Bathsheba
femaleUnited MonarchyMeaning: “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; her husband Uriah is killed in battle
The child of the adultery dies
Bears Solomon, whom the LORD loves
Secures Solomon's succession over Adonijah
On the Bible timeline
Bathsheba belongs to the The United Monarchy era (c. 1050 – 930 BC).
- c. 1010 – 970 BCDavid's Reign
- c. 966 BCSolomon's Temple Built
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
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
12 verses in 4 books2 Samuel2 verses
2 Samuel 11:3
And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
2 Samuel 12:24
And David comforted Bathsheba 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 Kings8 verses
1 Kings 1:11
Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth it not?
1 Kings 1:15
And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king.
1 Kings 1:16
And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? What: Heb. What to thee?
1 Kings 1:28
Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king's presence, and stood before the king. into: Heb. before the king
1 Kings 1:31
Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever.
1 Kings 2:13
And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably.
1 Kings 2:18
And Bathsheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king.
1 Kings 2:19
Bathsheba 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.
1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 3:5
And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel: Shimea: or, Shammua.Sam.5.14. Bathshua: or, Bathsheba 2Sam.11.13. Ammiel: or, Eliam.Sam.11.3.
Psalms1 verse
Psalms 51:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
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 12 times across 4 books: 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Psalms.
What can we learn from Bathsheba?
The story of Bathsheba touches on themes of bath-sheba, solomon, civil service, abishag — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Bathsheba's life.
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