beersheba david's wife

9 There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. Joab urges David not to number the Israelites, and through the prophet Gad, God rebukes David for doing so, giving him a choice of one of three chastenings. Before the people ever entered the land, God warned them that someday they would want a king like the nations around them. But David stayed at Jerusalem (emphasis mine). It is not the opportunity to lord it over our mate. 5. It is clear from the actions of David which follow that he sinned. The interaction between David and Uriah seems to indicate that David was puzzled as to why Uriah would not enjoy the good life in Jerusalem if he had the opportunity to do so. To you, I would say: Stop now! How much better it would have been if David had confessed to his sin with Bathsheba before he went on to murder Uriah. I believe that David was a rapist. A large portion of these curses describe the sins David committed in his taking of Bathsheba (Midrash Tehillim 3:3). The midrash portrays Bathsheba as a modest woman and relates how she washed her hair under a bucket, hidden from all. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. Hollywood filmmakers would perform a remake of this account to dwell on the sensual elements. Good at getting what she wants. Joab was not the commander of the army of Israel by David's choice. Solomon was the oldest surviving son of David at the time of David's death. The judges God had raised up for them earlier were usually men like Barak or Gideon, who would lead the nation in battle against their enemies. Bathsheba, as well, was the subject of slander, together with David. The interpretations and elaborations of the Mishnah by the, Biblical Women in World and Hebrew Literature, Yael Wife of Heber The Kenite: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982022, Jewish Women's Archive. "And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions." - 1 Kings 10:1 This is also reflected in the New Testament, where she is referred to as "The Queen of The South ". David certainly looked forward to the time when he could stop fleeing from Saul and begin to reign as king. The midrashim portray Davids great distress after he acknowledges his sin, which finds expression in the Psalms that he composed. A total of nineteen sons are named here. The Rabbis relate that David observed many fasts to obtain divine forgiveness for this transgression, until his flesh was weakened and his blood no longer flowed freely, leading him to say [Ps. However, Bathsheba then discovered that she was pregnant, which was a huge problem for the king. Clearly, a liaison with her would violate the seventh commandment against adultery, and a king of Israel was supposed to be a religious leader as well as a political leader. Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women. According to the Second Book of Samuel, however, God was not pleased with this shocking behaviour. The comic-book style of this image is reflected in the other windows in the church (such as this and these), which illustrate all Ten Commandments. David shot an arrow at the bird, but the bird flew away, and the arrow hit the bucket and broke it. It is a text we all need to hear and to heed, for if a man after God's own heart can fall so quickly and so far, surely we are capable of similar failures. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Beersheba is mentioned in Genesis 21:31 as the place where Abraham made a treaty with Abimelech, king of the Philistines in Gerar. (2) When did this cleansing occur, and when was it completed? Beit Hanegbi in the Old City of Beersheba (B Aswim) Beersheba. Notwithstanding this, the teacher may read these verses in the usual manner in which he teaches verses of Scripture (T. Lit. 11:2): Late one afternoon, David rose from his couch, for it was then that he arose from intercourse. Genesis 21:33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and called there on the name of Yahweh, the Everlasting God. If he does not know it, surely someone there among his servants would inform him. The NIV reads, and he slept with her. His lying with his wives that day was of no avail, and so when he saw Bathsheba in the afternoon he nevertheless lusted after her. Michal was David's first wife and King Saul's daughter. David consoled Bathsheba by getting her pregnant again, this time with a son the named Solomon. Let us not forget that a similar sequence occurred at the first sin when Eve saw, desired, and took the forbidden fruit in Genesis 3. The Cross And Christs Substitution (Gal. According to another tradition, she took her shoes and slapped him with them here and there (Lev. David suffered for six months, the Shekhinah departed from him, and the Sanhedrin, which always convened in his presence, separated from him. Bathsheba was alone. She was on her roof doing a mandatory cleansing ritual after her cycle. First, 2 Samuel 11:711 describes how David tried to attribute Bathsheba's pregnancy to Uriah. In contrast with the prevalent view that perceives David as sinning with Bathsheba, a contrary approach maintains that David was blameless and that whoever claims that he sinned is in error. It may be that the author did not choose to focus upon Bathsheba, but even in this case, the Law would clearly require us to consider her innocent until proven guilty. Helping you get the most out of your Sabbath School quarterly every week. Where to find this work of art When the husband came to the mobile home to see his wife, another man was there. Find more ways to listen here! This suggests that Bathsheba was a lot younger than David. 