No other account in the Bible so vividly captures the heart-wrenching struggle of a sinful man who earnestly sought after the Lord yet failed to measure up. 2. Solomon was known for his many foreign wives, who were able to turn his heart away from God to foreign gods (1 Kings 11). But the king had no sexual relations with her. So, Abishag slept with the king, but not (if youll forgive the pun) in the Biblical sense.. As told in 2 Samuel 11-12, Bathsheba was married to Uriah, one of Davids mighty men (2 Samuel 23:39). Now the pressure was really on the king, who might have concealed his affair with Bathsheba, but couldn't hide her pregnancy for long. Altogether, scripture records that David had 19 sons by . Strengthen your walk with Christ with these life-changing devotionals from your friends at Amazing Facts. Astle, Cynthia. Politicians, mega-pastors, coaches, professional athletes, corporate leaders. Following Amnon's murder, Absalom fled Jerusalem and did not return for another three years. This verse says unequivocally that when David sent messengers to fetch her, she went to David of her own free will. Nathan prophesied that Davids sin (metaphorically, the sword) would never depart from his family. She finds out shes pregnant. We know that David's first children were born in Hebron, where David was made king following the death of Saul (2 Samuel 2:1-4, 1 Chronicles 3:4). David sent this letter to Joab by Uriah, who had no idea that he was carrying his own death sentence. 9. (2 Samuel 11:2-4) "David didn't invite Bathsheba. 1 Kings 1:4 says Abishag looked after the king and took care of him. Abital(1 Chr 3:3)(2 Sam 3:4) Bathsheba was disposable to David until a pregnancy threatened to expose his actions (rape and then murder) before the nation. After Amnon raped Tamar, Absalom killed him (2 Samuel 13:23-38). We dont know. If you have perpetrated crimes or taken advantage of others, you can confess your sins and change your habits. Next, David acquires Ahinoam as his wife, followed by Abigail, who impresses him with her wisdom and intelligence. And God not only forgave them, He even blessed their marriage with another child. He has contributed over 1,200 articles to various publications, including interviews for Christian Communicator and book reviews for The Evangelical Church Library Association. Answer. Still, we dont know if David named Solomon his successor because he favored Bathsheba, because God favored Solomon, or to compensate for everything Bathsheba had suffered. Absolutely not! From these unions, the Bible names nineteen sons and one daughter, Tamar ( 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 ). David clearly struggled with this many times. Solomon would repent and return his heart fully to God, going on to write many of the Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, and the book of Ecclesiastes. Bathsheba told her aged husband that only their son Solomon remained loyal, so the king named Solomon his co-regent. Copyright JesusAlive.cc All rights reserved, (1 Sam 18:20-27)(1 Sam 19:11-17)(1 Sam 25:44)(2 Sam 3:13-14), Macaah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. Why did God allow David to keep Bathsheba as his wife? Early intervention, discipline, and instruction could mean the difference between life and death later on. These were born to David in Hebron" (2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-3). As parents, sometimes we must rebuild and repair this foundation when cracks begin to form. Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah:Scripture does not give much detail about these four wives other than the fact they all bore sons to David while he dwelt in Hebron. Updated on May 07, 2019. While Uriah was away at war, David saw Bathsheba bathing in her courtyard one night; she was beautiful, and David lusted after her. We could refer to this rape as 'power rape,' meaning Bathsheba was not in a position to say no (even if she wanted to) when the king called for her and collected her with guards. As a result, David took up arms with 400 of his men to seek vengeance and completely wipe out Nabals family line by killing all males. Next, described in 2 Samuel 12 and 13, David invited Uriah for dinner and got him drunk, figuring that intoxication will arouse Uriah's desire for Bathsheba. The first was the baby that was the fruit of the sinful and murderous romance between him and Bathsheba. The world-renowned Amazing Facts Bible school will help you know Gods Word better than ever. And later David lost yet another son, Adonijah. It may be shocking to suggest King David had sexual issues, but its not out of the question. "Bathsheba and David: Biblical Romance and Tragedy." After a mourning period, Bathsheba was brought to the palace to become the latest of King David's wives, thus assuring