Bathsheba
The wife of Uriah whom David took, and afterward mother of Solomon; her story exposes David's great sin.
What we know — and how we know it
Where in scripture
2 Samuel1 Kings1 ChroniclesPsalmsDavid sent and inquired after the woman. One said, “Isn’t this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, Uriah the Hittite’s wife?”
2 Samuel 11:3 — Seen by David
David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her, and lay with her. She bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Yahweh loved him;
2 Samuel 12:24
Then Nathan spoke to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, “Haven’t you heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith reigns, and David our lord doesn’t know it?
1 Kings 1:11
Bathsheba went in to the king in his room. The king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite was serving the king.
1 Kings 1:15
Bathsheba bowed, and showed respect to the king. The king said, “What would you like?”
1 Kings 1:16
Then king David answered, “Call Bathsheba in to me.” She came into the king’s presence and stood before the king.
1 Kings 1:28
most certainly as I swore to you by Yahweh, the God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place;’ I will most certainly do this today.”
1 Kings 1:30 — Secures Solomon's throne
Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and showed respect to the king, and said, “Let my lord king David live forever!”
1 Kings 1:31
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
Family
In their own words — 8 recorded sayings
“And the woman became with child; and she sent word to David that she was with child.” — 2 Samuel 11:5
“And she said to him, My lord, you took an oath by the Lord your God and gave your word to your servant, saying, Truly, Solomon your son will be king after me, seated on the seat of my kingdom. And now, see, Adonijah has made himself king without my lord's knowledge; And has put to death oxen and fat beasts and sheep in great numbers, and has sent for all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab, the captain of the army; but he has not sent for Solomon your servant. And now, my lord the king, the eyes of all Israel are on you, waiting for you to say who is to take the place of…” — 1 Kings 1:17-21
“Then Bath-sheba went down on her face on the earth before the king giving him honour, and said, May my lord King David go on living for ever.” — 1 Kings 1:31
“Then Adonijah, the son of Haggith, came to Bath-sheba, the mother of Solomon. And she said, Come you in peace? And he said, Yes, in peace.” — 1 Kings 2:13
“Then he said, I have something to say to you. And she said, Say on.” — 1 Kings 2:14
“And Bath-sheba said, Good! I will make your request to the king.” — 1 Kings 2:18
“Then she said, I have one small request to make to you; do not say, No, to me. And the king said, Say on, my mother, for I will not say, No, to you.” — 1 Kings 2:20
“And she said, Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother for a wife.” — 1 Kings 2:21
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
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