According to the Hebrew Bible, David was the third king of the United Kingdom of Israel. In the Books of Samuel, he is described as a young shepherd and harpist who gains fame by slaying Goliath, a champion of the Philistines, in southern Canaan. David becomes a favorite of Saul, the first king of Israel; he also forges a notably close friendship with Jonathan, a son of Saul. However, under the suspicion that David is seeking to usurp the throne, Saul attempts to kill David, forcing the latter to go into hiding and effectively operate as a fugitive for several years. After Saul and Jonathan are killed in battle against the Philistines, a 30-year-old David is anointed King over all of Israel and Judah. Following his rise to power, David conquered the city of Jerusalem. He established it as Israel's capital, subsequently taking the Ark of the Covenant into the city to be the central point of worship in the Israelite religion.
The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the most dramatic accounts in the Old Testament. One night in Jerusalem, King David was walking on his rooftop when he spotted a beautiful woman bathing nearby (2 Samuel 11:2). David asked his servants about her and was told she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23:39). Despite her marital status, David summoned Bathsheba to the palace, and they slept together.
Bathsheba later discovered she was pregnant (2 Samuel 11:5) and informed David. The King's reaction was to attempt to hide his sin. David commanded Uriah to report back to him from the battlefield. Bathsheba's husband dutifully answered David's summons, and David sent him home, hoping that Uriah would sleep with Bathsheba and thus provide a cover for the pregnancy. Uriah did the same thing the next night, showing integrity sharply contrasting to David's lack. Instead of obeying David's orders, Uriah slept in the quarters of the palace servants, refusing to enjoy a respite with Bathsheba while his men on the battlefield were still in harm's way (2 Samuel 11:9–11).
It became apparent that David and Bathsheba's adultery could not be covered up that way. David enacted a second, more sinister plan: he commanded his military leader, Joab, to place Uriah on the front lines of battle and purposefully fall back from him, leaving Uriah exposed to enemy attack. Joab followed the directive, and Uriah was killed in battle. After her time of mourning, Bathsheba married David and gave birth to a son. "But," 2 Samuel 11:27 notes, "the thing David had done displeased the LORD."
When David and Bathsheba's child was born, the Lord sent the prophet Nathan to confront David. Nathan used a parable: a wealthy man took a poor man's only sheep and killed it, even though he had many flocks. David, a former shepherd, was so angered by this story, which he thought was true, that he responded, "As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this must die! He must pay for that lamb four times over because he did such a thing and had no pity" (2 Samuel 12:5–6).
Nathan then pointed to David and uttered the chilling words, "You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7). David was the one guilty of this sin, and judgment would be upon his house in the form of ongoing violence. David repented (see Psalm 51), and Nathan said, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die" (2 Samuel 12:13–14). The child died a week later, and David's household experienced further hardship in later years. Four of David's sons suffered untimely deaths—the "four times over" judgment David had pronounced upon himself.
Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
PSALM 51 - TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID, WHEN NATHAN THE PROPHET WENT TO HIM AFTER HE HAD GONE INTO BATHSHEBA.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
In the account of David and Bathsheba, we find many lessons. First, secret sin will be found. Second, God will forgive anyone who repents. Third, sin's consequences remain even when the sin is forgiven. Fourth, God can work even in difficult situations. David and Bathsheba's next son, Solomon, became the heir to the throne. Even in dire situations, God's plan serves His sovereign purpose.
Bible Story of King David and Bathsheba, the Wife of Uriah
This is a summary of the Biblical account of David and Bathsheba. The story of David and Bathsheba reminds us of how great men called by God are still humans and struggle with sin. Read more in-depth Bible verses in the Scripture below and use the articles to understand the meaning behind this teachable event in the Bible.
Adultery of David
The events begin with King David choosing to stay home in Jerusalem while he sent the rest of the Israelite army to fight other nations and kings. David is relaxing and walking on the palace roof when he sees a beautiful woman bathing on her roof. David was immediately drawn to her and sent messengers to find out who she was. The messengers returned and told David that her name was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah. Despite David knowing she was married, he sent for her and slept with her. Bathsheba later sends word to David that she is pregnant.
Uriah Sent to His Death
David was nervous that his sin of adultery would now be found out. The King called for Uriah to come home so that he could spend a night with his wife, Bathsheba, and cover up the sin that Bathsheba was pregnant with David's child. However, Uriah refused to sleep with his wife while his fellow men were off fighting. David was filled with anger that his plan did not work. When Uriah went back to war, King David sent a note to the army commander with instructions to have Uriah put at the frontline and to withdraw so that he would die. Bathsheba mourned her husband's death and was brought to King David to be his wife.
