Bathsheba was a mother too

When I read the last few verses of Proverbs 31, particularly verses 25-31, Bathsheba comes to mind. After all, it’s her son that wrote those words. It’s easy to remember Bathsheba by her sin and not by her accomplishments. As humans we tend to remember people by their sinful mistakes, years after they took place.

We remember Bathsheba as the wife of another man who got impregnated and lost her first baby with King David. But just this year, I began to see Bathsheba by her redemption and God’s mercy and grace on her life- despite her sinful past.

When it comes to Bathsheba’s sin, I think we need to realize that that part of her life is much more about David than it is about her. It’s about his lust, and their story is in the Bible for us, to remind us that we are no better than David, and that we too can harbor sinful desires in our own hearts and act on them.

But, I want to focus on the latter part of Bathsheba’s life when David was about to die and there was plotting and scheming of who would be the next King. We forget that she was the mother of the wisest man that ever lived and she’s a key mother figure in the Bible. She was a strategic politician in getting her son on the throne.

This Mother’s Day, as we recognize this important role that God has gifted women to have, and honor mothers around us- there are some key points that we can take away from Bathsheba’s mothering skills and apply them to our own lives. And, my heart goes out to the women that would like to bear a child but can’t.

If you recall, after David married Bathsheba, after their scandal, she became pregnant again. David promised Bathsheba that that son, Solomon, would become the next king after him. Culturally, during this time, as is relevant in most parts of the world; the oldest son becomes king after their father. But in this case Solomon was not David’s oldest son- Adonijah was.  So, when David was old, Adonijah plotted to usurp the throne. Spoiled and rarely disciplined (1 Kings 1:6), Adonijah thought he would succeed his father (1 Kings 1:5), and he even went so far to name himself king.

 A mother who fought for her child:

A mother will fight for the rights of her child. Bathsheba, with the help of the prophet Nathan, strategically worked to get Solomon on the throne. If Adonijah had become the legitimate king there is no doubt that he would have killed Bathsheba and Solomon after David’s death.

Bathsheba reminded David of his promise to her that their son, Solomon would become the next King of Israel (1 Kings 1: 15-40) And even in old age and before his death, David put things in order for Solomon to become the next king.

Take Away: When we know that something is rightfully ours we have to fight for it.

King Mother:

As a mother of the king and because she had a good relationship with her son, Bathsheba was an advisor to Solomon. And she was the first woman in Israel to hold this position.

Adonijah enters the text again in 1 Kings 2, asking Bathsheba the King Mother to speak to Solomon on his behalf, to ask him to allow himself [Adonijah] to marry Abishag, David’s last wife. It seems like a harmless request, right? Abishag was a young woman bought in to care for David in his old age. He never slept with her, but she cared for him, so she was still young to marry Adonijah. But, by Adonijah marrying his father’s widow, it was a way of him making a claim to the throne. He was scheming and Solomon and Bathsheba could smell it. So, with all that happened before with Adonijah, Solomon could with peace of mind have his half brother killed.

Take Away: When our mother’s or those that have our best interest at heart, warn us about someone, we should listen to their wisdom. God will often send people to put words of wisdom into our ears to protect us from the scheming Adonijah’s of this world.

This is where Bathsheba’s story in the Bible ends, but she saw to it that Solomon was firmly established. She would also remain his loving advisor and watchmen.

Our mothers are our advisors, fighters and watchmen. Let us give thanks to God for our mama bears who raised us with love and discipline, and who seek to protect us. Their roles and our relationship to them mirror God the Father’s love for us. He is our Papa Bear- advising, fighting, and watching over us like the fearless love of a mother.

Happy Mother’s Day to the all the world’s mamas who take on and embrace the role as best they can! xx

Photo Courtesy of womeninthebible.net