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Bathsheba

Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, later became David's wife and the mother of Solomon.

The name Bathsheba means “the seventh daughter; the daughter of satiety”

FemaleDavid's wifeUnited Monarchy eraOld Testament4 books22 verses

Summary

A woman living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2 Samuel 11:3; referred to as Bathsheba (בַּת־שֶׁ֫בַע) or Bath-shua (בַּת־שׁוּעַ); a daughter of Eliam; wife of David and Uriah; mother of Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon.

Profile

Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, was Eliam's daughter (2 Samuel 11:3; see also 1 Chronicles 3:5). She was Ahithophel's granddaughter, the king's adviser (2 Samuel 15:12; 23:34). Her husband, Uriah, was a Hittite soldier. He was in King David's army and was one of David's mighty warriors (2 Samuel 23:39).

One spring, David stayed home in Jerusalem while the army went to battle (2 Samuel 11:1). Resting at midday, David walked on his roof overlooking the city and saw the beautiful Bathsheba bathing. He arranged for her to be brought to his private chambers. He then had sexual relations with her, and she became pregnant (2 Samuel 11:2–4).

David did not want people to find out what he had done wrong, so he tried to hide it. He told Joab, the general, to have Uriah bring back a report from the battle lines. David hoped Uriah would return home and have sexual relations with Bathsheba. This would make it look like she had become pregnant by Uriah. However, Uriah felt he was still on duty, so he slept at the palace gate instead (2 Samuel 11:5–13).

When David asked him about this, Uriah said he could not sleep with his wife while the ark of the covenant and Israel's armies were at war. This response made David look bad. Uriah was not even an Israelite, but he was ready to return to battle by avoiding being with his wife (see Leviticus 15:16–18). But David stayed home and tried to hide his adultery. Then David sent Uriah back and ordered Joab to ensure Uriah died in battle (2 Samuel 11:14–25). Uriah’s death did not keep David’s sin secret. The Lord sent the prophet Nathan to confront David, and David confessed his sin and repented (2 Samuel 12:1–14; see Psalm 51).

Bathsheba's baby became sick and died, as Nathan had predicted. After Bathsheba's mourning period, David brought her to the palace as his wife. David and Bathsheba had other children, including:

For the rest of David's life, his wives and children fought against each other for power. The worst of this family fighting happened when David was old. At that time, Bathsheba worked to make sure her son Solomon would become the next king (1 Kings 1:1–53).

When Matthew lists Jesus the Messiah's family history, he mentions both Solomon and Bathsheba (Matthew 1:6). She is described as “Uriah’s wife.” This reminds us of the sin that brought her into David’s family and of God’s gracious favor toward her descendants.

Passages for Further Study

2 Samuel 11:1–12:25; 1 Kings 1:5–2:25; Psalm 51:1–19

Glossary entries

Bathsheba Bathshua

Family members

Father

Eliam

Spouse

David Uriah

Children

Nathan Shammua Shobab Solomon

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 10 verses that refer to Bathsheba without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. 2 Samuel 11:3
    So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”
  2. 2 Samuel 12:24
    Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her. So she gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. Now the LORD loved the child
  3. 1 Kings 1:11
    Then Nathan said to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, “Have you not heard that Adonijah son of Haggith has become king, and our lord David does not know it?
  4. 1 Kings 1:12Referred to, not named
    Now please, come and let me advise you. Save your own life and the life of your son Solomon.
  5. 1 Kings 1:13Referred to, not named
    Go at once to King David and say, ‘My lord the king, did you not swear to your maidservant, “Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’
  6. 1 Kings 1:14Referred to, not named
    Then, while you are still there speaking with the king, I will come in after you and confirm your words.”
  7. 1 Kings 1:15
    So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him.
  8. 1 Kings 1:16
    And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?”
  9. 1 Kings 1:17Referred to, not named
    “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’
  10. 1 Kings 1:22Referred to, not named
    And just then, while Bathsheba was still speaking with the king, Nathan the prophet arrived.
  11. 1 Kings 1:28
    Then King David said, “Call in Bathsheba for me.” So she came into the king’s presence and stood before him.
  12. 1 Kings 1:30Referred to, not named
    I will carry out this very day exactly what I swore to you by the LORD, the God of Israel: Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne in my place.”
  13. 1 Kings 1:31
    Bathsheba bowed facedown in homage to the king and said, “May my lord King David live forever!”
  14. 1 Kings 2:13
    Now Adonijah son of Haggith went to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, and she asked, “Do you come in peace?” “Yes, in peace,” he replied.
  15. 1 Kings 2:14Referred to, not named
    Then he said, “I have something to tell you.” “Say it,” she answered.
  16. 1 Kings 2:15Referred to, not named
    “You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD.
  17. 1 Kings 2:16Referred to, not named
    So now I have just one request of you; do not deny me.” “State your request,” she told him.
  18. 1 Kings 2:17Referred to, not named
    Adonijah replied, “Please speak to King Solomon, since he will not turn you down. Let him give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife.”
  19. 1 Kings 2:18
    “Very well,” Bathsheba replied. “I will speak to the king for you.”
  20. 1 Kings 2:19
    So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, and sat down on his throne. Then the king had a throne brought for his mother, who sat down at his right hand.
  21. 1 Chronicles 3:5
    …and these sons were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. These four were born to him by Bathsheba daughter of Ammiel.
  22. Psalm 51:1
    For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.