Bathsheba is an important figure in the Old Testament, most well known for her appearance in the story of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11-12. Here is an overview of what the Bible tells us about Bathsheba:
She was the wife of Uriah the Hittite
Bathsheba was originally married to a man named Uriah, who was identified as “Uriah the Hittite” (2 Samuel 11:3). The Hittites were a pagan people group living in the land of Canaan. However, Uriah had converted to the Jewish faith and was serving loyally in King David’s army (2 Samuel 11:6-11).
David committed adultery with her
The famous story involves King David seeing Bathsheba bathing from the rooftop of his palace. David lusted after her beauty and ordered for her to be brought to him, after which he committed adultery with her (2 Samuel 11:2-4). This was despite the Law forbidding adultery (Exodus 20:14).
She became pregnant with David’s child
Bathsheba soon found out she was pregnant from her encounter with David (2 Samuel 11:5). This posed a major dilemma, as it was clear the child was not Uriah’s since he had been away at battle. She informed David, who schemed to try to cover up their sin.
David arranged for Uriah’s death
David first ordered Uriah home from battle in hopes he would sleep with Bathsheba and think the child was his own. However, Uriah’s integrity prevented this (2 Samuel 11:6-13). So David arranged for Uriah to be abandoned in battle and killed (2 Samuel 11:14-25).
She became David’s wife after Uriah’s death
After the customary mourning period for Uriah had passed, David took Bathsheba as his own wife (2 Samuel 11:27). She gave birth to a son. However, this marriage began in sin and illegitimacy.
Their child died as punishment for the sin
The prophet Nathan confronted David about his grievous sins, announcing that the child would die as punishment (2 Samuel 12:1-14). After seven days of pleading and fasting by David, the child did indeed pass away (2 Samuel 12:15-19). David then comforted Bathsheba, and she later conceived and bore another son, Solomon.
She was the mother of King Solomon
Bathsheba’s next son born to David was Solomon, who ended up succeeding David as king of Israel (2 Samuel 12:24). God showed mercy in allowing this child of sin to live and become part of the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:6). Solomon went on to have a mostly righteous reign filled with wisdom, wealth, and power.
She later advocated for Solomon
In David’s old age and infirmity, his son Adonijah attempted to seize the throne. Bathsheba went to David and reminded him of his oath that Solomon would succeed him as king (1 Kings 1:11-21). This advocacy secured the throne for Solomon.
She was granted a request by Solomon
After David’s death and Solomon’s ascension as king, Solomon honored his mother by granting her a royal request, which she used to ask for mercy for Adonijah (1 Kings 2:13-25). This shows Solomon respected Bathsheba’s role as queen mother.
Lessons from Bathsheba’s life
Though Bathsheba was acted upon and taken advantage of by David in sinful ways, there are still valuable lessons that can be learned from her life:
- God’s grace can redeem people from any sin or circumstance.
- Children are not to be punished for the sins of their parents.
- Advocating for others is important, as Bathsheba did for Solomon.
- Beauty on the outside means nothing without inner dignity and virtue.
- Staying faithful to one’s spouse is vital for a strong marriage.
Bathsheba in biblical prophecy
Bathsheba makes one further notable appearance in Scripture at the end of King David’s story. In Zechariah 12, God says He will “pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10). This prophecy indicates those in Jerusalem, including descendants like Bathsheba, will one day mourn over Christ after looking upon the one they pierced, meaning they will realize He is their Messiah.
Bathsheba in biblical genealogies
As the wife of King David and mother of King Solomon, Bathsheba appears in a few biblical genealogies. Most significantly, she is mentioned in Matthew 1:6 in the genealogy of Jesus:
and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah
(Matthew 1:6)
This inclusion shows God’s redemption at work – using a relationship that began in sin as part of the lineage of Christ. Bathsheba is also listed in 1 Chronicles 3:5 as the daughter of Ammiel and the mother of King Solomon.
Bathsheba’s character and motivations
Bathsheba’s character is difficult to fully assess, since her role in the biblical account is limited. However, a few potential insights emerge:
- She was likely an honorable woman caught in the abuse of power by the king.
- As a married woman, she should have refused the king’s summons.
- She courageously reported her resulting pregnancy to King David.
- She did not remain bitter but found forgiveness after her first child died.
- She used her position to advocate for her son Solomon’s rightful kingship.
Overall, Bathsheba seems to have made the best of very challenging circumstances, finding redemption in becoming the mother of the wise King Solomon and part of the lineage of Christ.
Bathsheba’s legacy and impact
Though her story involves moral failure, Bathsheba still leaves behind an important legacy in several ways:
- She gave birth to the heir to the kingdom in Solomon.
