16.) December 14, 2020 Bathsheba 2 Sam 11: 2- 4a; 14-17; 26- 27
One evening David rose from his bed and strolled about on the roof of the king’s house. From the roof he saw a woman bathing; she was very beautiful. David sent people to inquire about the woman and was told, “She is Bathsheba, daughter of Eliam, and wife of Uriah the Hittite, Joab’s armor-bearer.”Then David sent messengers and took her. The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab which he sent by Uriah. This is what he wrote in the letter: “Place Uriah up front, where the fighting is fierce. Then pull back and leave him to be struck down dead.” So while Joab was besieging the city, he assigned Uriah to a place where he knew the defenders were strong. When the men of the city made a sortie against Joab, some officers of David’s army fell, and Uriah the Hittite also died. When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband had died, she mourned her lord. But once the mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her into his house. She became his wife and bore him a son. But in the sight of the LORD what David had done was evil.
(Jesus’ genealogy comes through Bathsheba’s second son, Solomon)
I was not looking to catch the eye of King David. I was happy with Uriah. But I was flattered and who can turn down the King?! My heart was heavy as I sent my note to the King saying I was with child—his child. Then my husband was killed in a battle and I mourned. I mourned for Uriah, our life together, and my circumstances. Later when David summoned me, I came. I bore him a child. But, our child of sin died even though David implored the Lord to not take the child. And again I mourned. David did not mourn. He accepted the Lord’s will. I bore David another child, a son Solomon. I am remembered only as an object of unlawful desire, not as a wife and mother who mourned. But, the Lord made good of it.Thought: Can I see your hand even when I am in mourning?