3:5 6. David had become friends with Nahash, the former king. From all appearances, David is simply indulging himself. These deals on incredible witnessing and Bible resources dont last long! 31:4]: Wine is not for kings, O Lemuel; not for kings to drinkwhat have you to do with kings who drink wine, become intoxicated, and say: What need have we of God? Nor any strong drink for princes [ibid. On March 4, 1999, Victoria gave birth to David Beckham's first son Brooklyn Joseph Beckham, who is a model and a photographer. David asks forgiveness of God, saying: Master of the Universe! Special insight and inspiration straight from the presidents desk. I, however, took vows that I would have a vigorous son, one filled with Torah and fit for prophecy (BT Sanhedrin 70b). Consequently, Bathsheba and David had sex at one of the best possible moments for her to conceivewhich she did, with tragic results. As early as Genesis 15:18-21, God promised Abram (Abraham) that his descendants would inherit the land of the Hittites (along with that of other peoples as well; see also Exodus 3:8, 17; 13:5; 23:23, 28, 32; 33:21; 34:11; Deuteronomy 7:1; Joshua 1:4; 3:10). According to Jewish purity laws, a woman must wait seven days after her menses end before purifying herself ritually in a mikvah, a special immersion pool, so that she and her husband may resume sexual relations. 2 Samuel 8:16-18 - David's Cabinet. Produced by: Darryl F. Zanuck. Even as queen she did not forget that she was subservient to Gods laws, a message that she sought to transmit to Solomon. David's wife Michal, who knows of the affair, tells David that Uriah did not go home; he slept at the castle, as a sign of loyalty to his king. When Ahitophel saw leprosy breaking out on his sexual organ, he thought that he would be king (and therefore joined Absalom in his revolt against David). David said to Him: Master of the Universe! The Hittites opposed Israel's entrance into the promised land (see Numbers 13:29; Joshua 9:1: 11;1-5), and the Israelites had some victories over them (Joshua 24;11). And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? David had not yet ascended the throne in the encounter with Abigail, he was a man without possessions and was in flight from Saul, in danger of his life. The rifle easily penetrated the windshield, and my uncle was instantly killed -- by mistake. And God not only forgave them, He even blessed their marriage with another child. The text does not really tell us where this woman is bathing. (Aramaic) A work containing a collection of tanna'itic. When Abraham sacrificed the ram instead of Isaac, he was able to safeguard his son and secure the future of God's promises. David's actions may not seem like a comfort to Bathsheba at first. We all get weary of the adversities of life. Let me seek to summarize some of its lessons. Did you know? He does not even seek an affair. The angry husband had killed my uncle, falsely assuming that he was his adversary. Remember that David did suffer terribly because of his sin with Bathsheba. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. Once he mentioned his fathers name and said [II Chron. 31:3]. This was the case, for example, when David fought Goliath, a battle that should have been fought by Saul, Israel's giant (see 1 Samuel 9:2). The (Aramaic) A work containing a collection of tanna'itic beraitot, organized into a series of tractates each of which parallels a tractate of the Mishnah.Tosefta establishes that the Biblical account of the sin of David and Bathsheba is one of the passages that are not read in the public readings from the Torah she-bi-khetav: Lit. Here we see King David getting close to Bathsheba as her poor husband marches off to war in the background. When David instructs Joab to number the Israelite warriors, Joab protests. Keep in mind, he stayed on his face for seven days in genuine contrition and grief for his sinsbegging God for mercy. She is fit for a king. This man was Ahimelech, the Hittite (1 Samuel 26:6). Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Not long after Bathsheba and David committed adultery, Bathsheba sent a message to David telling him she was pregnant. (David might have intended to sin, but his actions did not exceed the bounds of the The legal corpus of Jewish laws and observances as prescribed in the Torah and interpreted by rabbinic authorities, beginning with those of the Mishnah and Talmud.halakhah). More than likely he is walking about, almost absent-mindedly, when suddenly his eyes fix on something that rivets his attention on a woman bathing herself. Joab sends David a message, urging him to come and at least give the appearance of leading his army. Rashi on Genesis 24:62. We cannot be certain how much David sees, and thus we do not know for certain whether he has yet sinned. Lit. 4:4-7), 4. The midrash also examines Bathshebas role as the mother of Solomon, the heir to the throne. Discover all the informative and inspiring books from the speaker and president of Amazing Facts. We strive to approve comments the day they are made, but please allow at least 24 hours for your comment to appear. Why would David want to stay in a tent in the open field, outside of Rabbah, if he can stay in his own bed, in his own palace, inside Jerusalem?37. Similar (though not identical) descriptions are found, where no exposure of the woman is indicated at all (see Genesis 12:11; 26:7; 29:17; Esther 1:1). In every time and season, there is an opportunity to share hope in Christ. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, 7. I believe one of the reasons David summons Bathsheba to his palace is that he has not seen all that he wishes. Codification of basic Jewish Oral Law; edited and arranged by R. Judah ha-Nasi c. 200 C.E. He tried to fix things by encouraging Uriah to spend the night with his wife, so that he would think that the baby was his. Nathan told the powerful king a tale of a poor shepherd whose lamb was stolen by a rich man. I have seen any number of people bathing themselves on the sidewalks of India, because this is their home. And never forget for a moment that David could and did repent, and he did not have to separate himself from Bathsheba. But the besieging of Rabbah is a whole different kind of war. Bathsheba is bathing herself. We may keep quiet, rather than bear witness to our faith, lest we be rejected by our peers. Sexual abuse and sexual harassment are two of the ways people abuse their power. This is not servant leadership. It is one thing to fight battles in which the enemy is quickly overcome. Towards the beginning of his reign, the previously prayerful King David dramatically fell from grace. 37 I dont think Im exaggerating here. Get directions Beersheba, Southern District, Israel Coordinates: 31.08182, 35.39561. In the city of Jerusalem, David's eighth wife, Bathsheba, gave him four sons after the death of her first son. First, I want you to notice the law of proportion in this text. In this case, there is not so much as a hint that this takes place. We may hold off from rebuking a fellow-believer, who is falling into sin, because the last time we tried it was very messy. A husband should not abuse his power in order to have sex with his wife. He has come to see himself as different/better than the rest of the Israelites. Weather has always affected warfare. For a time he stayed at Gerar" ( Genesis 20:1 ). And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" The man was trying to tell David that Bathsheba was already married, indicating that the king was. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah's wife, 2 Samuel 12:25 and sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah because the LORD loved him. Abigail told him (v. 31): Do not let this be a cause of stumbling. It now seems likely that Bathsheba will withdraw into David's harem, a shamed wife, never to be heard from again. Sure enough, Joab put Uriah on the front lines when David's army attacksRabbathafter a long siege, although Joab didn't withdraw the army as David instructed. 26 When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. Thus Bathsheba was revealed to David as she was bathing (BT Sanhedrin 107a). 38 This reference to Bathshebas purification is interesting and perplexing. Bathsheba is not punished nor does she ask for forgiveness, thus indicating her guiltlessness in the eyes of the Rabbis. Select from premium Tel Beersheba of the highest quality. Jewish Women's Archive. In some instances a woman may purposely or unwittingly encourage the one who assaults her. In another tradition, she tells him: Your father married many women, and when Nathan the prophet came and informed him that one of his sons, who would be named Solomon, would inherit his kingdom, each of the wives said: If I give birth to Solomon, I will offer all the sacrifices in the Torah. I, too, took such a vow, and now I stand with my sacrifices in my hand, and you sleep? Never mind that David has Moabite blood in his veins. David asked Uriah why he didn't go home, and loyal Uriah replied that he wouldn't dream of having a conjugal visit when David's army at the front has no such opportunity. We only know that she is within sight of David's penthouse (rooftop). Worship with Pastor Dougs church each week, featuring beautiful music and life-changing Bible study. Although God pardoned David for his sin with Bathsheba, people did not forget the matter, and it continued to haunt David, Bathsheba and their son Solomon all their lives. Despite the fact that all of the work was finished, the Temple remained locked for an additional twelve months. The woman is shortly summoned to the palace and then to his bedroom, where David sleeps with her, even though he has discovered she is the wife of Uriah, a warrior who is fighting for the army of Israel. Strengthen your walk with Christ with these life-changing devotionals from your friends at Amazing Facts. (A friend remarked after