Lexical Summary Bath-sheba: Bathsheba Original Word: בַּת־שֶׁבַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Bath- sheba From bath and sheba' (in the sense of shaba'); daughter of an oath; Bath-Sheba, the mother of Solomon -- Bath- sheba. see HEBREW bath see HEBREW sheba' see HEBREW shaba' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom bath and perhaps shaba Definition perhaps "daughter of oath," the mother of Solomon NASB Translation Bathsheba (10). Brown-Driver-Briggs בַּתשֶֿׁ֫בַע proper name, feminine (daughter of oath ? compare אֱלִישֶׁ֫בַע) wife of Uriah 2 Samuel 11:3; Psalm 50:2; afterwards of David, & mother Solomon 2 Samuel 12:24; 1 Kings 1:11,15,16,31; 1 Kings 2:13,18,19; בַּתשָֿׁ֑בַע 1 Kings 1:28; compare also following Topical Lexicon Family and Early Identity Bathsheba first appears as “the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite” (2 Samuel 11:3). Her father likely belonged to David’s elite warriors (2 Samuel 23:34), situating her within the covenant community and underscoring the gravity of David’s later breach of trust. Uriah, though a Hittite by descent, was likewise a loyal soldier in Israel’s army, further heightening the ethical and covenantal dimensions of the narrative. The Sin of David and Bathsheba David’s desire culminated in adultery and the arranged death of Uriah. Scripture is unflinching: “So David sent someone to inquire about the woman… ‘This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite’” (2 Samuel 11:3). The events that follow expose the destructive cascade of unchecked lust, deception, and abuse of royal power. Bathsheba’s own voice is largely absent in the account, drawing attention to David’s responsibility for the transgression. Divine Confrontation, Judgment, and Mercy Nathan’s parable (2 Samuel 12) led David to repentance and Psalm 51. The psalm’s superscription forever links Bathsheba to the theology of confession: “A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba” (Psalm 51 superscription). Though their firstborn died in judgment, grace prevailed: “Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba… she gave birth to a son, and he named him Solomon. And the LORD loved him” (2 Samuel 12:24). God’s dealings uphold both justice and covenant mercy. Mother of Solomon and the Royal Succession In 1 Kings 1 Bathsheba becomes an active participant in securing the promised succession. Nathan prompts her: “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David knows nothing about it?” (1 Kings 1:11). She enters the chamber, bows, and petitions her ailing husband. David swears by the LORD that Solomon will reign, and Bathsheba’s advocacy safeguards the Davidic covenant line. Influence in the Early Reign of Solomon Adonijah later approaches Bathsheba, hoping her intercession will secure Abishag as his wife (1 Kings 2:13–18). Her willingness to convey the request shows her continued prominence. Solomon’s reaction—granting her a throne at his right hand yet firmly executing judgment against Adonijah (1 Kings 2:19–25)—illustrates both filial honor and uncompromising fidelity to divine purposes. Place in the Messianic Genealogy Matthew records, “David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah” (Matthew 1:6), intentionally recalling the scandal yet displaying God’s sovereign grace. Bathsheba thus stands in the direct ancestry of Jesus Christ, demonstrating that redeemed sinners participate in God’s redemptive plan. Possible Wisdom Tradition Connection While not explicit, many identify Bathsheba as the mother teaching the royal son in Proverbs 31. The internal evidence (royal address, maternal voice) coheres with her queen-mother status, offering a portrait of virtuous womanhood born out of personal experience with sin, grace, and palace life. Theological Themes 1. Human frailty and divine holiness—David’s sin with Bathsheba reveals the depths of human failure even among God’s anointed. Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship • Leaders must guard personal holiness; private compromise breeds public catastrophe. Forms and Transliterations שֶׁ֔בַע שֶׁ֖בַע שֶׁ֙בַע֙ שֶׁ֣בַע שֶׁ֤בֶע שֶׁ֤בַע שָֽׁבַע׃ שָׁ֑בַע שבע שבע׃ šā·ḇa‘ šāḇa‘ še·ḇa‘ še·ḇe‘ šeḇa‘ šeḇe‘ Shava Sheva SheveLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 11:3 HEB: זֹאת֙ בַּת־ שֶׁ֣בַע בַּת־ אֱלִיעָ֔ם NAS: Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter KJV: And [one] said, [Is] not this Bathsheba, the daughter INT: not likewise Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam 2 Samuel 12:24 1 Kings 1:11 1 Kings 1:15 1 Kings 1:16 1 Kings 1:28 1 Kings 1:31 1 Kings 2:13 1 Kings 2:18 1 Kings 2:19 Psalm 51:1 11 Occurrences |
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