The prophet Nathan visited King David and told him of the Lord's disapproval and displeasure with David. Even though David repented of his sin, Nathan told David that the son Bathsheba was expecting would die.
Bible Commentary on David and Bathsheba
Observe the occasions of David's sin; what led to it. 1. Neglect of his business. He tarried at Jerusalem. When we are out of our duty, we are in temptation.
2. Love of ease: idleness gives a great advantage to the tempter.
3. A wandering eye. He had not, like Job, made a covenant with his eyes, or, at this time, he had forgotten it. Moreover, observe the steps of the sin. See how the way of sin is downhill; when men begin to do evil, they cannot soon stop. Observe the aggravations of the sin. How could David rebuke or punish that in others, of which he was conscious that he had been guilty?
Robbing a man of his reason is worse than robbing him of his money, and drawing him into sin, is worse than drawing him into worldly trouble. Giving way to sin hardens the heart and provokes the departure of the Holy Spirit.
Who Were David and Bathsheba?
The tragic story of David and Bathsheba is told in 2 Samuel 11-12:25. At David's instigation, Bathsheba is brought to him, and "he lay with her" (2 Samuel 11:4), the consequences of which resonate in history. Nowhere in Scripture does it say Bathsheba was a willing participant in this sin; only the actions of David are mentioned. It is understandable that at the beckon of a king, a person could be afraid not to appear before him nor object to his wishes. We do not know. However, from that time on, David and Bathsheba are linked via that sin, despite the eventual good that came from their later union as husband and wife.
Before David became Israel's second king (after God rejected Saul), he was a shepherd (1 Samuel 17:12-15), slew mighty adversaries (1 Samuel 17:23-51), and was a mighty man of battle (1 Samuel 18:5). The great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth, David was of the tribe of Judah. He was born in Bethlehem (and is in the genealogy of Jesus Christ). To say David is unique is understating his role in God's story because he was anointed (1 Samuel 10:1) and was Israel's greatest King. He won numerous battles and made a united Israel a daunting nation as he enlarged its land and military power while directing his people to God.
Bathsheba, as we learn in 2 Samuel 11, was Uriah the Hittite's beautiful wife and the daughter of Eliam. After the death of their first child, Bathsheba conceived Solomon. Later in life, after David's death, Bathsheba counseled Solomon (1 Kings 2:13-24).
What Happened in the Story of David and Bathsheba?
To better understand the ramifications of his sin, let us look at David and his position as a man "after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). "In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab…But David remained at Jerusalem" (2 Samuel 11:1, 1 Chronicle 20:1). David, "arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house" and as he looked, he saw a woman bathing, "and the woman was very beautiful" (2 Samuel 11:2). He asked about her and found she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. David sent messengers and, as we saw before, had her brought to him, and he lay with her.
She soon discovered she was pregnant by David, and he tried to conceal his wrongdoing by ordering Uriah back from battle in the hopes he would lay with his wife, Bathsheba. Uriah proved noble and refused to find comfort while his comrades were in the fields of war (2 Samuel 11:11). Ironically, this also followed the Law regarding purification in times of war (Deuteronomy 23:9-11). In this instance, Uriah the Hittite proved more righteous than King David, a Jew who was God's anointed.
Undaunted, David had Uriah sent to the front line, where the most brutal fighting was, so he would be struck down and die, which is what happened (2 Samuel 11:15-17). Uriah's dignity brought about his death, while David's transgression ended with the death of his and Bathsheba's first child.
David took Bathsheba as his wife after her time of mourning for Uriah's death, but "the thing that David had done displeased the Lord" (2 Samuel 11:27). David and Bathsheba's son was born, but "the Lord struck the child…and it became ill" (2 Samuel 12:15). David pleaded with God and fasted, to no avail. The child died (2 Samuel 12:16-19). David "comforted Bathsheba, his wife…and later "she bore a son…Solomon" (2 Samuel 12:24).
What Were the Consequences of David's Actions?
There is no getting around the fact that—even though David was "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22)—he abused his power and dishonored God's Law.
Before his encounter with Bathsheba, David's arc went from achievement to achievement. He slew beasts, defeated Goliath, was heralded by the people in song as a mighty warrior (1 Samuel 21:11), and became King of all Israel and Judah. After his transgression, however, his life was fraught with pain and betrayal. David and Bathsheba's son died. His daughter, Tamar, was raped by David's son, Amnon, whom her brother, Absalom, murdered. Absalom betrayed David and went after the kingship in a stunning coup d’état. Absalom also raped his father, David's concubines, and expelled David to exile. David is eventually restored but is bitter and leaves instructions with Solomon to exact revenge on his enemies. Even after his death, Adonijah, another son, is murdered in the conflict for succession.
