Chloe Najem S00276689

Discuss the ongoing relevance of the Bible in the modern world and the

importance of careful biblical interpretation, referring to the topic and biblical

passage you have chosen.

Sexual violence against women has been identified as a global societal issue and is

evident within the Bible. This essay examines the significance of careful biblical

interpretation in relation to this issue and is portrayed within the narrative of David

Bathsheba. The controversy of masculine abuse of power is further explored in the

book of 2 Samuel, within Chapter 11, where David exploited his position as king to

assault Bathsheba, making the story relevant to the modern context of masculine

misuse of power for sexual assault. There are however, opposing perspectives on

this passage, influenced by modern day’s definition of rape. This essay will therefore

express the careful biblical interpretations of various scholars for the passage

presented.

The sexual encounter between David and Bathsheba, as well as its consequences,

have piqued the interest of scholars. On one hand, the burden is placed on

Bathsheba as scholars argue that she bares the weight of seduction and she was not

raped by David. Yet on the other hand, scholars argue that Bathsheba was indeed a

victim of abuse/rape, whether it be that David’s position made Bathsheba consent to

the sexual intercourse or that between David and Bathsheba the idea of Adult and

Minor is presented. Nevertheless, the various biblical interpretations are significant in

proposing an idea.

1
 Chloe Najem S00276689

This encounter between David and Bathsheba has been depicted as adultery

throughout history, implying mutual consent. However, when readers interpret the

facts, they recognize that essentially sexual abuse of power, is considered rape 1.

Often when people hear the word "rape," they envision a disguised male physically

overpowering and forcibly penetrating a lady. To be sure, that is rape. However,

using one's power and control to compel that person into committing sexual actions is

also considered sexual violence. The controversy of masculine abuse of power for

sexual assault is believed to be evident in the David Bathsheba story.

Scholars argue that the instant David beheld Bathsheba, he felt aroused and sexually

desired her. The narrative's increasing speed suggests this because as a result,

David inquired about the woman's identity immediately, 2 “And David sent and

inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of

Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” (2 Samuel 11:3-4). Without prejudice to

Bathsheba’s identity or importance of the identification that Bathsheba is “the wife of

Uriah the Hittite”, her marital status did not have any impact on David. In spite of his

prestige status as King, as well as Bathsheba’s status, he has sexual intercourse

with her.

The passage then continues to say “So David sent messengers and took her, and

she came to him, and he lay with her.” The term “took” implies that the responsibility

is on David for that act. Although the phrase "lay with" that is utilised to describe the

sexual intercourse between David and Bathsheba, does not emphasise David's use

1 Work, Theology. "David’S Rape Of Bathsheba And Murder Of Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12)".
2 Abasili, Alexander Izuchukwu. “Was It Rape? The David and Bathsheba Pericope Re-Examined.”

2
 Chloe Najem S00276689

of excessive physical brutality from his end, this expression can imply rape within this

context. 3 This is due to the fact that David is the sole perpetrator of the action. 2

Samuel 11:4 states that “he lay with her” not "they lay together." The wording used to

describe their interaction here indicates rape rather than adultery 4.

People who believe she deliberately agreed to come to the palace are unaware that

when an ancient monarch ordered a person to the palace, the subject had no option

but to obey 5. Not only is this the case, but David sends more than one messenger to

go and get her. Therefore his authority was expressed while 'Sending many

messengers to get her' thus demonstrating David's power 6.

The modern day expression to describe David’s action is, through the misuse of

power in his position of authority, allows him to abuse that power to victimise a

woman, regardless of whether the victim seems to provide "consent." David, God's

appointed defender of the weak and defenceless, becomes a victim of sexual assault

of the vulnerable. In Modern day life, Intercourse between an adult and a minor, even

a "consenting" child, is now considered as "statutory rape," and is therefore evident

through David's intercourse with Bathsheba. Individuals must therefore respond to

this knowledge by using the story as a textual foundation for addressing the problem

of sexual assault 7.

3 Davidson, M.Richard. “Did King David Rape Bathsheba?” A Case Study in Narrative Theology.
4 Davidson, M.Richard. Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, “Did King David Rape
Bathsheba?”
5 Work, Theology. "David’S Rape Of Bathsheba And Murder Of Uriah (2 Samuel 11-12)".
6 Abasili, Alexander Izuchukwu. “Was It Rape? The David and Bathsheba Pericope Re-Examined.”
7 Abasili, Alexander Izuchukwu. “Was It Rape? The David and Bathsheba Pericope Re-Examined.”

3
 Chloe Najem S00276689

Scholars therefore agree that David "uses his power and authority as king to get what

he wants" and that "nobody would anticipate Bathsheba to defy the king's summons."

They stress that Bathsheba is not to blame for accepting to enter the chamber of a

male with immense authority and a history of violence and that without a doubt, there

is a massive power imbalance between David and Bathsheba. Bathsheba therefore

succumbed to sex through the pressure she encountered rather than actively seeking

it 8.

On the other hand, some scholars believe that Bathsheba was an equal player in

what happened, and state that she'd have known David was able to watch her

bathing from the castle roof and hence purposefully aroused him by exposing her

body in front of him. Scholars also argue that there is no interpretation that supports

the common concept of rape, which involves one person forcibly forcing himself on

another. The Bible makes no mention of rape being the cause of Bathsheba's

pregnancy and that nothing in the Bible supports the allegation that David

overpowered Bathsheba and defiled her violently.

