Bathsheba, Mother of Solomon, Wife of King David

The relationship between Bathsheba and King David did not begin well. Despite being wronged and mistreated by him, Bathsheba later became David's loyal wife and protective mother of King Solomon, the wisest ruler of Israel.

Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite, a warrior in King David's army. One day while Uriah was away at war, King David was walking on his rooftop and saw the beautiful Bathsheba taking her evening bath.

David summoned Bathsheba and forced her to commit adultery with him. When she became pregnant, David tried to trick Uriah into sleeping with her so it would look like the child was Uriah's. But Uriah, who considered himself still on active duty, refused to go home.

At that point, David devised a plot to have Uriah murdered. He ordered Uriah to be sent to the front lines of battle and abandoned by his fellow soldiers. Thus, Uriah was killed by the enemy. After Bathsheba finished mourning Uriah, David took her for his wife. But David's actions displeased God, and the baby born to Bathsheba died.

Bathsheba bore David other sons, most notably Solomon. God so loved Solomon that Nathan the prophet called him Jedidiah, which means "beloved of Jehovah."

Bathsheba was with David at his death.

The name Bathsheba (pronounced bath-SHEE-buh) means “daughter of the oath,” “daughter of abundance,” or “seven.” 

Bathsheba's Accomplishments

Bathsheba was a faithful wife to David. She became influential in the royal palace.

She was especially loyal to her son Solomon, making sure he followed David as king, even though Solomon was not David's firstborn son.

Bathsheba is one of only five women listed in the ancestry of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:6).

Strengths

Bathsheba was wise and protective.

She used her position to ensure both her and Solomon's safety when Adonijah tried to steal the throne.

Life Lessons

Women had few rights in ancient times. When King David summoned Bathsheba, she had no choice but to go to him. After David had her husband murdered, she had no choice when David took her for his wife. Despite being mistreated, she learned to love David and saw a promising future for Solomon. Often circumstances seem stacked against us, but if we keep our faith in God, we can find meaning in life. God makes sense when nothing else does.

Hometown

Bathsheba was from Jerusalem.

Referenced in the Bible

Bathsheba's story is found in 2 Samuel 11:1-3, 12:24; 1 Kings 1:11-31, 2:13-19; 1 Chronicles 3:5; and Psalm 51:1.

Occupation

Bathsheba was queen, wife, mother, and wise counselor of her son Solomon.

Family Tree

Father - Eliam
Husbands - Uriah the Hittite, and King David.
Sons - An unnamed son, Solomon, Shammua, Shobab, and Nathan.

Key Verses

2 Samuel 11:2-4
One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite." Then David sent messengers to get her. (NIV)

2 Samuel 11:26-27
When Uriah's wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD. (NIV)

2 Samuel 12:24
Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him; (NIV)