BIBLICAL STORY ANALYSIS

The Story of David and Bathsheba

(2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12:25)

PRELUDE
King David was nearly in his 40 year-reign. It was spring, when kings usually go to war,
David sent his commander, Joab, together with the king’s men, and the whole Israelite
army. They destroyed the Ammonites and conquered Rabbah. King David remained in
Jerusalem.

PLOT
One evening, David woke up from his bed and walked around the roof of the palace. From
the roof afar, he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent
someone to find out about her. She was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife
of Uriah, the Hittite.
David sent messengers to get her. He came to her and slept with her. At that time, she
was on a purification ritual due to her monthly uncleanness. Then she went back home.
Later on, she told David that she is pregnant. David sent word to Joab to fetch Uriah from
the battle. When Uriah came to him, David asked how Uriah is faring, how the soldiers
were, and the ongoing war. David said to Uriah to go to his house. Uriah left the king’s
presence and a gift from the King was sent to him. But Uriah instead slept at the palace
gate with the servants and did not go home. David was told of what happened and asked
Uriah. Uriah said that he cannot bear to think of himself while his comrades were fighting.
David told Uriah to come back the next day and they had a small feast. David purposefully
made him drunk. In the evening, Uriah did not go home and slept on the mat along with
the servants.
In the morning, David wrote a letter to Joab saying to put Uriah in the battlefield where
the fighting is the fiercest, then leave him there to die. While Joab and his troops were
under siege, he put Uriah in the fiercest stronghold. Some of their men died, including
Uriah. Joab sent a full account of the battle. He instructed the messenger that if the King
reads the letter, got mad and say as to why they went so close to danger, the messenger
must tell the king: “Uriah the Hittite is dead.” The messenger went to the palace and do
what he was told.
When news came to Bathsheba that her husband is dead, she mourned for him.
Afterwards, David took him to the palace, made her his wife, and bore a son. What David
had done was quite displeasing in the sight of the Lord.
The prophet Nathan visited David and told him a parable of a rich man and a poor man.
Nathan asked David about who among the two men must be punished. David answered
correctly, but instead he was reprimanded by Nathan and told David that God had seen
the evil deed he has done, committing adultery with Bathsheba and killing Uriah. David
admitted his sin. He was forgiven, but since his sin is too grave, the Lord decided that his
son with Bathsheba will die.
Later on, the Lord willed that the child born to David and Bathsheba with sickness. David
pleaded with God for many days and nights, he refused to eat and attend to his duties.
On the seventh day, the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him of what
happened, but they were surprised that the King suddenly returned to his senses. The
attendants asked him of his sudden change. David told that it is pointless to mourn
anymore, because one day he will go to his son, but the latter won’t.
David comforted his wife and they are blessed with another son. They named him
Solomon, because the Lord love him. He sent word to prophet Nathan that the child would
have another name, Jedidiah. God declared that Solomon will be building the God’s
temple, not David.

THEMES

Disobedience – The first theme clearly manifested as the root cause of why David fell
into sin. He was supposed to be in the battlefield, guiding his men. Bible stories tell us
that a sway of God’s command gave the devil a foothold, even the chosen ones, and
there is no exemption to consequences.
Lust – When men disobey God, the devil knows the depth of the evil in our hearts. He
can easily identify the weakness that will lead us to commit sin. As for the case of David,
like any other men, can be easily tempted with anything beautiful. He watched Bathsheba
while she is bathing, he was clearly enticed. He cannot resist the temptation of the beauty
in front of him.
Murder – In order to protect Bathsheba from shame, David executed a plan to hide his
deed.
Adultery – As lust in his thought and heart was reigning, the thought became the deed.
He slept with the woman. But one would notice, why Bathsheba does not have the guts
to resist the king? Is she stupid or selfish? Biblical records didn’t tell exactly if Bathsheba
agreed or was forced at the expense of punishment. One thing is clear, disobey your king
and you disobey God. Who could have blamed Bathsheba?
Love – We can simply say that love blooms between David and Bathsheba. Although a
rough start, it is implied that they love and comforted each other on the death of their
firstborn. Bathsheba, according to records, was David’s favorite. And their love was
deemed forgivable in the Lord’s sight, leading to the birth of Solomon.

MOTIFS

War – The story happened at the time where Israel is threatened to be conquered by
surrounding nations. David was restless on how to manage the situation in his kingdom.
He took advantage of this when dealing with Uriah.

The battlefield – In an attempt to cover his indiscretion, David made his commander to
commit murder.

The sleeping mat – This material is clearly implied as the stronghold of Uriah’s character
as a dedicated soldier. He refused to be selfish for the sake of his comrades.

Pregnancy – It is clearly evident that David was alarmed at this. Panicking upon what he
had done, as his sin is immediately punishable by death. A selfish king will not allow to
be condemned. He did what we should not do as king – Using his authority for his own
ends.
SYMBOLS

The rooftop – The rooftop is the setting that defines the story angle. It was open and
visible from afar that lead David to his weakness.
The promise of forgiveness – Although David had sinned, the Lord forgave and blessed
him because God clearly saw the former’s repentance. The couple’s spirits were
rejuvenated with the promise that one of their descendants will be the Messiah.
Nathan’s parable – A teaching method that helped David to realize his mistake.
Solomon – His birth marks a new beginning for his parents.