the legitimacy of their child. When it came time to be paid, Nabal instead refused to pay David and his men. A beautiful woman, she became pregnant after David saw her bathing on a rooftop and had her brought to him. Remember that David did suffer terribly because of his sin with Bathsheba. David, as well as kings which followed (including his son Solomon who had 700 wives and 300 concubines: 1 Kin 11:3), disobeyed this command. How many wives did David have before Bathsheba? On-demand Amazing Facts audio featuring a wealth of spiritual guidance and inspiration. A guide for walking through all of Scripture in just a yearwith catch-up days built in. That example would come through his descendent, Jesus Christ, in whom David's broken, imperfect family would be redeemed, and all people could be forgiven, restored, and redeemed. We must all be actively aware of the battle for our hearts (1 Peter 5:8-10) and respond accordingly, with the power of the Holy Spirit. Abigail of Carmel(1 Chr 3:1)(2 Sam 3:3)(2 Sam 2:2) David betrayed his parental responsibilities. 7 Bibliography. Learn Religions. Our sin nature gravitates toward selfishness and self-pleasure. After she was taken away from him, he married Ahinoam, Abigail, Maacah, Haggith, Abital, and Eglah. Davids history suggests that he used many women to balance out his faults (lust, violence, and ego). David also had a son with Bathsheba before she bore Solomon. After Bathsheba mourns for her deceased husband, David sends for and marries Bathsheba. Helping you get the most out of your Sabbath School quarterly every week. It's our job as parents to build a biblical foundation for our children, teaching them to know God and stand firm in the truth of God's Word early. She was given by the hand of her treacherous father Saul the first king of Israelwhile he lingered on the throne in his fallen state. Saul had no choice but to give Michal to David as his wife (1 Samuel 18:20-27). As the last of Jesses eight sons, Jesse thought David was unimportant, and his brothers thought he was an annoying pest (1 Samuel 16-17). Our flagship program features the most informative and inspiring messages from Pastor Doug and more. The Bible doesn't mention the circumstances of David's marriage to Bathsheba, but it does mention that he had three wives before Bathsheba. Why Was David Allowed to Take so Many Wives (and Who Were They)? David, (flourished c. 1000 bce), second ruler of the united kingdom of ancient Israel and Judah. David flew into a rage, demanding to know who the man was so that he could exact judgment on him. His many wives resulted in many children with rivalries and unhealthy relationships with each other. They are all mentioned in 2 Samuel 3:2-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-3. The Bible tells us that Bathsheba gave birth to a child following her adulterous affair with David. When you post, you agree to the terms and conditions of our comments policy. David's history suggests that he used many women to balance out his faults (lust, violence, and ego). Enraged by his brother's actions, Absalom, the son of Maacah and full brother of Tamar, murdered his half-brother Amnon in revenge (2 Samuel 13). What Can Galileo Teach Us about Science and Faith? Some details may not have major stories attached, and not all of them have detailed themes or takeaways. After this, the Lord struck Nabal and took his life. He founded the Judaean dynasty and united all the tribes of Israel under a single monarch. We can learn much from his mistakes. Article Images Copyright . This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. (Proverbs 11:14), Lean into God for forgiveness, comfort, and direction. David and Solomon would have grown up hearing the stories of Gods redemption of their family line through Boaz, the kinsman-redeemer. Thus, although Abishag was not Davids wife or concubine, her intimate connection with the king resulted in people using her as a pawn. However, its not clear if they reconciled after she rebuked David. We don't know if David dealt with Amnon's sin following Tamar's rape, but there's not much evidence in the Bible to confirm that he did much of anything. We strive to approve comments the day they are made, but please allow at least 24 hours for your comment to appear. What happened in the lives of David's children is mostly unknown; however, several of his sons, and one daughter, in particular, grew up to play a major role in David's later years and the future of Israel. Amnon David's oldest son grew up to be a selfish, licentious young man who was consumed with lust for his virgin half-sister Tamar. Cover 98.5 percent of the UK with Bible truth now! Michal(1 Sam 18:20-27)(1 Sam 19:11-17)(1 Sam 25:44)(2 Sam 3:13-14) God restored David to intimate spiritual fellowship. An inspiring passage from