Bathsheba’s story:
This well-known story of David and Bathsheba is told in the Book of the Prophet Samuel and the historical volume of 1 Kings. King David sees Bathsheba bathing and, despite her being married to Uriah, he sleeps with her and she becomes pregnant. To cover it up, David tries to get Uriah to go home to his wife, but Uriah refuses. David then arranges for Uriah to be killed in battle. After Uriah’s death, David marries Bathsheba, but the Lord is displeased with David’s actions.
The prophet Nathan confronts David by telling a parable that reveals David’s guilt, and David repents, but the child born from his union with Bathsheba dies as a consequence. Later, Bathsheba gives birth to Solomon, who is loved by God and eventually becomes king. This marks a turning point in their story – from tragedy and repentance to the rise of Solomon, who becomes a central figure in Israel’s history and a future ancestor of Jesus.
Reflection:
Bathsheba’s story begins in trauma. She is taken, widowed, and silenced. But later, she becomes a voice of wisdom and peace – advocating for her son Solomon.
Advent peace isn’t the absence of conflict – it’s the presence of healing. Bathsheba’s journey shows that peace can rise from pain. She reminds us that God sees the unseen, and brings peace to those who’ve been wounded. Where might you need God’s peace to heal what’s been broken?
A private moment, a gaze that changed everything, a voice to speak truth,
a cup of His love bathing in delight - no thought to consequences.
How could I refuse? What paragon of virtue displeases the Lord?
Lost dreams and safety taken in adultery, husband duped and killed.
What sense in lament? New royal reality costs freedom, adapts.
Does He remember me? When the woman anoints His feet with perfume.
Defending her for doing what she can to aid His feted journey…
begun with a door opening to an angel - mine to the King's guard.
Lives interrupted to keep God's promise despite such tragic loss
from my transgression to Mary's obedience, each a grief our own:
the deaths of sons - mine an infant, Mary's a man - He gives us a chance.
Nathan's words of God: gift of pardon in receiving. Mercy changes heart,
desires the Gospel like those around His manger, graced on the inside.
In David's comfort God's lamb chooses to forgive and a son is blessed,
a beloved King born on earth, deep in my soul. Heavenly treasure
in silence beyond telling to shepherd's at night: paradise unlocks
waiting patiently in expectation for God to come again now.