In 2 Samuel 12:5-6, David reacts to the parable Nathan shared about a rich man who, for the pleasure of a traveler, took a poor man's beloved pet ewe lamb instead of one of his own and had him prepared for the traveler's supper (2 Samuel 12:1-4). Nathan said, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity" (emphasis mine). This was in answer to Nathan telling him the sword would never depart from his house, and though David manifested his sin in secret, the Lord would raise adversity against him "before all Israel" (2 Samuel 12:7-10, 11-12).
The fourfold restoration reference may be in allusion to the ensuing deaths of David's four sons: (Bathsheba's first son (2 Samuel 12:18), Amnon (2 Samuel 13:28-29), Absalom (2 Samuel 16:14-15), and Adonijah (1 Kings 2:25).
Also, it is a possible allusion to four disasters that marked the final years of David's reign: Tamar being raped by her brother, Amnon (2 Samuel 13:1-22) and Amnon's death at the hands of his brother, Absalom (2 Samuel 13:23-33), Absalom's traitorous rebellion (2 Samuel 15:1-18:8) and his death by Joab (2 Samuel 18:9-19:8), Sheba's rebellion (2 Samuel 20:1-22) and the plague which followed David's census (2 Samuel 24:1-25), and Adonijah's conspiracy to clutch the throne, which endangered Solomon's and Bathsheba's lives (1 Kings 1:1-53).
8 Important Lessons from the Story of David and Bathsheba
Forgiveness does not always mean no consequences (2 Samuel 12:13-14).
David fasted and prayed for his and Bathsheba's son, yet after the son died, David worshiped the Lord and acknowledged what he knew of Him (2 Samuel 12:20-22). Are we in place of God that we should expect Him to grant a "yes" to every petition? Not. David understood that, as should we. Our sins not only affect us, but they also affect others. Sin equals consequences, as we saw for David.
No sin escapes God's notice.
The prophet Nathan told David, "Therefore, the sword will never depart from your house" (2 Samuel 12;10). God is omniscient. He sees everything transpiring throughout the universe (Hebrews 4:13). Christians should care about their sin because they will give an account to God (Romans 14:12), which is terrifying.
We cannot control the effects of our sin, and all sin affects others.
Temptation often encourages an arrogant approach to things where we think we have more control than we—in reality—do. David could not control the grief which resulted from his sin, either for himself or Bathsheba, nor could he prevent the child's death. He could not influence God's response, and he could not control the family turmoil.
Sin must be confronted in confessing his egregious (conspicuous, conspicuously bad, flagrant) sin. David worshiped the Lord and asked God to cleanse him (Psalm 51). Nathan possibly risked his own life when he confronted David, but David knew his sin was against God and regarded God as the only one who could forgive him. We, too, can go to God—with a contrite spirit—a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). When we sin, we must acknowledge we are first sinning against God, and then we confess our sins against others. Christians often need another brother or sister to point out their sin due to pride or ignorance (Galatians 6:1).
Everyone is capable of great evil. David, a man God chose to lead a unified Israel—a man God called one after His own heart—committed adultery and murder. Perhaps the greatest Apostle, Paul, ravaged the early Christian church as Pharisee Saul and oversaw the stoning death of Stephen. Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus and was changed forever. Countless murders and other evil actions are committed daily, some in secret, some openly.
God works through all things (Psalm 51, 2 Samuel 12:24, Romans 8:28). In recognition of Who God is (sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, holy, etc.), we, as believers in the Lord Jesus, can trust God to care for us (1Peter 5:7) and to glorify Himself. No matter what depths we sink, God will forgive us when we come to Him with confession and repentance (1 John 1:9). God used David's sin to inspire him to write Psalm 51, which has helped countless Christians who grieve over their sin.
Sin is never satisfied (Genesis 4:7, 2 Samuel 12:6-9). Sin is bondage to that which opposes God. By its very definition, a sinful lifestyle always seeks more—more money, pleasure, escapes, etc. As believers in Jesus Christ, we find abundant life in Him (John 4;14, 10:10). Without faith in Jesus, we will never know the freedom of belonging to the Lord.
David was remorseful and knew he had sinned against the Lord. With an attitude of repentance and complete trust in God, we can rest assured that He will forgive us and comfort us, just as He did with David. God hears our prayers and brings us comfort (Psalm 51:12, 17).