Scripture delivered to your inbox every day! However, after Solomon became king, Adonijah used Bathsheba to ask Solomon a favor: he wanted Abishags hand in marriage (1 Kings 2:13-23). He only notices Bathsheba because hes home when hes supposed to be leading his troops. Bathsheba, also spelled Bethsabee, in the Hebrew Bible (2 Samuel 11, 12; 1 Kings 1, 2), wife of Uriah the Hittite; she later became one of the wives of King David and the mother of King Solomon. Who Were David's Wives, and Why Should We Know Their Names? (Actually, Saul promised David his older daughter Merab, hoping the Philistines would kill David. While he walked around on the roof of his house, David spied the married woman, Bathsheba, bathing. Depending on the length of a woman's period, this seven-day injunction before purification virtually guarantees that a woman will most likely be ovulating, or close to ovulating when she resumes having sex. Bathshebawas Davids last wife (at least the last one mentioned in the Bible) and probably his most famous. Worship with Pastor Dougs church each week, featuring beautiful music and life-changing Bible study. A Case Study in Narrative Theology in Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 17/2 (Autumn 2006): 8195. Unfortunately, bad habits can be learned and passed on to our children if not challenged or corrected early. Sources:TheGospelCoalition.org, 'Did King David Rape Bathsheba? Comments containing URLs outside the family of Amazing Facts websites will not be approved. A wife not covered in either list, Davids first wife, is mentioned in several stories about Davids exploit. The second is that their stories show us a side of David we often forget. Haggith(1 Chr 3:2)(2 Sam 3:4) They are: -Japhia-Elishama-Eliada-Eliphelet-Tamar, the only daughter named amongst David's children. Whereas Saul lacked sufficient self-confidence to lead the nation appropriately, David was ever sure of himself [an important component of true trust in Gd] yet knew to repent in an instant and keep his teshuvah alive . Although feminist biblical interpretation contends that Bathsheba was a victim of David, other scholars find a clue to Bathsheba's complicity among King David's wives in 2 Samuel 4:11. Psalm 32 relays how Davids sin and restoration affected him physically, psychologically, and spiritually. You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel. As a result, Bathsheba became pregnant with their illegitimate child and told David he was the father. Bathsheba and David's Adultery Led Him to Greater Sins. Consumed with lust for power, Saul sought to destroy David because Gods favor rested on him, and David was deemed a contender for the throne (1 Samuel 18:12-16). We know Abigail was unusually wise, and nothing about how she related to David later in life. What Makes Twila Paris a Great Christian Musician? Listen to all of Amazing Facts audio programming whenever and wherever you go. However, God's mercies are proven to be far more powerful than any sin or parental mistake(Deuteronomy 5:9-10). Davids greatest attribute was being called a man after Gods own heart. While he pursued relationship with God, he at times neglected to guard it from his own sinful nature. She loves traveling, reading, missions, art, and dessert. He recalled Uriah from the front, supposedly to give him a report on the battle, and then told him to take some leave and visit his wife. How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life 4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible, 20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Whether Bathsheba is guilty or not, is less important in the Bible than the guilt of the king himself: Nathan comes to David, not Bathsheba, to point out the error of his ways. He had the capacity to make choices which either adhered to Gods Word or blatantly disobeyed it. He also lost the respect of his people, and his reputation was permanently besmirched. She begged for forgiveness and gave David a handsome number of supplies, thus staying Davids hand from taking vengeance by his own hand. Among other things, the fact David chose to have multiple wives proves he was a sinner. Others have speculated that in the pagan societies surrounding Israel, having multiple wives was a way kings showed their power. Tamar After Amnon raped his half-sister Tamar, the Bible tells us that he "hated her with a very great hatred; for the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her now throw this woman out of my presence, and lock the door behind her" (2 Samuel 13:15,17). David was a fallible human being who made poor choices as well as good ones and had to face those actions consequences. Please be patient. 