Bathsheba, too, might not want to marry David, but she had no other choice. She

was pregnant and widowed, so she did not object when David summoned her and

welcomed her into his home.9 When David summons her, she arrives at the palace

without reluctance, and there is no mention of her resisting his sexual attempts. “So

David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her” (2

8 Index, Content, Books Bible, and 2 Samuel. 2022. "Did David Rape Bathsheba? |
Gotquestions.Org".
9 Hilary Lipka, "David and Bathsheba"

4
 Chloe Najem S00276689

Samuel 11: 4-5). Some argue that Bathsheba's decision to bathe naked in front of

David was premeditated and that she was attempting to seduce King David.

According to authors such as Jaqueline Grey, Bathsheba is then described as a

"voluntary and equal partner" through the use of sex for political advantage in order

for their kid to be the ruling king. He sees her lack of sorrow in disclosing her

pregnancy as another evidence of her role as both a sexual and political provocateur
10
. This claim is also supported by Caryn Tamber who believes that Bathsheba may

have engaged in "feminine seduction" by bathing in a location where David could

observe her from the roof. She also assures that Bathsheba's provocative conduct of

bathing so near to the king's palace cannot be denied, nor can the notion that the

seduction was purposeful be dismissed. Although it may not be intentional,

Bathsheba's bathing in a location so undoubtedly visible from the king's palace can

scarcely be considered anything less than fundamental neglect on her part 11.

Although not all interpreters agree, the biblical passage confirms that David desires

Bathsheba and sends messengers to bring her. Bathsheba's silence in the passage

makes it perfectly clear that she is powerless no matter how she responds. Due to

the excessive psychological compulsion indicated in the passage, the context

indicates rape which is ruled out by Bathsheba’s silence. The notion of Power rape

occurs when an individual in a position of power exploits that "power" to sexually

victimise a submissive and defenceless individual, regardless of whether the victim

seems to grant "permission."12

10 Grey, Jacqueline. “A Prophetic Call to Repentance: David, Bathsheba and a Royal Abuse of
Power.”
11 Caryn Tamber-Rosenau. “Biblical Bathing Beauties and the Manipulation of the Male Gaze:
12 Grey, Jacqueline. “A Prophetic Call to Repentance: David, Bathsheba and a Royal Abuse of
Power.”

5
 Chloe Najem S00276689

From the viewpoint of perceiving David as a power abuser for sexual assault,

individuals in society as well as in the church should take many approaches to apply

the story to present society. Although this passage never informs readers exactly

what occurred between David and Bathsheba on that warm spring evening, the

evidence suggests that it was not a mutually consenting encounter. Bathsheba was

an innocent victim who was subjected to a heinous misuse of power and sought to

attempt what she could from a bad circumstance.

Through these teachings, individuals are educated on the seriousness and effects on

how sexual assault violates human dignity and Christian ideals. As a result, they are

taught that sexual assault is "a sin that neglects the image of God in both the

offender and the victim." Bathsheba today symbolises women who are unaware of

the presence of potential offenders in society.13

Furthermore, careful biblical interpretation is highly significant in reference to the

biblical passage of the Story of David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11. This is as

different scholars and authors interpret the biblical passage in different ways and

have many opinions.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

13 Ademiluka, Solomon O. “Interpreting the David-Bathsheba Narrative

6
 Chloe Najem S00276689

Abasili, Alexander Izuchukwu. “Was It Rape? The David and Bathsheba Pericope

Re-Examined.” Vetus Testamentum 61, no. 1 (2011): 1–15.

Ademiluka, Solomon O. “Interpreting the David-Bathsheba Narrative (2 Sm 11:2-4)

as a Response by the Church in Nigeria to Masculine Abuse of Power for Sexual

Assault.” Hervormde teologiese studies 77, no. 4 (2021): e1–e11.

Caryn Tamber-Rosenau. “Biblical Bathing Beauties and the Manipulation of the Male

Gaze: What Judith Can Tell Us About Bathsheba and Susanna.” Journal of feminist

studies in religion 33, no. 2 (2017): 55–72.

Davidson, M.Richard. Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, “Did King David

Rape Bathsheba?” A Case Study in Narrative Theology. 17/2 (Autumn 2006): 81–95.

Grey, Jacqueline. “A Prophetic Call to Repentance: David, Bathsheba and a Royal

Abuse of Power.” Pneuma 41, no. 1 (2019): 9–25.

Hilary Lipka, "David and Bathsheba", n.p. [cited 2 Jun 2022]. Online:

https://www.bibleodyssey.org:443/en/people/related-articles/david-and-bathsheba

"Commentary: David Raped Bathsheba, And Why That Matters". 2019. The Salt

Lake Tribune. https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2019/11/01/commentary-david-raped/.

7
 Chloe Najem S00276689

Index, Content, Books Bible, and 2 Samuel. 2022. "Did David Rape Bathsheba? |

Gotquestions.Org". Gotquestions.Org. https://www.gotquestions.org/did-David-rape-

Bathsheba.html.

Work, Theology. 2022. "David’S Rape Of Bathsheba And Murder Of Uriah (2 Samuel

11-12)". Theologyofwork.Org. https://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/samuel-

kings-chronicles-and-work/the-golden-age-of-the-monarchy-2-samuel-1-24-1-kings-

1-11-1-chronicles-21-2/davids-successes-and-failures-as-king-2-samuel-1-24/davids-

rape-of-bathsheba-and-murder-of-uriah-2-samuel-11-12.

WORD COUNT: 1440