this message that a truck driver had told him a whole lot can be seen from an 18-wheeler that people in cars don't see.). Up high, you everlasting doors, so the King of glory may come in!, but he was not answered. Nathan told him a parable about a cruel rich man who stole a poor mans lamb. He is no pagan, to be put to death. Comments containing telephone numbers or email addresses will not be approved. He sent for her and they slept together. David seems to have come to the place where he believes his abilities are so great he can lead Israel into victory, even though he is not with his men in battle. He slept with Bathsheba like a husband sleeps with a wife. . David flew into a rage, demanding to know who the man was so that he could exact judgment on him. It grew as an oasis on the northern fringe of the . 9 "I will do for David what the Lord promised him with an oath. They have three sons and one daughter. He no longer lives in a tent (if he was fortunate enough to have one in those days); he lives in a palace. So David did commit the mortal sin of murder. It is a grave sin with great consequences for the nation Israel. In other words, it is nearly dark when Bathsheba sets out to wash herself. David attempted to murder Uriah, to cover up his sin of adultery with Bathsheba. On page 1, write "David and Bathsheba." Write "2 Samuel 10, 11." On page 2, draw David on the rooftop, labeling David, Bathsheba, and rooftop. Her story may be familiar to most of us. Achan saw, coveted, and took the forbidden spoils of war in Joshua 7:21. 5 Joab gave the number of the census of all the people to David. 11:3), whom the Rabbis identify with Eliam son of Ahitophel (II Sam. This stained glass scene of King Davids scandalous relationship with Bathsheba is found within the church of Sacred Heart and St Teresa, in Coleshill. David thereby alluded that when they publicly embarrassed him and reminded him of his transgression, they committed a sin much graver than his. We know he disengaged himself from the battle, choosing instead a life of comfort and ease. He recalled Uriah from the front, supposedly to give him a report on the battle, and then told him to take some leave and visit his wife. The Rabbis relate that at that time Bathsheba dried herself with thirteen cloths, that is, they engaged in intercourse thirteen times, corresponding to the number of Hebrew words in I Kings 1:15: So Bathsheba went in to the king in his chamber. And all Israel were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword; and Judah was 470,000 men who drew the sword (1 Chronicles 21:1-5). ]you, to whom all the secrets of the world are revealed, you drink wine and become intoxicated? Our flagship program features the most informative and inspiring messages from Pastor Doug and more. When we retreat from the battle, a fall is not far away. (2021, September 10). These midrashim, which present the request for forgiveness by David, who undertakes tribulations and mortifications, and is punished in diverse ways, clearly delineate the approach that David did, in fact, sin, but was eventually absolved. This story shows that God can redeem us even after we have wandered far off the path. South Carolina: University of South Carolina Press, 2018. David's sin did not just suddenly appear in a moment of time. Many tragic incidents occur as the unexpected outcome of a sequence of events. Obviously, David was secure enough on his throne that he no longer had a need to go to war to prove his military prowess; he could send his generals instead. From out of his rear window, Stewart watches his neighbors through their windows. He sends for her and sleeps with her, and she becomes pregnant. 25), David fell thrall to her beauty and could not overcome his lust, despite her being a married woman. The Bible; the Pentateuch; Tanakh (the Pentateuch, Prophets and Hagiographia)Torah and the Prophets (haftarot), nor are they rendered into the vernacular [i.e., Aramaic] before the public. And they had a son - Solomon. Despite its unseemly nature, the act did not formally constitute a transgression. And this king intends to have her. When my Grandmother Palmer was alive, she lived on a farm outside of Shelton, Washington. Remember that David did suffer terribly because of his sin with Bathsheba. But King David eventually took Bath Sheba as his wife, so Bath Sheba became Malkah Sheba, or the Daughter of Sheba became the Queen of Sheba (the Queen of King David). I was wrong. Once he found out Bathsheba's identity, he knew that she was married and he had sent her husband off to war. Nathan calmly told the king: "You are the man," meaning that God had revealed to the prophet the truth of David's adultery, deceit, and murder of Uriah. Later in life after David's death, Bathsheba counseled Solomon ( 1 Kings 2:13-24 ). I believe the text bears me out on this. This is astonishing evidence of Gods grace and forgiveness. Unlike my uncle, David is in the wrong place at the wrong time because of a wrong decision. Why did God allow David to keep Bathsheba as his wife? We tend to assume that this means she is disrobed, at least partially. As Solomon's mother, she became the model for the Proverbs 31 woman. (For