Bathsheba, Vixen or Victim?
I promised to get back around to this. My thinking is that she was mostly a victim...mostly. Here's why I think so. She had a godly upbringing, if her brother's character is any indication. Her family probably held the Abrahamic covenant dear to their hearts, since her name means "daughter of the oath." Her grandfather was a man noted for his wisdom in counsel. She was given in marriage to a good man of high character.
If her later actions show her basic character, they paint a favorable picture as well. Most Bible scholars think she is the mother of "Lemuel," probably another name for Solomon. Her prophecy is recorded in Proverbs 31.
That fact makes me laugh out loud at the irony. Bathsheba is a woman we think of as badly messed up, ruined, tragically fallen, in the middle of a huge mess of adultery, lies, and murder. She writes a chapter about the PERFECT WOMAN who has intimidated females for centuries! (Think of that line "the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her." That must have hurt to write.) Scholars believe she is the woman who uttered these words because it is addressed to a king, the name "Lemuel" may be a nickname for Solomon, and she warns her son about the main weaknesses Solomon had....wine and women. She warns him not to drink, lest he pervert judgement. She then goes on to describe a suitable wife for him. (Alas, even with all his 700 wives and 300 concubines, I bet Solomon couldn't find one who fit the bill.) If Bathsheba described this Proverbs 31 woman, chances are she shared, or at least valued, some of her characteristics.
My third reason for believing her mostly the victim, not the seductress: her actions in interceding for Adonijah (this was soon after Solomon gained the throne). Adonijah was already on "probation," you might say, for trying to take the throne as David lay dying. Solomon graciously gave him a second chance. In a political move, Adonijah went to Bathsheba, asking her to intercede on his behalf and allow him to marry David's concubine. Bathsheba innocently did it. She just was not a "machinations" kinda gal. She just didn't get all the intrigues. She didn't understand that Adonijah was only doing this to gain an edge to the throne. Solomon saw through it and had him killed.
So, given her parentage, writings, and somewhat naive, ready-to-please character, I believe she was a victim in this matter. When David called for her, how could she refuse him? She was not like Abigail, who with a few deftly-wielded words kept David from sin, even in the white-heat of his anger. But I said she was "mostly" a victim.
She may have averted disaster if she had tried--if she had thought in that moment of her faithful husband, who loved her "like a ewe lamb" and "cherished her in his bosom" (Nathan's description). If she had only thought of the reputation of the king of Israel. If only she had thought of the consequences that must come to the nation and to David. If she had even thought of her own family, or her own reputation...
But I feel so for her. What a horrible burden to carry, for someone who was not hardened in sin. She had to keep the adultery secret...and those months must have been torture, once she knew she was going to have a child. She must have known that her husband was murdered, not killed in battle. She knew why her child died. She did suffer, indeed.
Her story is a warning to me, and to all women. God has made women vulnerable. This is not a weakness (or should not be). Beauty invites. God has given women this characteristic. In a way they picture Christ. He became vulnerable, risking openness when he came to earth, ministering and opening his heart to others. But there is great strength in his vulnerability and openness, because he submits to his Father. He does not close himself off to protect Himself or lash out in self-defense. He remains soft, open, submissive, yet He directs this openness and submission to God. Therein lies His glory and his strength.
If her later actions show her basic character, they paint a favorable picture as well. Most Bible scholars think she is the mother of "Lemuel," probably another name for Solomon. Her prophecy is recorded in Proverbs 31.
That fact makes me laugh out loud at the irony. Bathsheba is a woman we think of as badly messed up, ruined, tragically fallen, in the middle of a huge mess of adultery, lies, and murder. She writes a chapter about the PERFECT WOMAN who has intimidated females for centuries! (Think of that line "the heart of her husband doth safely trust in her." That must have hurt to write.) Scholars believe she is the woman who uttered these words because it is addressed to a king, the name "Lemuel" may be a nickname for Solomon, and she warns her son about the main weaknesses Solomon had....wine and women. She warns him not to drink, lest he pervert judgement. She then goes on to describe a suitable wife for him. (Alas, even with all his 700 wives and 300 concubines, I bet Solomon couldn't find one who fit the bill.) If Bathsheba described this Proverbs 31 woman, chances are she shared, or at least valued, some of her characteristics.
My third reason for believing her mostly the victim, not the seductress: her actions in interceding for Adonijah (this was soon after Solomon gained the throne). Adonijah was already on "probation," you might say, for trying to take the throne as David lay dying. Solomon graciously gave him a second chance. In a political move, Adonijah went to Bathsheba, asking her to intercede on his behalf and allow him to marry David's concubine. Bathsheba innocently did it. She just was not a "machinations" kinda gal. She just didn't get all the intrigues. She didn't understand that Adonijah was only doing this to gain an edge to the throne. Solomon saw through it and had him killed.
So, given her parentage, writings, and somewhat naive, ready-to-please character, I believe she was a victim in this matter. When David called for her, how could she refuse him? She was not like Abigail, who with a few deftly-wielded words kept David from sin, even in the white-heat of his anger. But I said she was "mostly" a victim.
She may have averted disaster if she had tried--if she had thought in that moment of her faithful husband, who loved her "like a ewe lamb" and "cherished her in his bosom" (Nathan's description). If she had only thought of the reputation of the king of Israel. If only she had thought of the consequences that must come to the nation and to David. If she had even thought of her own family, or her own reputation...
But I feel so for her. What a horrible burden to carry, for someone who was not hardened in sin. She had to keep the adultery secret...and those months must have been torture, once she knew she was going to have a child. She must have known that her husband was murdered, not killed in battle. She knew why her child died. She did suffer, indeed.
Her story is a warning to me, and to all women. God has made women vulnerable. This is not a weakness (or should not be). Beauty invites. God has given women this characteristic. In a way they picture Christ. He became vulnerable, risking openness when he came to earth, ministering and opening his heart to others. But there is great strength in his vulnerability and openness, because he submits to his Father. He does not close himself off to protect Himself or lash out in self-defense. He remains soft, open, submissive, yet He directs this openness and submission to God. Therein lies His glory and his strength.
posted by Emily at 5:57 PM
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