What is the story of David and Bathsheba?

Response

The tale of David and Bathsheba is one of the most gripping stories in the Old Testament. One evening in Jerusalem, King David was strolling on his rooftop when he noticed a lovely woman bathing nearby “And it happened in the evening, that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.”, (2 Samuel 11:2). David inquired about her from his servants and learned she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David’s valiant warriors “Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all.”, (2 Samuel 23:39). Despite her being married, David called Bathsheba to the palace, and they lay together.

Later, Bathsheba discovered she was pregnant “And the woman conceived, and sent word to David, saying, ‘I am with child.'” , (2 Samuel 11:5), and she informed David. The king’s response was to try to conceal his wrongdoing. David ordered Uriah to return to him from the battlefield. Bathsheba’s husband obediently responded to David’s call, and David sent him home, hoping Uriah would sleep with Bathsheba to cover up the pregnancy. Instead of following David’s instructions, Uriah slept among the palace servants, refusing to indulge with Bathsheba while his comrades on the battlefield were still in danger’s path (2 Samuel 11:9-11). Uriah did the same thing the following night, demonstrating integrity in stark contrast to David’s lack thereof.

It became evident that David and Bathsheba’s affair could not be concealed in that manner. David devised a second, more sinister scheme: he ordered his military commander, Joab, to position Uriah at the forefront of the battle and then to withdraw from him intentionally, leaving Uriah vulnerable to enemy attack. Joab carried out the order, resulting in Uriah’s death in battle. After a period of mourning, Bathsheba became David’s wife and bore him a son. However, as noted in 2 Samuel 11:27, “But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.”

When David and Bathsheba’s child was born, the Lord sent the prophet Nathan to rebuke David. Nathan employed a parable: a wealthy man seized a poor man’s only lamb and killed it, despite having numerous flocks of his own. David, a former shepherd, was so incensed by this tale, which he believed to be true, that he exclaimed, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die! He must make restitution for the lamb four times over, because he did such a thing without pity” (2 Samuel 12:5-6).

Nathan then pointed at David and uttered the chilling words, “You are the man!” «And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; », (2 Samuel 12:7). David was the one responsible for this transgression, and his household would face consequences in the form of ongoing strife. David repented (see Psalm 51), and Nathan declared, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You will not die. However, because you have shown utter contempt for the LORD by doing this, the child born to you will die” (2 Samuel 12:13-14). The child passed away a week later, and David’s household experienced

David experienced further hardship in later years. In total, four of David’s sons suffered untimely deaths—the “four times over” judgment David had pronounced upon himself.

In the account of David and Bathsheba, we find many lessons. First, secret sin will be exposed. Second, God will forgive anyone who repents. Third, sin’s consequences persist even after forgiveness. Fourth, God can work even in challenging situations. In fact, David and Bathsheba’s next son, Solomon, became the heir to the throne. Even in difficult circumstances, God has a plan that fulfills His sovereign purpose.