Bible character overview - Bathsheba
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Time to read 4 min
Introduction:
Welcome to an insightful character overview of Bathsheba. Here you'll learn about who Bathsheba was, what she did, and her strengths and weaknesses. Also, we have provided questions related to the story of Bathsheba to provoke thought. They can also be used for personal/small-group studies.
Who was Bathsheba from the Bible?
Key facts
- When: roughly around 1000 - 901 B.C
- Where: Jerusalem
- Name meaning: 'Daughter of the oath'
Glimpse: Bathsheba was a normal woman who quickly found herself as the wife and mother of a king. She experienced traumatic situations in her life but she kept pushing forward and was a great wife and mother. She made sure to leave her print on the world as she fought for her son, King Solomon, to be king.
Bathsheba and King David
Bathsheba was initially married to Uriah and later became the wife of King David. She was the daughter of Eliam, one of David's mighty men. One evening, while Bathsheba was bathing on her rooftop, King David saw her from his palace. Attracted by her beauty, David sent for her to be brought to him.
David's actions led to a grave situation: he arranged for her husband, Uriah, who was serving as a soldier, to be placed at the frontline of battle, where he was killed. Following Uriah's death, David married Bathsheba, and she became pregnant. However, as a consequence of David's adultery and Uriah's murder, the child they conceived died.
Later, Bathsheba gave birth to another son, Solomon, who became a renowned king of Israel.
Questions
→ Have you ever wondered why certain things have happened to you?
→ How has your relationship with God helped you through those things?
"From the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. So David sent someone to inquire about her, and he said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite?"
Solomon as king
Bathsheba, demonstrating her significant role in the royal succession, played a crucial part in ensuring Solomon became king. As David was nearing the end of his life, Bathsheba, with the help of the prophet Nathan, orchestrated a plan to secure Solomon's position on the throne.
In 1 Kings 1:11-14, Nathan approaches Bathsheba with a strategic plan:
"Then Nathan said to Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, ‘Have you not heard that Adonijah, the son of Haggith, has become king, and our lord David does not know it? Now please come and let me advise you. Save your life and the life of your son Solomon. Go, approach King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your servant: Your son Solomon is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne? So why has Adonijah become king?’ At that moment, while you are still there speaking with the king, I’ll come in after you and confirm your words.’"
Following this plan, Bathsheba approaches David, and Nathan backs her claims. As a result, David officially declares Solomon as his successor. Bathsheba's decisive action and alliance with Nathan ensured Solomon's ascent to the throne, solidifying his reign as king of Israel.
Questions
→ How important are mothers in the lives of their sons?
→ Have you ever found yourself in a position outside of your depth? How did you handle this? Was it overwhelming?
"just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel: Your son Solomon is to become king after me, and he is the one who is to sit on my throne in my place, that is exactly what I will do this very day.''
Strengths:
- Fortitude: After all she faced and went through, she kept pushing
- Influence: Alongside prophet Nathan, she made sure her son was the one who took the throne after Nathan
Weaknesses:
- N/A
Conclusion
We can learn from Bathsheba that no matter what you have gone through, God can still use you for great things and give you a great legacy. Also, Bathsheba represents a strong mother and wife and she knew what she wanted and didn't let anything get in the way of that. Bad things happening can either send you into despair and isolation, or you can allow God in His sovereignty to use these things for good and seek Him regardless of your situation.
''For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life''
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