Speak Up

Read Matthew 1:6 & 2 Samuel 11-12

Today’s readings tell us more about the men in Bathsheba’s life than about her directly. She is rarely even named, more often described in relationship to her father Eliam, her husband Uriah, and her son Solomon. And yet, this makes sense to me because Bathsheba is a woman at the mercy of the men in her life. 

Bathsheba is often remembered as a sinful woman, but Scripture never condemns her as sinful. When she is summoned to the king’s house, she had little choice but to obey him or risk death for defying him. When her relationship with David is mentioned in 2 Samuel 12:1-6, Nathan condemns David for his sin, and he is held accountable. Bathsheba is, for lack of a better term, collateral damage. 

In this story of Bathsheba’s life, I think there is a lot to learn. First, that secret sin will be found out and God will not allow it: David is exposed for abusing his power to bed a married woman and kill her husband. Second, we see that God will forgive anyone who is truly repentant: David repents and is forgiven, praise God! Third, this story serves as a reminder that sin’s consequences remain even after the sin is forgiven: we still have to account for our actions. And fourth, we see that God is at work, even in difficult situations, working all things out for our good and for His sovereign purpose.

While Scripture doesn’t share the details of the rest of Bathsheba’s life, her son Solomon honors her by documenting her words in the beautiful poetry of Proverbs 31. Verses 8-9 carry so much more significance to me now, after I have spent some time with Bathsheba. In these verses, he writes, quoting his mother: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” These words can only be the words of a woman who has been there; a woman with no power, at the mercy of those with power; a woman who realizes how important it is to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

For Family Discussion: If God already knows our sins, why is it still important to ask God for forgiveness?  

For Personal Reflection: What do you think Bathsheba came to know about God that kept her from lifelong bitterness and resentment? What was she counting on God to do?

by Liz Carver