4. David killed a lot of people in battle. How many of them learned these bad habits from their father? David had four wives whose names we knowAhinoam, Abigail (2 Samuel 2:2), Eglah (2 Samuel 3:5), and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:27)and possibly others such as Absalom's mother Maakah. [1] He was a younger brother of Shammuah (sometimes referred to as Shammua or Shimea), Shobab, and Solomon. Related: Listen to our FREE Bible podcast,How to Study the Bible! Unfortunately, this is where David failed many of his other children. Bathsheba was a victim who suffered from multiple life-changing traumas in the same year. In brokering peace and power for Israel among neighboring nations, Solomon acquired 1000 women. How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life 4 Things You May Not Know About Abraham in the Bible, 20 Facts You May Not Know About Moses from the Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), Guard your heart. Sue is a top-contributor to Salem Web Network radio ministry and Crosswalk.com. He began making poor decisions in areas of his life where he didnt think it mattered. Davids laziness in rooting out lust overlaps into a laziness of calling and purpose. Gods Word is perfect, but if we dont take the time to understand what it actually means, the world will propagate its false understandings and leave us speechless. David slept with Bathsheba and arranged for Uriahs death when he discovered Bathsheba was pregnant (2 Samuel 11:14-27). The Bible even refers to him as a "man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Pastor Dougs worldwide radio program will help you find answers to your biggest Bible questions. Years later, Absalom became convinced he could do a better job as king than his seemingly passive father. will be automatically deleted and the invitation to participate revoked. Pastor and therapist Ted Roberts gives an interesting theory in his book Pure Desire and other resources: David may have been stuck in a cycle of sexual bondage. Like many men struggling with pornography or sexual issues, David had a harsh relationship with his father, who called David his youngest son, using a Hebrew word that also means unimportant. Men with sexual issues also have illicit behavior they try to hide (David hid his affair with Bathsheba), and pass on their dysfunctional behavior to their children without ever confronting the problem (Amnon rapes his half-sister, David got angry but did nothing about it). All 27 lessons of our popular Bible lesson series available at the click of your mouse. Bathsheba is the wife most people associate with David . But power and money makes us feel like we deserve certain indulgences we might not have without a position of power. In all of Scripture, the life of David may be the most dramatic recorded. Heres the plot summary, and its spicy enough for any Netflix series: King David stays home when hes supposed to go to war. David tries again the next night, this time getting Uriah drunk. This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Confession and repentance not only makes our hearts whole again; it also resets our physical and emotional states. 1 Chronicles 3:1-9 lists sons that David had with seven women, six of which he married while living in exile in Hebron. There are a variety of reasons to learn about them, with two particularly clear ones. Their later marriage seems to have been close ( 2 Samuel 12:24) and loyal ( 1 Kings 1:28-31 ). His first six sons, recorded in 2 Samuel 3:1-5 and 1 Chronicles 3:1-4, are: 1. God never did. God calls us to holiness, not convenience. They are as follows: Michal:She is the first of Davids wives. We have compiled these articles to help you study those whom God chose to set before us as examples in His Word. Solomon replied, you might as well ask me to give him the kingdom! (1 Kings 2:22). Did she resist, beg, or comply? David is an important figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. 1. 3) Davids actions would be repeated in his family for generations. Nathan predicts the babys death and that violence and abuse will continue in Davids family. He had planned the murder of his half-brother Amnon for years, allowing his hatred of Amnon to "boil" over past the point of no return. At this point David was desperate. Again, with sinister motives, Saul told David he could still become his son-in-law by marrying Michal. Eglah married David while he was in exile, and had a son named Ithream. Even if Bathsheba played a part, scriptures deem David's sin in their affair to be greater for two reasons. Understand Bible prophecy and more at these local events in your area. When David couldn't get Uriah to sleep with his wife Bathsheba (and therefore conceal David's adultery), he . Its the false assumption Scripture condones all behavior recorded in the historical narratives of the Bible, especially if Gods disapproval is not explicitly expressed in the immediate context of the behaviors in question. We are told the names of some of his wives in the verses below,however, it says in (2 Sam 5:13) that when David got to Jerusalem he took more wives. We are not given the names of these women. Sue has a BA in Creative Writing and a Masters in Theology and Culture. Davids passages of confession and repentance are some of the most-read and most encouraging Psalms in Scripture. While David did some great and wise things, he didnt always do the right thing. Even in light of Davids polygamy, we can trust God worked through all things for His glory. