The woman King David slept with in the Bible was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. This act constituted adultery and set in motion a series of significant events with profound consequences.
The Story of David and Bathsheba
The biblical account of King David and Bathsheba is one of the most well-known and pivotal narratives in the Old Testament, detailed primarily in 2 Samuel Chapter 11. It illustrates a significant moral failing on the part of King David, who was otherwise renowned as a righteous king.
The Unfolding Events
The sequence of events surrounding David's encounter with Bathsheba is crucial to understanding the full scope of their story:
- Initial Encounter: While walking on his palace roof, David saw Bathsheba bathing. She was an exceptionally beautiful woman.
- The Adultery: David inquired about her and, learning she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, a loyal soldier in his army, sent for her and slept with her.
- Concealment Attempt: Bathsheba became pregnant. To cover up his sin, David summoned Uriah from the battlefield, hoping Uriah would go home to his wife, making it appear the child was his.
- Uriah's Loyalty: Uriah, however, demonstrated unwavering loyalty, refusing to go home and enjoy comforts while his fellow soldiers and the ark of God were in battle. He slept at the palace entrance with the king's servants.
- Orchestrated Death: Frustrated by Uriah's integrity, David sent him back to the battlefront with a letter to his commander, Joab, instructing that Uriah be placed in the fiercest part of the battle and then abandoned, ensuring his death. Uriah was subsequently killed in battle.
- Marriage to David: After Bathsheba mourned her husband, David brought her to his house and she became his wife. She then bore him a son.
Consequences and Divine Judgment
Despite David's attempts to conceal his sin, his actions were displeasing to God. The prophet Nathan confronted David with a parable, leading David to confess his wrongdoing. As a consequence, the child born from their union became ill and died. Later, David and Bathsheba had another son, Solomon, who would eventually succeed David as king of Israel.
The story of David and Bathsheba is a powerful narrative concerning sin, repentance, and divine justice. It highlights that even the most revered figures are subject to moral failures and that actions have consequences.
Key Figures Involved
| Figure | Role | Significance in the Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| King David | King of Israel | Initiated the affair, orchestrated Uriah's death |
| Bathsheba | Wife of Uriah, later wife of David | The woman David slept with, became pregnant |
| Uriah the Hittite | Bathsheba's loyal husband, David's soldier | Unwitting victim, killed to cover David's sin |
| Nathan | Prophet | Delivered God's judgment to David and exposed his sin |
The narrative serves as a reminder of the far-reaching impact of personal choices and the importance of accountability, even for those in positions of power. For further reading, consult the biblical text of 2 Samuel 11-12.
