Reference: Bathsheba
Hastings
Wife of Uriah the Hittite, seduced by David (2Sa 11:2-4), and afterwards married to him (2Sa 11:27). The child died (2Sa 12:18), but another son, Solomon, was subsequently born (2Sa 12:24). Bathsheba, instigated and supported by Nathan, successfully combated Adonijah's attempt to secure the throne (1Ki 1:11-53). Acting as Adonijah's intercessor in the matter of Abishag, she was most respectfully received by Solomon, but her unwise request was refused (1Ki 2:13-25).
J. Taylor.
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Late one afternoon, David got up from his nap and went to the palace roof. He walked around on the roof. He saw a woman taking a bath. She was very beautiful. He sent a messenger to find out who she was. He learned that she was Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. read more. So David sent messengers to get her. She came to him and they had sexual intercourse. She had just cleansed herself after her monthly period. Then she went home.
When her mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to his home. She became his wife. Then she gave birth to a son. However, Jehovah considered David's actions evil.
On the seventh day the child died. David's servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. They thought: While the child was alive, we talked to him, and he would not listen to us. How can we tell him the child is dead? He may harm himself.
David comforted his wife Bathsheba. He went to bed with her, and she later gave birth to a son. David named him Solomon. Jehovah loved the child.
Then Nathan asked Solomon's mother Bathsheba: Have you heard that Adonijah, Haggith's son, has become king, and our master David does not even know about it? Bathsheba, let me give you some advice about how to save your life and your son's life. read more. Go now to King David and ask him: 'Your Majesty, did you solemnly promise me that my son Solomon would succeed you as king? How is it that Adonijah has become king?' Nathan added: While you are still talking with King David, I will come in and confirm your story. So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. He was very old, and Abishag, the young woman from Shunem, was taking care of him. Bathsheba bowed low before the king. He asked: What do you want? She answered: Your Majesty, you made me a solemn promise in the name of Jehovah your God that my son Solomon would be king after you. Adonijah has already become king. You do not know anything about it. He has offered a sacrifice of many bulls, sheep, and fattened calves. He invited your sons, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the commander of your army to the feast. However he did not invite your son Solomon. Your Majesty. The people of Israel want you to tell them who is to succeed you as king. If you do not my son Solomon and I will be treated as traitors when you die. Nathan arrived at the palace while she spoke. The king was told that the prophet was there. Nathan went in and bowed low before the king. Nathan said: Your Majesty. Did you announce that Adonijah would succeed you as king? This very day he has gone and offered a sacrifice of many bulls, sheep, and fattened calves. He invited all your sons, Joab the commander of your army, and Abiathar the priest, and right now they are feasting with him and shouting: 'Long live King Adonijah!' But he did not invite Zadok the priest or Benaiah or Solomon or me. Did Your Majesty approve all this and not even tell your officials who is to succeed you as king? King David said: Ask Bathsheba to come back in. She came and stood before him. Then he said to her: I promise you by the living God Jehovah (YHWH), who has rescued me from all my troubles, that today I will keep the promise I made to you in the name of Jehovah the God of Israel, that your son Solomon would succeed me as king. Bathsheba bowed low and said: May my lord the king live a very long time! Then King David sent for Zadok, Nathan, and Benaiah. When they came in, he said to them: Take my court officials with you; have my son Solomon ride my own mule, and escort him to Gihon Spring, Zadok and Nathan are to anoint him as king of Israel. Then blow the trumpet and shout: Long live King Solomon! Follow him back here when he comes to sit on my throne. He will succeed me as king. He is the one I have chosen to be the ruler over Israel and Judah. It will be done, answered Benaiah, and may Jehovah your God confirm it! Jehovah has been with Your Majesty. May he also be with Solomon and make his reign even more prosperous than yours. So Zadok, Nathan, Benaiah, and the royal bodyguards put Solomon on King David's mule and escorted him to Gihon Spring. Zadok took the container of olive oil that he had brought from the Tent of Jehovah's presence, and anointed Solomon. They blew the trumpet, and all the people shouted: Long live King Solomon! All the people followed him. They blew flutes and celebrated so loudly that their voices shook the ground. Adonijah and all his guests heard this while they were eating. When Joab heard the sound of the horn, he asked: Why all this noise in the city? He was still speaking when Jonathan, son of the priest Abiathar, arrived. Come in, Adonijah said: You are an honorable man. You must be bringing good news. Not at all, Jonathan answered Adonijah. His Majesty King David has made Solomon king! The king sent the priest Zadok, the prophet Nathan, Benaiah son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites with him. They placed him on the king's mule. The priest Zadok and the prophet Nathan anointed him king at Gihon. They came from there celebrating. The city is excited. That is the sound you heard. Solomon is seated on the royal throne. Even the royal officials have come to congratulate His Majesty King David, saying: May your God make Solomon's name more famous than yours and his reign greater than your reign. The king himself bowed down on his bed and prayed: 'Let us praise Jehovah the God of Israel. Today he made one of my descendants succeed me as king.' He let me live to see it! Adonijah's guests were afraid. So they all left. Adonijah, in great fear of Solomon, went to the Tent of Jehovah's presence and grabbed hold of the corners of the altar. King Solomon was told that Adonijah was afraid of him and that he was holding on to the corners of the altar. He heard that he said: First, I want King Solomon to swear to me that he will not have me put to death. Solomon replied: If he is loyal, not even a hair on his head will be touched. If he is not, he will die. King Solomon then sent for Adonijah and had him brought down from the altar. Adonijah went to the king and bowed low before him. The king said to him: You may go home.
Adonijah, son of Haggith, went to Bathsheba, Solomon's mother. Is this a friendly visit? She asked. Yes, he answered. I have something to discuss with you. He said. What is it? She asked. read more. He said: You know the kingship was mine. All Israel expected me to be their king. But the kingship has been turned over to my brother because Jehovah gave it to him. I have one request to make to you. Do not say no to me. She responded: Tell me. He said: Will you go to Solomon the king for he will not say 'No' to you. And make my request that he give me Abishag the Shunammite for a wife? Bathsheba said: Indeed, I will make your request to the king. So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to talk to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to meet her and bowed down to her. He took his place on the king's throne and she sat at his right hand on the seat made ready for the king's mother. Then she said: I have one small request to make of you. Do not say 'No' to me. The king replied: Speak mother for I will not say no to you. She said: Let Abishag the Shunammite be given to Adonijah your brother for a wife. Then King Solomon answered: Why are you requesting me to give Abishag the Shunammite to Adonijah? Take the kingdom for him in addition, for he is my older brother, and Abiathar the priest and Joab, the son of Zeruiah, are on his side. King Solomon took an oath by Jehovah, saying: May God's punishment be on me if Adonijah does not give payment for these words with his life. Now by the living God Jehovah who has given me my throne from David my father. He made me one of a line of kings. He gave me his word. Adonijah will be put to death this day. King Solomon sent Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada to attack and kill him.