Bathsheba
femaleUnited KingdomMeaning: “Daughter of the oath”
The wife of Uriah, taken by David in adultery, who later became his wife and the mother of Solomon, securing his succession to the throne.
Biography
Bathsheba is bound up with both David's deepest sin and the continuation of his royal line. A daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite, she became the mother of Solomon.
David's great sin
David saw Bathsheba bathing, sent for her, and committed adultery; when she conceived, he arranged the death of her husband Uriah in battle (2 Samuel 11). The prophet Nathan exposed the sin, and the child of the affair died (2 Samuel 12:14–18).
Mother of Solomon
God showed grace: Bathsheba bore another son, Solomon, "and the LORD loved him" (2 Samuel 12:24). Years later she secured the throne for Solomon over the rival Adonijah (1 Kings 1:11–31) and was honored as queen mother (1 Kings 2:19). Matthew's genealogy includes her — "her that had been the wife of Urias" — among the women in the line of Christ (Matthew 1:6).
Life Timeline
Taken by David in adultery; Uriah killed
Bears Solomon, whom the LORD loved
Secures the throne for Solomon over Adonijah
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Bathsheba
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Bathsheba appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
6 verses in 3 books2 Samuel3 verses
2 Samuel 11:3
And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath–sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
2 Samuel 11:4
And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
2 Samuel 12:24
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.
1 Kings2 verses
1 Kings 1:17
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.
1 Kings 2:19
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.
Matthew1 verse
Matthew 1:6
And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
Frequently asked about Bathsheba
Who was Bathsheba in the Bible?
The wife of Uriah, taken by David in adultery, who later became his wife and the mother of Solomon, securing his succession to the throne.
What does the name Bathsheba mean?
The name Bathsheba means “Daughter of the oath”.
What did Bathsheba do in the Bible?
Bathsheba served as queen mother.
Who were Bathsheba's children?
Bathsheba's children include Solomon.
Where does Bathsheba appear in the Bible?
Bathsheba is mentioned 6 times across 3 books: 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, Matthew.
What can we learn from Bathsheba?
The story of Bathsheba touches on themes of bath-sheba, solomon, chastity, abishag — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Bathsheba's life.
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