- She influenced King David and King Solomon at crucial moments.
- She provides a remarkable example of God’s grace and redemption.
- She is an ancestor to Christ as the wife of King David.
- She shows how God can use anyone in His sovereign plans.
For these reasons, Bathsheba stands out as a notable female figure in Scripture despite her moral compromises. God was able to transform her circumstances for good.
Discussion of Bathsheba’s significance and meaning
There are various perspectives on the significance of Bathsheba’s story in the Bible:
- A victim of abuse of power – Some see her primarily as someone taken advantage of by King David’s abuse of royal authority for his lust.
- Example of sinful lust and adultery – Her story illustrates the grievousness of sins like lust, adultery and murder in God’s eyes.
- God’s grace and redemption – Bathsheba represents how God can restore brokenness and bring blessing from sin and tragedy.
- Important influence on Solomon and David – As queen, she impacted two of Israel’s most important kings for good.
- Honorable advocate and mother – She courageously advocated for her son Solomon and raised him well in most respects.
- Undeveloped character – Little is revealed about her overall character and motivations in Scripture.
In the end, Bathsheba’s story likely carries many nuances, highlighting the devastating effects of sin as well as the restorative power of God’s mercy and grace. She emerges as an imperfect but important matriarch of ancient Israel.
Timeline of Bathsheba’s life
Here is an approximate timeline showing the major events involving Bathsheba according to Scripture:
- Before 1020 BCE – Bathsheba marries Uriah the Hittite.
- Around 1000 BCE – David sees her bathing and commits adultery with her.
- Around 1000 BCE – She becomes pregnant and informs David.
- Around 1000 BCE – David arranges the death of Uriah.
- Around 1000 BCE – David marries Bathsheba after a mourning period.
- Around 1000 BCE – Their first child dies as prophesied due to David’s sin.
- Around 990 BCE – Solomon is born to Bathsheba and David.
- Around 970 BCE – She secures the throne for Solomon.
- Around 931 BCE – Solomon honors her request regarding Adonijah.
This covers the span involved in her interactions with King David and King Solomon until Solomon takes the throne.
Bathsheba’s cultural background
Here are some key points about the cultural background that shape Bathsheba’s story:
- She was a Hittite, indicating possible pagan influences in her early life.
- As a king’s wife in ancient Israel, producing an heir was extremely important.
- Adultery was a grave sin punishable by death under Mosaic law.
- Ancient Near East kings often had absolute power over subjects.
- As a woman, she had limited power and autonomy in her relationships.
- Polygamy was commonly practiced among kings like David.
- Her advocacy for Solomon reflected the authority of the queen mother.
- God’s covenant with David shaped expectations for his descendants on the throne.
Understanding these cultural dynamics helps put Bathsheba’s story in proper context and perspective.
Key Bible passages about Bathsheba
Here are some of the most important Bible verses that discuss Bathsheba:
And David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. (Now she had been purifying herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned to her house. And the woman conceived, and she sent and told David, “I am pregnant.” (2 Samuel 11:4-5)
When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. (2 Samuel 11:26-27a)
Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and went in to her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. (2 Samuel 12:24a)
Then Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him on behalf of Adonijah. And the king rose to meet her and bowed down to her. Then he sat on his throne and had a seat brought for the king’s mother, and she sat on his right. (1 Kings 2:19)
These passages give insights into key moments and roles in her relationship with David and Solomon.
Bathsheba’s strengths and weaknesses
Based on the biblical account, here are some of Bathsheba’s key strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths:
- Bravery in reporting her pregnancy to King David
- Perseverance through the loss of her first child
- Shrewdness in advocating for Solomon to be king
- Dignity and restraint in response to her compromising circumstances
- Motherly devotion in raising up Solomon
Weaknesses:
- Possible temptation by the flattery of David’s advances
- Lack of refusal to obey David’s summons while married to Uriah
- Seeming acquiescence to becoming another of David’s wives
- Little is said regarding her spirituality or relationship with God
Like all biblical figures, Bathsheba has a mixture of both virtues and flaws. But God was able to work through her life despite her moral compromises.
Conclusion
In summary, Bathsheba plays a small but significant role in Scripture as the wife of King David, mother of King Solomon, and ancestor of Jesus Christ. Her story reveals the destructive power of sin and the amazing redeeming grace of God. Despite her moral compromises, Bathsheba advocates for Solomon, influences two kings, and finds herself in the lineage of the Messiah. Though imperfect, she stands as a remarkable example of God using broken people in His divine plan of redemption and restoration.