Bathsheba

Day 1

Bathsheba
Her name means “ The Seventh Daughter” or “The Daughter of an Oath”
Her Character: Her beauty made her victim to a king’s desire. Though it is difficult to discern her true character, she seems to have found the courage to endure tragedy, winning the king’s confidence and eventually securing the kingdom for her son Solomon.
Her Sorrow: To have been molested by a supposedly godly man, who then murdered her husband. To have suffered the loss of one of her sons.
Her Joy: To have given birth to five sons, one of whom became king of Israel after David’s death.
Key Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1 - 12:25

Day 2

Ritual Bathing

In Bathsheba’s day it was not common to bathe unless it was a ceremonial cleansing from a period of being unclean. Scripture mentions cleansing with water hundreds of times. Most referring to a ritual rather than a physical cleansing. Cleansing took place after many kinds of skin disease were healed (Leviticus 14:8), and after men and women had unusual discharges (Leviticus 15:13). Men and women both had to cleanse themselves after sexual intercourse to be ceremonially clean (Leviticus 15:18). Priests cleansed themselves before offering sacrifices (Exodus 29:4; Leviticus 8:6) and the sacrifices themselves were washed before being offered to God (Leviticus 1:9). Physical cleansing was more often done when washing hands before eating and feet when entering a house. Usually feet were cleaned often as that was the most common form of transportation. It was commonly the job of the lowest member or servant of the household. Jesus modeled this when he bathed the disciple’s feet in the Upper Room (John 13:5). Cleanliness was also referred to when describing the righteous (Job 17:9; Psalm 24:4). It was used as a metaphor for being forgiven. (Job 33:9) Other references were found in Psalm 51:7; Revelation19:8.

We live in a culture that glorifies outward cleanliness with soaps, lotions, toothpastes, disinfectants, bathing, brushing, washing and wiping. If only our culture would be more concerned with the inner cleanliness. We can be outwardly clean and have spirits filled with hate. Do we have beautiful faces, soft and clean, but never smile? Outward cleanliness is admirable, but only if inward cleanliness accompanies it.

Day 3

Read 2 Samuel 11:2 - 5

What might Bathsheba have been thinking when David’s men came to get her? Could she have said no to David the King?

What part do you think Bathsheba played in the events outlined in these verses? Totally innocent? Artful seductress? Or something in between?

How do you resist your most frequent temptation? What path away from temptation could David and Bathsheba have taken?

Describe how you think Bathsheba probably felt when she realized she was pregnant with David’s child? Why did she immediately tell David?

What would you have done in Bathsheba’s situation? What would your primary feeling have been? Fear? Guilt? Joy at being pregnant? Anger at David?

Read 2 Samuel 11:6 - 27; 12:13

These verses outline in frightening detail the depth to which David would go to cover up his sin with Bathsheba. How could God possibly say that David was a “man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22)

What makes us acceptable in God’s eyes: the fact that we’re sinless, or the fact that we’re repentant and forgiven? How does this change how you feel before God?

Read 2 Samuel 12:1 - 23

What character represents Bathsheba in Nathan the prophet’s story? What does that tell you about what God thought of her part in these events?

Describe a time when you were the innocent victim. How did you “pick up the pieces” even though you weren’t at fault?

Verses 15 - 23 recount David’s reaction to the sickness and death of his son. Where was Bathsheba during this time? What was she likely experiencing?

Read 2 Samuel 12:24 - 25

Bathsheba now accepts comfort from David (12:24), the very man who had brought all this misery on her. Does that surprise you? Why or why not?

Solomon’s name from the Lord was actually Jedidiah, which means “loved by the Lord.” What sense of God’s restoration for Bathsheba and David does this name give you?

Day 4

Her Legacy of Prayer

7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8 I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! 9 Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon. -2 Samuel 12:7 - 9

Reflect On: 2 Samuel 12:1 -25
Praise God: That he is quick to note our suffering
Offer Thanks: That God calls the powerful to abide by the same moral standards as the weak.
Confess: Any unforgiveness you may have toward another.
Ask God: To restore your confidence and to free you from any tendency to take on the mind-set of a victim.Dear Lord, I praise you for this day. I praise you for giving me the ability to live freely on this earth. I pray that I will hear your nudging and act according to your will. To many times people play the victim. Help us to stand strong in each and every circumstance. Amen.

Day 5

Lift your heart
If you have suffered abuse - whether sexual, physical, or emotional - don’t bury your feelings, absorbing the shame and guilt that belong to the abuser. Instead, share your pain with at least one other person - a trusted friend or counselor. Find other women/men who have endured similar abuse and gone on to lead fruitful and significant lives. Determine that you will not let someone else’s sin ruin your life. Learn the skills of a survivor. Even if you’ve never been abused, you probably know someone who has - a daughter, friend, or acquaintance. Do whatever you can to help that person and pray that God will restore his/her hope.

Father, forgiveness is so hard sometimes. I want justice, not mercy. Please help me to begin the process of forgiveness by letting go of my desire for revenge. Every time I start wishing something negative on those who’ve hurt me, help me to pray a blessing on their behalf instead. Only you can give me the desire to forgive. Only you can help me do the impossible.