Lecture on David, Bathsheba, and Uriah Incident

Introduction

• Speaker: Cynthia Schaefer Elliott
• Topic: Reinterpretation of the David, Bathsheba, and Uriah story
• Common misconception: David's adultery with Bathsheba

Setting and Background

• Text: 2 Samuel 11
• Context: Israel at war, David remains in Jerusalem
• Jerusalem's geography: City on a bluff surrounded by valleys

David's Position and Power

• David’s authority allowed him to remain in Jerusalem
• Importance of Jerusalem: The city of David, ongoing archaeological excavations
• David’s palace located on the high part of the bluff

Bathsheba's Perspective

• Bathsheba’s bathing: Likely in privacy, not publicly exposed
• Misinterpretation: Bathsheba is not deliberately displaying herself
• Identity: Daughter of Eliam, wife of Uriah the Hittite
• Family’s significance: Known within David’s circle

David’s Actions

• David sees Bathsheba from his vantage point and summons her
• Abuse of power: Lack of choice for Bathsheba
• Bathsheba’s devout nature: Purifying herself after her period

Aftermath of the Incident

• Bathsheba's only voice: Reporting her pregnancy to David
• David’s manipulative plans:
  • Summoning Uriah from the battlefield
  • Attempts to cover up the pregnancy
  • Uriah’s loyalty: Refusal to go home
  • David’s eventual plan: Ensuring Uriah’s death in battle
• Uriah delivers his own death warrant unknowingly

Consequences for David

• David’s moral failures: Rape of Bathsheba, murder of Uriah
• Nathan the prophet’s condemnation: Consequences for David
• Death of Bathsheba’s child

Comparison with 2 Samuel 13

• Parallel story: David’s daughter Tamar
• Characters: Amnon (crown prince), Tamar (half-sister), Absalom (full brother)
• Amnon’s actions:
  • Feigns illness to be alone with Tamar
  • Rapes Tamar despite her protests
• Tamar’s voice: Unlike Bathsheba, she protests
• David’s inaction: Fails to support Tamar
• Absalom’s revenge: Kills Amnon, conflict with David

Broader Implications

• David’s flawed character: Impact on his family and kingdom
• Deuteronomistic history: Obedience leads to blessings, disobedience leads to consequences
• Sword will never depart from David’s house: Ongoing conflict
• Absalom's rebellion: Publicly challenges David’s authority by infiltrating his harem

Conclusion

• Reevaluation of David’s integrity and the cultural context
• Importance of understanding historical and archaeological insights
• Complexity of biblical narratives and their characters