Genealogy of Jesus: The Wife of Uriah

Bathsheba was beautiful

In the genealogy of Jesus, mentioned in Matthew 1, we are told “David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife.”

We know from the Biblical account found in 2 Samuel 11, that the wife of Uriah was named Bathsheba.  The story of how she and David came to be the parents of Solomon is told in the previous chapter mentioned.

In short, David sees Bathsheba bathing on the roof.  He calls for her and she answers his summons.  When she discovers a child is on the way, David attempts to cover up their sin.  He sends for Uriah, but the man will not go to his wife.  He decides to stay with the master’s servants.  David then ask that he be put at the front of the line in battle, where he loses his life.  A son is born to David and Bathsheba, but

David was immediately drawn to Bathsheba

their son dies shortly thereafter.  Solomon is later born to them.  He inherits David’s throne and becomes the wisest of men.

What lessons can we learn from Bathsheba?

1. We can’t deceive ourselves—Bathsheba knew when David summoned her what she wanted. We don’t know what her internal dialogue might have been like, but in the end she went to him.  She knew what they were doing was wrong.  There was no deceiving themselves that they were not sinning and doing wrong.  After all, she was a married woman.  She had committed her life and body to Uriah.
2. We cannot cover our sins—we’re not really told how Bathsheba reacted to the news of her predicament. However, we know that David did everything possible to cover up their actions.  So much so that he had Uriah killed.
3. Our plans don’t always work—“The best laid schemes of mice and men,” is how John Steinbeck began his book Of Mice and Men. David
   

   David and Bathsheba were blessed with at least two sons. One died because of their sin and the other one became King Solomon.

   schemed to have Uriah sleep with his wife.  Yet, no matter how much King David tried Uriah would not do what the king wanted him to do. Even when David got Uriah drunk, the man still refused to go home to his wife.

4. There are consequences for our actions—for David and Bathsheba that consequence was a child.
5. Sometimes our actions displease the Lord—God made it clear to David that he was displeased with his actions. Chapter 12 tells how the prophet Nathan rebukes David for his actions.  Nathan tells David that not only is the Lord displeased but he will bring calamity to David’s household.  Fast forwarding through the story of David, his family is ripped apart and he sees the death of many of his sons.  These were the consequences of his son. However, it all began with the son birthed to David and Bathsheba in that moment of sin.  David pleaded with the child, but he still died.

How do you deceive yourself?