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David and Bathsheba

& Uriah

2 Samuel 11

King David arranged the death of Uriah to cover up unplanned pregnancy.

From both the historical context and from the language used to tell the story of David's infidelity, we can see why God held David accountable.

The author of 2 Samuel 11 records David's name 23 times but Bathsheba's only once. And even then, a servant used her name to warn David of who she was (see 2 Sam 11:3).

For she was the wife of Uriah, one of his mighty men (see 2 Sam 23:39, 1 Chron 11:41), the daughter of Eliam, also one of his mighty men (see 2 Sam 23:34), and the granddaughter of Ahithophel (see 2 Sam 23:34), David’s counselor (see 2 Sam 15:12, 31). Bathsheba is not referenced by name again until David comforted her after their child died (see 2 Sam 12:24).

In the story often titled "David and Bathsheba," we can find the need to take responsibility for infidelity and for murder, the benefits of repentance, the spiritual advantages of restoration, and the residual effects of sin.

This web page addresses responsibility. To learn about David's road to repentance, read the David and Nathan page.

When I told my pastor that God had led me to the story of David and Bathsheba as I sought answers about my abortion, he said that his seminary professor pointed out that this story is focused on David's actions, his attempt to control. Seeking answers for myself, I studied 2 Samuel 11 and 12 with a renewed attention to details.

In David's story, I found the need to take responsibility, the benefits of repentance, the spiritual advantages of restoration, and the residual effects of his sin.

This web page addresses the infidelity. To learn about David's road to repentance, read the David and Uriah page.

David and Bathsheba's Infidelity

David's Responsibility

King David was responsible for his adultery and for murdering Uriah, but he did not recognize his responsibility for about 9 months.

David's Responsibility to Know the Law

The king was responsible for knowing the law according to Deuteronomy 17:18-20, and of course adultery is against the law (Ex 20:14, Deut 5:18) as is murder (Ex 20:13; Deut 5:17)—both of which had legal consequences of capital punishment (Lev 20:10; 24:17).

David's Actions

2 Samuel 11:1-5

Here is a list of David's actions before Nathan confronted him:

v. 1

At the time when kings go out to battle... David stayed in Jerusalem.

Why did David, the king and a mighty warrior, stay home while sending others to fight on his behalf?

v. 2

David got up and walked around on his own roof. David saw a woman.

The Bible does not say that Bathsheba was on her roof. It was evening and David got out of bed, so was it so late that Bathsheba did not expect anyone to see her?

In addition to "seeing," the Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon includes "to be pleased with the sight, as the eye lingers on objects of pleasure," which is supported by Strong's definition including "spying, staring."

v. 3

David inquired about the woman. David heard this question: "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, wife of Uriah the Hittite?"

Eliam and Uriah were among David’s Mighty Men (2 Sam 23:34, 39; 1 Chron 11:31). David’s counselor, Ahithophel, was the father of Eliam and therefore Bathsheba's grandfather (2 Sam 23:34; 15:12, 31).

Uriah is always referred to as "Uriah the Hittite," so he must be a warrior who joined David when David was running from Saul.

v. 4

David took her. David lay with her.

David Arranged Uriah's Death

2 Samuel 11:6-27

v. 6

David sent for Uriah.

v. 7-13

David attempted to deceive Uriah.

v. 14-15

David ordered Uriah's death.

v. 16-17

Joab helped cover David's sins by allowing other valiant men to die along with Uriah even though David said "pull back from him (Uriah)" in verse 15.

v. 27

David had Bathsheba brought to his house, and she became his wife.

Bathsheba's Experience

Was Bathsheba Raped?

Some Jewish and Christian scholars assert that David raped Bathsheba, but the Hebrew word for "force" used in the story of Shechem raping Dinah (see Gen 34:2) and in the story of Amnon raping Tamar (see 2 Sam 13:12-14) is not used in the story of David and Bathsheba.

Was Bathsheba a Willing Participant in Adultery?

The "David and Bathsheba" story is often told with equal responsibility placed on both David and Bathsheba, but through Nathan, as recorded in 2 Samuel 12, God solely held David accountable. Why is that?

David was the king, who commanded an army. Bathsheba was the wife and daughter of his soldiers and the granddaughter of the king's adviser. Surely Bathsheba would consider the consequences for her husband and father and grandfather if she were to refuse the king.

Nothing in scripture indicates that Bathsheba purposely exposed herself to the king. Nor does scripture say that she was on her roof; it says that David was on his own roof (see 2 Sam 11:2).

Bathsheba's Family Served King David

Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, and her father, Eliam, were among David’s Mighty Men (see 2 Sam 23:34, 39; 1 Chron 11:31).

Bathsheba's grandfather, Ahithophel, was David’s counselor (2 Sam 23:34; 15:12, 31).

Bathsheba Referenced with Pronouns

We can see that the emphasis is on David's actions, not Bathsheba's, by highlighting when and how she is referenced.

2 Samuel 11

v. 2

a woman, the woman

v. 3

woman, Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, wife of Uriah the Hittite

v. 4

pronouns (her, she)

v. 5

the woman

v. 11

Uriah refers to her as "my wife"

v. 26

wife of Uriah

v. 27

pronouns (her, she)

Name or Pronouns?

Between the first reference to Bathsheba by name in 1 Samuel 11:3 and the second reference to Bathsheba by name in 2 Samuel 12:24, David attempted to deceive Uriah, had Uriah killed, was confronted by Nathan, and fasted while his baby was sick.

Meanwhile, Bathsheba mourned the death of her husband, gave birth to her son, and mourned the death of her son.

God Held David Accountable

In the next chapter, God confronted David with his sins, not Bathsheba. To learn more, go to the David and Nathan page.

Reaching the Abortion-Minded

Women May Listen

Women expect to be blamed (as Eve often is and as the woman caught in adultery was). When you acknowledge King David's responsibility, you catch the attention of women.

Women understand the power differences between a man who is a leader and a woman who is not. Women also understand the concern of leaders, whether overtly or subtly, pose a threat to their families.

And women who believe God is misogynistic may begin to listen to God's Word if they hear that David was responsible for this soap opera.

Men May Realize Their Responsibility

Although you don't hear much about men and abortion in the national news, baby daddies are anything but silent. According to a Care Net study, baby daddies are the number one influence on a woman's choice.

Men pay for abortions, drive women to get abortions, or sit with them while they abort using the pills (plural—5 pills). Some men coerce women to abort. Some men force women to abort (e.g., sex trafficking).

Some men are innocent, of course, their children victims of women's choices made in spite of the man's desire to parent or made without his knowledge.

Sermon Notes

Psalm 51

Using Ken Davis' score method, here are some sermon topic ideas.

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