United monarchy · c. 990–970 BC
Bathsheba in the Bible
The mother of Solomon. Name meaning: Meaning uncertain, probably “daughter of the oath”; Chronicles calls her Bath-shua (1 Chr 3:5)
The wife of Uriah the Hittite, Bathsheba is seen by David, who sends for her and then has her husband killed; the prophet Nathan confronts the king, not her (2 Sam 11-12). After the death of her first child, she gives birth to Solomon, whom “the LORD loved” (2 Sam 12:24). She steps in so that her son will reign (1 Kgs 1) and becomes queen mother; Matthew mentions her as “the wife of Uriah” in the genealogy of Jesus (Matt 1:6).
Key moments
- David sees her from the roof and sends for her 2 Samuel 11:2
- She sends word to him: “I am with child” 2 Samuel 11:5
- Her husband Uriah dies on David’s orders 2 Samuel 11:15
- David brings her to his house after the mourning 2 Samuel 11:27
- Nathan confronts David, who confesses his sin 2 Samuel 12:13
- She gives birth to Solomon 2 Samuel 12:24
- She reminds David of his oath 1 Kings 1:17
- As queen mother, she sits at Solomon’s right hand 1 Kings 2:19
Strengths
- Resilience
- Courage
- Sense of responsibility
- Dignity
Weaknesses
The Bible lays no blame on her in the matter of Uriah: it is David whom Nathan accuses of having “taken his wife” (2 Sam 12:9). Later, she agrees to carry Adonijah’s request to Solomon, which costs Adonijah his life (1 Kgs 2:17-25); the text says nothing about her intentions.
Lessons for today
- God sees what is done in secret and holds the powerful accountable: Nathan accuses the king, not the woman he took (2 Sam 12:7-12).
- After grief, God can open a future: from Bathsheba is born Solomon, whom “the LORD loved” (2 Sam 12:24).
- Wise counsel and courage at the right moment can protect the people you love (1 Kgs 1:11-21).
- God writes into the genealogy of Christ lives marked by sin and suffering: “her that had been the wife of Uriah” (Matt 1:6).
And David comforted Bath–sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him.
And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the Lord thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne.
Bath–sheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand.
People around Bathsheba
Quiz: how well do you know Bathsheba?
What was the name of Bathsheba’s first husband?
“Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” Eliam is her father; Nabal was Abigail’s husband. 2 Samuel 11:3
What was Bathsheba doing when David saw her from the roof of the king’s house?
From the roof, David “saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.” 2 Samuel 11:2
Which of David’s sons was anointed king at Gihon?
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil and “anointed Solomon”; the people shouted, “God save king Solomon.” Adonijah had only proclaimed himself king. 1 Kings 1:38–39
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