Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: Takes Bath-Sheba to be his Wife

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David, the second king of Israel, is a central figure in the biblical narrative, known for his profound relationship with God, his military conquests, and his role in establishing Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center of Israel. However, one of the most significant and controversial episodes in David's life is his relationship with Bath-Sheba, which is detailed in 2 Samuel 11-12.

The Incident with Bath-Sheba

The account begins in 2 Samuel 11:1, during the springtime when kings typically went to war. David, however, remained in Jerusalem while his army, led by Joab, besieged the Ammonite city of Rabbah. One evening, David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of his palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman bathing. Her name was Bath-Sheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty men (2 Samuel 11:2-3).

Overcome by desire, David sent messengers to bring Bath-Sheba to him, and he lay with her. She later sent word to David that she was pregnant (2 Samuel 11:4-5). In an attempt to conceal his sin, David summoned Uriah from the battlefield, hoping he would go home and sleep with his wife, thus providing a cover for the pregnancy. However, Uriah, demonstrating loyalty to his fellow soldiers, refused to enjoy the comforts of home while the Ark and Israel's army were encamped in the open field (2 Samuel 11:6-11).

David's Sin Escalates

When his initial plan failed, David resorted to a more sinister scheme. He instructed Joab to place Uriah at the forefront of the fiercest battle and then withdraw from him, ensuring his death. Joab complied, and Uriah was killed in battle (2 Samuel 11:14-17). After a period of mourning, David took Bath-Sheba as his wife, and she bore him a son (2 Samuel 11:26-27). However, "the thing David had done displeased the LORD" (2 Samuel 11:27).

Nathan's Rebuke and David's Repentance

The prophet Nathan confronted David with a parable about a rich man who took a poor man's only lamb. David, incensed by the injustice, declared that the man deserved to die. Nathan then revealed that David was the man in the parable, having despised the word of the LORD by taking Uriah's wife and having Uriah killed (2 Samuel 12:1-9).

David's response was one of genuine repentance. He confessed, "I have sinned against the LORD" (2 Samuel 12:13). Nathan assured David that the LORD had taken away his sin, but the consequences of his actions would bring calamity upon his house, and the child born to Bath-Sheba would die (2 Samuel 12:10-14).

The Aftermath

Despite the death of their first child, David and Bath-Sheba's union was later blessed with another son, Solomon, whom the LORD loved (2 Samuel 12:24-25). Solomon would succeed David as king and build the Temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling God's promise to David of an enduring dynasty.

This episode in David's life serves as a profound reminder of the gravity of sin, the necessity of repentance, and the enduring mercy of God. David's heartfelt contrition is immortalized in Psalm 51, a poignant expression of repentance and a plea for divine forgiveness.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Samuel 11:26,27
And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Image of Self.
... This is David anointed King over all Israel. ... a mighty warrior, a sweet poet,""No,
no!" says David, "It is the ... Let no man call me a good king, I gave over the ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lx the image of self.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... From The Death Of David To The Death Of Ahab. ... CHAPTER 2. Concerning Ahaziah;
The King Of Israel; And Again Concerning The Prophet Elijah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

David's Sin in the Matter of Uriah.
... noble exertions to subdue the enemies of Israel, amidst which ... Joab knew indeed that
the king wished the death of ... not have put on mourning, or David delayed to ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon x davids sin in.htm

The Fifth Commandment
... had like to have taken it, sent for king David, that he ... Now Israel loved Joseph more
than all his children, and ... commanded his son Jonathan to bring David to him ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 5 the fifth commandment.htm

The Seventh Commandment
... the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth, that ... The concubine of
King Edward III, when he was dying ... When David was idle on the top of his house ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 7 the seventh commandment.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... it is this office of the Messiah which, in the Old Testament, generally takes a
prominent ... He liked me to make me king over all Israel." David here points ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... him the father of Moab and Ammon, [399] Israel's enemies, of ... David was a man after
God's own heart, and his ... evil in Thy sight." [423] Being a king he feared no ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

Tit. 2:06 Thoughts for Young Men
... It is the book from which King David got wisdom and ... Israel was commanded to slay
every Canaanite, both great and ... If David had not given occasion to the devil ...
/.../chapter xix tit 2 6 thoughts.htm

The Alleged Discrepancy in the Gospels in Regard to the Genealogy ...
... the names of the generations were reckoned in Israel either according ... by a decree
of the senate, made King of the ... [111] Nathan was a son of David and Bathsheba ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vii the alleged discrepancy in.htm

Letter Lii. To Nepotian.
... is accordingly sought from the coasts of Israel"Abishag the Shunamite"to sleep with
the king and warm ... Isaac counted twice the years of David, yet never ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lii to nepotian.htm