & helpful. Do you have “The 36 Hour Day” book? I haven’t gotten into it yet, but it comes highly recommended for caregivers. The meeting today was good & somewhat encouraging. They believe he is in the mild stage, & has good cognitive reserve. He needs to retry CPAP for his sleep apnea which has been a failed struggle last year but can help cognitive function. Where are you & your husband in this journey? I’m so very thankful for our shared faith-we pray together more than ever! God is good, even when things are hard. This SRT community & the studies we do together are such a blessing.
Came on here today feeling led to ask for prayer for my ex-MIL and see that you ladies are so tuned into the spirit you already have been praying for her!! What a wonderful group of godly women that I am so so thankful for.
My body is really taking the toll of all of this stress, I keep reminding myself God is in control everything is okay but my body doesn’t seem to be listening. As someone with a history of panic and anxiety attacks this feels like such a step backward in my walk. Please pray for my anxiety and that I can do what I need to do to take care of myself ❤️
Praying for each of you as well that He will meet your needs in beautiful ways.
God can work all things out for our good if we love Him…we don’t have to be perfect and we will make mistakes. But God redeems and restores! Also, I do recall David’s first born was killed trying for the throne, and a few others died as well. The order is a little confusing but I think Solomon was 4th born? But God knew his future and heart…even though he strayed in his later years,.Solomons earlier years were noted by godly wisdom and following God. Also creating the temple God wanted.
The story of David and Bathsheba is a sad one indeed. But, none the less God chose to include it in His word. It shows us the humanness of David – as king and a man after God’s own heart, he was not exempt from temptation. He had a choice: give in to the temptation, or flee. He chose to give in. Bathsheba was in a difficult position. She could refuse the king and possibly face death or she could accept his invitation and live. She chose the later. Relationships can be complicated – sin spins the “spiders web” even more! It’s sad that because of David’s choice to sin innocent bystanders lost their lives – Uriah and their baby. Sin doesn’t just affect the one doing the sin, it affects all those around him.
It is so encouraging and comforting to know that God forgives our sin. He also allowed the couple to have another son, whom the Lord loved. God has a loving and tender heart. He did not hold a grudge against David and Bathsheba, he loved them and forgave them.
There is no sin that God can not forgive. Praise God for 1 John 1:9! He is faithful, He does forgive! If you are struggling to overcome sin in your own life – give it to God. Confess it and forsake it and lean into God every time you are tempted. We can have the victory because of Jesus.
Have a blessed Friday my sisters – continuing to pray for you all!!
Even though David committed a great sin against God, Uriah, and the people of Israel. God still was able to use David’s sun for good by making sure Solomon was made king after David. God can do amazing things in our lives even when we mess up and David messed up big time.
Nancy S—I hope your appointment went well yesterday. I have been praying for you for some time now. I feel your heartache as I am caring for my husband who has dementia. I would like to recommend two books that were given to me: Hope for the Caregiver by Peter Rosenberger and Grace for the Unexpected Journey by Deborah Barr. Both are great books that brought me comfort and strength. Don’t forget to take care of yourself, sweet sister!
I am praying over each request every day dear sisters. Please know that you are loved and prayed for!
Great men like David called by God are still humans and struggle with sin. When we allow ourselves to think about having something that belongs to another person, we may be tempted to do something wrong (sin) in order to get it. Coveting can lead to stealing, lying and even murder. And lead us away from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
David could have corrected his course at any point. However, because David continued to give in to his lustful desires, he ultimately committed adultery with Bathsheba. From this account, we can learn that if we choose to entertain lustful desires, we become susceptible to serious sins.
I was touched by the Lord sending word to Nathan the prophet to give Solomon the name Jedidiah (which means “Loved by the Lord”). God didn’t hold the parents sin against him.
Posted on accident. Just wondering about Bathsheba’s lineage. Her father was Eliam (possibly the one listed as one of David’s bodyguards in 2 Samuel 23:34). Eliam was a son of Ahithophel the Gilonite who was David’s priest.
I’m confused about Bathsheba. I always thought she was an Israelite not a Hittite. When it says she was the daughter of Eliam I read that he was a son of Athi
Happy Friday She’s! I guess I hadn’t focused on Bathsheba before, because the focus was on David’s sin. But, really, she had no choice when being summoned by the king. I mean, she could not have wanted to be with him (does it say?). And then she finds out he is the one that killed her husband, and she is pregnant. I’m sure all this was traumatizing. Then that first son dies. Heartbreak again. I wish we did know more of her relationship with God. But, regardless, she becomes part of King David’s story, and the mom of King Solomon, and the bloodline of Jesus Christ. So although I have always seen her as the adulterous woman, or the object of King David’s sin, today I see her as a woman with lots of problems and struggles, and probably hopeless at points…but God was able to use her for his Glory. Just like he can use each of us for his glory, no matter what we battle. If that is not comforting today for you, I pray that you reflect, and know that God IS able! He is able, if you are willing, to turn your story into good! You have a blank page this morning in your chapter, repent, and pray and trust! You can do this!! God CAN move mountains!
