Bathsheba

We’ve all heard the story of Bathsheba, often painted as the seductress who led King David astray. But let’s be real, that narrative is steeped in patriarchy and violence against women. It’s time we strip away those layers and see Bathsheba for who she truly was: a woman of incredible strength and resilience, navigating a world designed to vilify her.

Bathsheba’s story begins during the height of King David’s reign, a time when women had little agency and were often seen as property. One evening, David saw her bathing from the rooftop of his palace. Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, had no say when David sent for her. He was the king, and his word was law. This wasn’t a romantic encounter; it was a clear abuse of power.

Peeping Tom of Ancient Israel

David’s actions led to Bathsheba becoming pregnant. In a desperate attempt to cover up his sin, David recalled Uriah from battle, hoping he would sleep with his wife and believe the child was his. When Uriah’s loyalty to his comrades kept him from going home, David orchestrated his death by placing him on the front lines of battle. Bathsheba lost her husband and was taken into David’s household, her life irreversibly altered by David’s selfish actions.

Despite this violent beginning, Bathsheba didn’t let her story end there. She rose above it. As the mother of Solomon, she played a crucial role in his ascent to the throne. After losing her first child with David, she bore Solomon, who would go on to become one of Israel’s greatest kings. Bathsheba navigated the treacherous waters of palace politics, ensuring her son’s future and, by extension, her own legacy.

Bathsheba wasn’t just a passive figure in Solomon’s life. She was his advisor and confidant, a source of wisdom and strength. Her influence on Solomon highlights her intelligence and political savvy, traits that deserve recognition and respect. She ensured Solomon’s succession over Adonijah, David’s other son, by presenting her case to the aging king and leveraging her position to secure Solomon's kingship.

The moment it all started

Bathsheba’s story is even more profound when we connect her to Bilquis, the Queen of Sheba, often referred to as Bilquis or Makeda, is another powerful figure whose story intersects with that of Solomon, but she is entirely separate from Bathsheba.

Known for her wisdom and her historic encounter with Solomon, Bilquis is a powerful symbol of female leadership and intellect. The Queen of Sheba’s visit to Solomon’s court is one of the earliest recorded encounters between two major civilizations, symbolizing a meeting of minds and the exchange of wisdom and wealth.

Bilquis, also known as Makeda in Ethiopian tradition, ruled a wealthy and prosperous kingdom. And I won’t go into much depth about her because, frankly, she deserves her own article.

Baby Solomon

Bathsheba’s story is a powerful reminder of the violence we face and the strength we possess. She challenges the patriarchal narratives that seek to define and limit us.

Bathsheba’s legacy is one of survival, transformation, and empowerment. By reclaiming her story, we honor her strength and intelligence. Her narrative is a testament to the power of women’s voices and the importance of telling our own stories. Bathsheba’s story offers hope and inspiration. She rose above the violence and patriarchy of her time, and so can we. Her legacy lives on in every act of defiance, every reclaiming of our power, and every step toward a more just world.