Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty men. While her husband was at war, David saw her from his roof, sent for her, and slept with her. She sent him three words: I am pregnant. David tried to cover it up, and when that failed he had Uriah killed in battle and married her.
The prophet Nathan exposed David, and their child died. Scripture says David comforted his wife, and she bore Solomon, whom the LORD loved. Years later, when another son tried to seize the throne, Bathsheba went to the aging David with Nathan and secured the crown for Solomon. Matthew names her in Jesus' family line as the wife of Uriah.
“
I am pregnant.
Name means
“Daughter of an oath” or “daughter of abundance”
Home
Jerusalem
Role
Wife of Uriah, then of David; mother of Solomon
Read in
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Bathsheba's story
The courtyard below the palace
Beginning
Taken by the king
David sees her, sends for her, and she conceives.
Low point
Uriah killed
David has her husband killed; she mourns him, then is brought into the palace.
Low point
The child dies
After Nathan's rebuke, their son becomes sick and dies.
Turning point
Solomon born
David comforts her; she bears Solomon, whom the LORD loves.
Ending
Queen mother
She secures the throne for Solomon and sits at his right hand.
Starts as the wife of a loyal soldier. Ends as the queen mother in the line of Jesus.
Where Bathsheba lived and went
Only places Scripture records. Softer, dotted pins are traditional or uncertain sites. Tap a pin for the passage.
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Bathsheba's story happens in Jerusalem.
How Bathsheba is wired
Why there's no type here
Scripture tells us what was done to Bathsheba and later what she did, but gives too little of her inner life to type her honestly.
Strengths & struggles
What's good in Bathsheba
Mourned her husband (). Acted boldly and wisely to secure Solomon's throne (). Honored as queen mother ().
Where Bathsheba struggles
She brought Adonijah's request to Solomon without seeing its danger ().
What Bathsheba wanted most
In her later years, that Solomon would reign as David had sworn ().
What Bathsheba feared most
That she and Solomon would be counted offenders if Adonijah reigned ().
Matthew names Bathsheba in the line of Jesus. The family of the Messiah carries its wounds openly.
Matthew writes, David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah (). He does not hide what happened. Jesus came from a family marked by sin and harm, to heal people who have been sinned against and to forgive people who have sinned ().
Questions to sit with
1
Bathsheba's story includes what was done to her and what she later chose. How does God meet you in both?
2
Matthew does not hide her in Jesus' family tree. What part of your story are you afraid God will be ashamed of?
Study Bathsheba with your group
Ready-to-lead group studies with discussion questions and a leader's note are on the way.