I am praying for mountains to be moved this morning in a family matter. It is hard to watch things happen over the years and not be able to step in and redirect, sometimes all you can do is pray and offer words of encouragement. I am praying that they (the parents) will come to God because they have seemed to reach the end of the rope. And that my grandson will not implode or self destruct. It makes me feel helpless, but I am praying for him.
Even out of sin, God can change someone’s story and use it for good. In our repentance, God, will bless others.
Romans 8:28-30
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” (And just keep on reading all the way through verse 39 :)
I wonder how often Bathsheba felt abandoned by God and struggled to trust God’s sovereign plan for her life?
I see God’s presence in Bathsheba’s story through turning the sins done against her into so something beautiful, and so important that it leads to the birth of Jesus!
A comment on yesterday’s study – Saul attempts to avoid admitting he sinned, denies it and blames others. What can I learn? Whether I admit my sins, make excuses, no matter my response to my own sin – God knows. I can lie to myself or close my eyes or try to give my sin a positive spin – it is still there and God knows all about it.
David, David, David. I never like reading about his stunning list of sins, but his admission of his sins and his repentant heart – so much mercy and grace, but consequences nevertheless. God continues to be faithful.
Did David make choices that set him up for sin? 2 Samuel 11:1 It happened in the spring of the year, AT THE TIME WHEN KINGS GO OUT TO BATTLE, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. BUT DAVID REMAINED at Jerusalem. (Emphasis mine).
Reminder to me of the temptations my choices may bring.
Bathesheba – God’s presence is there in her being protected from stoning (punishment for adultery) by David’s marriage to her, God setting her in the genealogy of Christ by being Solomon’s mother, Nathan bringing her into confidence as part of notifying David about what was going on. She had David’s respect that he listened to her, supported by his trust of Nathan.
KATIE L – thankful for your mom and an alternative plan that protects your son. Continuing to pray, especially for your ex-MIL.
NANCY – praying for you and your husband’s Alzheimer’s
ALEIDA POLANCO – praying for Victor’s treatment to be successful, as well as his job search. Praying he will cling to the Lord and be healed of the depression, anxiety and dependence on substances that are hurting rather than helping. Also praying for you as you walk with him.
Praying for the VBS sessions that are winding up today (CEE GEE, KRISTIN & others) and that the children go home with changed hearts and minds.
Amen
This story always hits me because David is a man after God heart. It amazes me that he tried to cover his sin. But once he was confronted he asked for forgiveness quickly. Today is my daughter grad party. If you can cover this day with prayer and beautiful weather. Also my pain to subside. Thank you She’s
!!!
Usually when I think of this story, it’s to focus on David’s sin and God’s forgiveness. From Bathsheba’s perspective however…I see God’s mercy and His way of turning something terrible into something promising. Bathsheba lost her valiant husband, then she lost her child. But she also got to see her next child Solomon grow up in King David’s favor. Once again, God uses some of the worst circumstances to shine his grace and favor on.
I’m struck by the faithfulness of the women we have read about the last few days. We don’t get to hear Bathsheba’s perspective on the events that happened to her but it must have been difficult to experience so much tragedy in the span of a few months. Through it all though, we can see that she remains a faithful servant to God and is ultimately blessed with being grafted into the line of Jesus. In so many ways she wasn’t “supposed” to be part of that story: she was a Hittite, married to a different man, and then her son with David died as a baby. Bathsheba didn’t know the ending of her story but she still remained faithful in the trials.
Praying for all the VBS’s wrapping up this week!
SHARON JERSEY GIRL, MERCY, and KELLY NEO – Thanks so much for your sweet and encouraging comments yesterday and this morning!!!!❤.
TO ALL OF YOU who have been praying for me and our VBS – THANK YOU!!! I actually did not have a good night – too excited, I guess, but I am going in there knowing I have this AWEmazing army of women behind me!!! I could not have done this without your prayers. I love you all and lift you in prayer. I have been too busy to make a list of all who mentioned praying for me, but you know who you are and I think I called you all out each day! Thanks again to SEARCHING for reminding us to pray throughout the summer for all VBS!
KELLY NEO – love your comment on the reading. I will read now and comment later and give a report on the day. Hugs to all!
So thankful for His grace and forgiveness that can take a hopeless situation and make it beautiful.
Forgiveness, protection, mercy and grace. Also justice.
Another instance of God redeeming evil for His glory. Bathsheba, a Hittite woman, had joined the covenant people with her husband. I say this because she was practicing the law (“purifying herself from her uncleanness”) when David saw her bathing.
God did not forsake her after she was a victim of not only David’s abuse of power, but also his sexual violence and murder.
God honored her by choosing her son to be the “chosen seed” of the Messiah.
CEE GEE – as you wrap up VBS, praying the hearts of the children have been turned toward the Lord and they will place their trust in Him for salvation.