Bathsheba the wife

The death of the child was also a great shock to Bathsheba. She was overwhelmed with deep fear and sorrow, realizing that the child had died because of her sin and that the Lord’s anger was heavily severe. In such a time, it was David who comforted her. (1) For the first time, the phrase “his wife Bathsheba” is used. Here, she is recognized as David’s legitimate wife. David comforted her and loved her within the bounds of a proper marital relationship. (2) In time, a second child was given to them. This child was called “Solomon,” which means “peaceful” or “one who loves peace.” This name symbolizes the restoration of a peaceful relationship between God and man, as well as the fact that Solomon’s reign would be a time of peace. (3) The Lord loved the child. The Lord sent again the prophet Nathan, who declared the Lord’s judgment, but this time, to speak words of blessing. The child was named “Jedidiah (the one loved by the Lord)”. (4) Solomon’s peaceful reign is a foreshadowing of the “peace” that is brought through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, by shedding His own blood, brought about reconciliation and peace between God and man. The global peace brought by Christ will one day be fulfilled on this earth. Let us give thanks today, for we have been brought into peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Lessons to us

(1) For an ordinary king of a nation, an incident like the one with Bathsheba might not have been considered a problem. However, David was a king under a theocratic government, and therefore he could not escape responsibility for his sin. (2) Sin cannot be hidden forever. Everything is laid bare before the eyes of God. (3) Sin can be forgiven, but its consequences may remain throughout earthly life. David experienced this firsthand. (4) What led David to commit sin was that his immediate problems had been resolved, and he found himself with considerable “leisure” and “free time.” Times of ease are dangerous for anyone. It is precisely during such times that we should give thanks for the Lord’s grace and seek the next vision from Him.