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. This plan failed as Uriah faithfully refused to even go home, lest he sleep with his wife. Who Was Isaiah & Why Was He Important? Even so, it wasnt too late to ask for forgiveness and return to intimacy with the Father. How Can I Recognize and Understand the Holy Spirit Better? David's mighty men were a group of his best thirty-seven fighters (later expanded to around eighty). 10 Things You Need to Know about the Number 666, 10 Books of the Bible You Should Read Again and Again, 10 Most Encouraging Bible Verses That Will Uplift Your Heart and Soul, 5 Things That Hurt Relationships with Grandkids, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life Losses, 4 Things You Should Know about Big George Foreman, 8 Ways You Are Belittling Your Husband and What God Says about It, Maybe Money Can Buy Happiness, but Not Joy. All rights reserved. Article copyright 2006 by Richard M. Davidson. 10 Things You Need to Know about the Number 666, 10 Books of the Bible You Should Read Again and Again, 10 Most Encouraging Bible Verses That Will Uplift Your Heart and Soul, 5 Things That Hurt Relationships with Grandkids, 30 Morning Prayers to Start Each Day with God, How to Have Joy in Your Golden Years Despite These 10 Life Losses, 4 Things You Should Know about Big George Foreman, 8 Ways You Are Belittling Your Husband and What God Says about It, Maybe Money Can Buy Happiness, but Not Joy. Instead, God gave David a second son (Solomon) later onand this son becomes the next king of Israel (leap-frogging over his older brothers from other marriages). David then married Abigail, and she had a son named Daniel. Eventually, Joab killed Absalom. Free will is a tremendous gift given to us by God because it enables our actions to have meaning and purpose; however, we can abuse it to do unspeakable things in pursuit of our selfish ambitions. She and her husband Shane are launching a podcast called Stress Test: the heartbeat of healthy leadership in late April, 2023. David used several different women to balance out his faults. Although Nathan is the third son raised by David and Bathsheba, he is the fourth born to Bathsheba. Available atLifeAudio.com. A:We cannot not know for certain how many wives David had. Depending on what Sunday School you attended, you might not know there were multiple wives. Uriah still wont go home. The womens pagan backgrounds wooed Solomon away from truth and introduced Israel to idolatry. Although the lists of his mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8-39 & 1 Chronicles 11:10-47) are given after David has become king, many of them may have been the loyal followers who stayed with him when he was fleeing King Saul.At the very least, they fought side by side with him. The stories and names of some of them have transcended more in history, while others have simply been mentioned without specifying the origin. But Uriah didn't go home; he stayed within the palace barracks. The fact that an innocent child diesinstead of the guilty pairis troubling in light of what we know of God's . This story shows that God can redeem us even after we have wandered far off the path. It stands as a clear warning to every leader, every spouse, and every believer who loves God and feels secure in their own perspectives. He is the writer of a special Scripture study/reflection addendum to Someplace to Be Somebody, authored by his wife, Lisa Loraine Baker (End Game Press Spring 2022). But David was foiled again; drunk though he was, honorable Uriah returned to the barracks and not to his wife. While reading through Davids life, it is evident he did not always make good decisions. And one said, "Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. The story of David and Bathsheba is told in 2 Samuel 11 and 12, set against the backdrop of David's war against the Ammonites, a tribe from a region east of the Dead Sea that is now part of present-day Jordan. David consoled Bathsheba by getting her pregnant again, this time with a son the named Solomon.
Rawls Rejects Utilitarianism Because,
Alex Reno Son Of Mike Reno,
What Is A Dmv Professional Certificate,
Florida Driver License Valid Pending Sanctions,
Articles H