the judgment of Solomon, see the entry: Two Prostitutes as Mothers). Sign up for your daily dose of spiritual insight and encouragement from Amazing Facts. I thought the Ammonites had been defeated in chapter 10. His inability to hit his initial target (the bird) represents his inability to withstand the trial that he undertook. The author of Samuel does not include this fact, but the Chronicler does. This is when the law prescribed (for ceremonial cleansing), and it is when the sun is setting. Should this not strongly indicate that the same is true in Bathsheba's case, of which this second incident is a kind of mirror image? He said [Ps. "David had also taken Ahinoam of Jezreel, and they both became his wives" ( 1 Sam. 2 Samuel 11:1-12:15, Your email address will not be published. Eventually he uncovers a murder and is almost killed himself, along with his girlfriend. Genesis 26:26 Then Abimelech went to him from . "Bathsheba: Midrash and Aggadah." The identification of this woman depends then upon David's description of her age, appearance, and location, and no one could be absolutely certain whether this is the woman or not -- except for David, of course, who would recognize her. The Ammonites recruit the Syrians as their allies against David. Ahitophel, however, misinterpreted what he saw, which actually symbolized his granddaughter Bathshebas giving birth to Solomon, who would rule all Israel (BT Sanhedrin 101b). When David was old and advanced in years, he was served by a beautiful young maiden named Abishag the Shunammite, whose task was to lie in his bosom and warm him, but the king was not intimate with her (I Kings 1:14). I wonder why we see nothing of this in the Bible. See how your gifts made a lasting difference recently. Genesis 26:23 He went up from there to Beersheba. In verse 15, David is described writing a letter to his general, Joab, telling him to put Uriah on the front lines where the fighting is fiercest, and then to withdraw, leaving Uriah undefended. "Bathsheba and David: Biblical Romance and Tragedy." Cemetery ID: 2621511; Members have Contributed. Cynthia B. Astle is an award-winning journalist who covered religion for 25 years. Power corrupts, we are told, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Lit. In due time, Uriah's widow became David's wife. Learn Religions. 26:2). God responded: I will try you, and I will grant you a boon that I did not afford them. Bathsheba later discovered she was pregnant ( 2 Samuel 11:5 ), and she informed David. This is no nameless husband, someone David has never heard of before. He rather should have waited until she was ready for him, after the death of Uriah (BT Sanhedrin 107a). "the written Torah." "scroll." document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); King Davids affair with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-12:15). They need to sleep in the open field; he needs to get his rest in his own bed, in his palace. Perched on the palace rooftop, David spies the wife of Uriah bathing. In fact, Michal's love for David is . How many psalms do you think David wrote from his palatial bed and from his penthouse? David seduces Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite,. First, the root of David's sin is not low self-esteem; it is arrogance. He used the following parable: "There were two men in one city, the one . With David, it is very different. Third, prosperity is as dangerous -- and sometimes more dangerous -- than poverty and adversity. May the Spirit of God take this portion of the Word of God and illuminate it to each of us as we come to this study. David subjected the Philistines (8:1), then the Moabites (8:2), and then he took on the king of Zobah (8:3ff.). 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Let me point out several things from the text. 12:6): He shall pay for the lamb four times over, and was penalized by the death of four of his children: the first child born to Bathsheba, Amnon, Tamar [who was raped], and Absalom. A guide for walking through all of Scripture in just a yearwith catch-up days built in. Third, the sin of David and Bathsheba is dealt with historically, but not in a Hollywood fashion. 6:42]: O Lord God, do not reject Your anointed one; remember the loyalty of Your servant David, he was immediately answered. Bathsheba, as we learn in 2 Samuel 11, was Uriah the Hittite's beautiful wife and the daughter of Eliam. For I have regarded My people, because their cry has come to Me (1 Samuel 9:15-16). A second reason may be boredom. Let's pursue this matter a little more. . It looks like the perfect crime, but David's sin is discovered and dealt with by Nathan, the prophet of God. Does this not explain why Bathsheba went to the king's palace when summoned? You graciously let him know two facts 1) Bathsheba was married and 2) she was the granddaughter of his closest advisor. The Cross And Boasting (Galatians 6:12-15), 6. Does this not portray the way of eastern kings? Let us briefly review the place of the Hittites in Old Testament history. His furnishings, his food, his help, are all the finest. Remember the words of verse 1: 1 Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah.