"...Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife" ~ Matthew 1:6

The story of Bathsheba is found in the Bible in 2 Samuel, chapter 11. - I suggest you read the narrative for yourself. It's an amazing story of God's grace.

Bathsheba is best remembered for being an adulteress, the woman involved in infidelity with King David. Throughout the ages, she has been accused of tempting King David by bathing out in the open. She's been accused as being the real guilty party in the affair. Perhaps Bathsheba remains one of the most maligned women of the Bible. Despite the Bible repeatedly placing the blame solely on King David, commentators, preachers, and lay people continue to heap the blame squarely on the shoulders of Bathsheba.

According the Bible narrative, David stayed home at a time that he should have been out to war. But he didn't go. When we are shirking our duty, it always leads to trouble. With all this time on his hands, David took a stroll on his roof, which being the kings house, would have been far above all that occurred around him. The Bible does not tell us where Bathsheba was bathing, but David saw her and thought she was beautiful. Now, remember, no where does the Bible indicate that Bathsheba knew David was watching her, or that she was "flaunting" herself at the King. Also note, that it doesn't say that David falls in love with her, but that he thinks she's beautiful. The king inquires about her. He sent someone to investigate her. He found out that she was married, but it didn't stop him. He wanted her and he sent for her.

Now, if any blame could be placed on Bathsheba at all, it would be because she came when the king summoned her. Yet, could she have defied the king? He sent messengers to summons her. More than one. Could she have said no and lived?

David summoned Bathsheba, lay with her, and sent her away. But the nightmare was not over for her. Bathsheba conceived a child that night. Her husband had been off in battle, so she was sure the child was the king's. She sent a message to the king, hoping for help.

How did David respond? He hoped to get Bathsheba's husband, Uriah, home on leave and in bed with his wife, thus covering up his own sin. But his plan didn't work. Uriah was an honorable man. He would not allow himself the comforts of home while the king's army was in battle. So David made plans to have Uriah murdered. After Uriah was dead and Bathsheba mourned him. After the period of mourning was over, David arranged for Bathsheba to become another one of his wives.

Often it is assumed that Bathsheba arranged or instigated this whole scenario, but the Bible is clear that David planned and implemented the liaison, the deception, and the murder, and finally, the marriage. David had thought that he had covered his tracks successfully. However, his sin hadn't gone un-noticed. The prophet Nathan brought a message of rebuke to the king.

Bathsheba bore a son to the king, but the Lord struck the child with illness and the child died. Why did this happen? I don't know. I don't know why God took the life of an innocent child for the sin of his father. David and Bathsheba had been punished with the death of their son, but the Lord offered restoration by giving them another son, who found favor in God's sight. This son, Solomon was to continue the line of David. David gave Bathsheba his word. More importantly, God had chosen Solomon, whose name means "beloved of the Lord", to be the next King of Israel and to be numbered among the descendants of Jesus Christ.

Near the end of David's life there is a struggle regarding who would be king after David died (1 Kings 1). Bathsheba was quick to remind David of his promise and David was true to his word. He made Solomon king in his place before he died.

Not much is said about Bathsheba's life as a mother of Solomon, but she must have wielded great influence over his life for the Scripture tells us in 1 Kings 2:19, 20:

When Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, the king stood up to meet her, bowed down to her and sat down on his throne. He had a throne brought for the king's mother, and she sat down at his right hand."I have one small request to make of you," she said. "Do not refuse me." The king replied, "Make it, my mother; I will not refuse you."

Bathsheba approached her son and the king not only rose to meet her, but bowed down before her! This verse gives us insight to the
personal power of Bathsheba at the time.

Bathsheba might have been easily forgotten as just another scandal in the Old Testament if not for her role in one of the major events of
history. The Gospel of Matthew states: "and Jesse, the father of King David. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah." A woman with a shady past, linked with adultery and murder, was part of the heritage of the Son of God. God made sure she was recognized. If His grace covered Bathsheba, surely it will cover you too.