Bath-Sheba, often referred to as Bathsheba, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, primarily known for her involvement in an episode of adultery with King David. This event is recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in 2 Samuel 11 and 12. Bath-Sheba was the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty warriors.

The account begins when King David, during a time when kings typically went to war, remained in Jerusalem. One evening, from the rooftop of his palace, David saw Bath-Sheba bathing. Captivated by her beauty, he inquired about her and discovered her identity. Despite knowing she was married to Uriah, David sent messengers to bring her to him, and he lay with her, resulting in her conceiving a child.

This act of adultery was a grave sin, violating the commandments of God. David's actions were not only a personal moral failure but also an abuse of his kingly power. In an attempt to conceal the sin, David summoned Uriah from the battlefield, hoping he would go home to his wife and thus provide a cover for the pregnancy. However, Uriah, demonstrating loyalty and integrity, refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were in battle.

Frustrated by Uriah's righteousness, David orchestrated a plan to have him killed. He instructed Joab, the commander of his army, to place Uriah at the front lines of the fiercest battle and then withdraw support, ensuring Uriah's death. After Uriah's death, Bath-Sheba mourned for her husband, and David subsequently took her as his wife. She bore him a son, but the Lord was displeased with David's actions.

The prophet Nathan was sent by God to confront David. Through a parable, Nathan revealed David's sin, leading to David's repentance. Despite David's contrition, the consequences of his sin were severe. Nathan declared that the sword would never depart from David's house, and the child born to Bath-Sheba would die. Indeed, the child fell ill and died shortly after birth, fulfilling Nathan's prophecy.

Bath-Sheba later bore David another son, Solomon, who would become one of Israel's greatest kings. Despite the initial circumstances of their union, Bath-Sheba played a crucial role in the royal lineage, as Solomon was chosen by God to succeed David and build the temple in Jerusalem.

The story of Bath-Sheba and David serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive nature of sin and the importance of repentance. It underscores the themes of human frailty, divine justice, and mercy. While Bath-Sheba's initial introduction into the biblical narrative is marked by sin, her later life reflects redemption and significance in God's plan for Israel.

References:
- 2 Samuel 11-12
- 1 Kings 1-22 Samuel 11:2-5
And it came to pass in an evening, that David arose from off 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 look on.
Nave's Topical Index

How David Fell in Love with Bathsheba, and Slew Her Husband Uriah ...
... one of extraordinary beauty, and therein surpassed all other women; her name was
Bathsheba. ... laws of their fathers, she who had been guilty of adultery ought to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how david fell.htm

A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows.
... you remember, David was walking upon the roof of the king's house, and he saw Bathsheba,
and lusted after her, and committed the awful sin of adultery; and then ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iv a man expects.htm

The Tears of the Penitent.
... Bathsheba's willing complicity, her punctilious observance of ceremonial propriety
while she is ... if it be possible, the foul form of adultery; the stinging ...
/.../maclaren/the life of david/xiii the tears of the penitent.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... especially the case when sin, and punishment in consequence of sin, broke in upon
them, as, for instance, after David's adultery with Bathsheba, and oftentimes ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

The Reign of David.
... reached a climax in his trespass with Bathsheba, the wife ... the course of nature in
condemning adultery as worthy ... 1) The death of his child born to Bath-sheba. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

David and Nathan
... to him with a kind of ugly surprise when the naked words 'adultery' and 'murder ... David
had done Bathsheba and Uriah, and in them his whole kingdom, foul wrong ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/david and nathan.htm

The Seventh Commandment
... When David was idle on the top of his house, he espied Bathsheba, and took her to
him.2 Sam 11: 4. Jerome gave ... 12) To avoid fornication and adultery, let every ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 7 the seventh commandment.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments (Continued)
... When God smote the child born of Bathsheba, because David had by his grievous ... Nathan,
by command of God, uncovered David's two great sins of adultery and murder ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/ii praying saints of the.htm

Of Matrimony.
... a most holy man, married Bathsheba the wife of Uriah, though both these crimes had
been committed; that is, though she had been polluted by adultery and her ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/of matrimony.htm

The History of David
... of adultery and also of homicide. Therefore God took away this sin, and forgave
it him, but the son that she brought forth died. And after this Bathsheba, that ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

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