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Becoming Queen Bathsheba
Bathsheba is taken against her will by the most powerful man in Israel. A month later, she discovers she carries the evidence of their secret, dangerous encounter. With her husband at war, this pregnancy could mean her death or untold greatness. When the king finds out that she is with child, he immediately summons her husband home from war, a cunning plan in mind.
Will the king's plan work?
Will her life be spared?
Will there be any consequences for the injustice?
Will love grow in the middle of pain and give birth to second chances?
This novel is a fictional retelling of one of the greatest Bible stories of all time. This is a story of injustice, betrayal, deception, heartbreak, forgiveness, love, redemption and second chances. It reminds us that there are consequences for our choices, and we serve a God of justice. He can use the tragedies in our lives and turn them into purpose.
No pain is ever wasted with God.
Will the king's plan work?
Will her life be spared?
Will there be any consequences for the injustice?
Will love grow in the middle of pain and give birth to second chances?
This novel is a fictional retelling of one of the greatest Bible stories of all time. This is a story of injustice, betrayal, deception, heartbreak, forgiveness, love, redemption and second chances. It reminds us that there are consequences for our choices, and we serve a God of justice. He can use the tragedies in our lives and turn them into purpose.
No pain is ever wasted with God.
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2022
6 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 24, 2022
This novel takes a key story from the Bible, so often discussed and presented from King David's point of view, but told here from the victims point of view. And clearly that is what she is – a victim of a hideous assault on her life, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
We don't know much about the character of Bathsheba from the biblical account, so this book helps us to imagine the person, the feelings and the situations. It is wrapped in the culture of the times, offering great context for all that happened. We can get close to her likely hopes and deep fears, living in a culture that could have led to her death at many points along the story.
The author adds a lot of colour and atmosphere to build the story, highlighting Bathsheba as the innocent victim of a man's abuse of power, even by the standards of the time. And the violation that she suffered led to profound shame and fear.
Through no fault of her own, her life fell apart ...
Read the full review at https://www.robseabrook.com/becoming-...
We don't know much about the character of Bathsheba from the biblical account, so this book helps us to imagine the person, the feelings and the situations. It is wrapped in the culture of the times, offering great context for all that happened. We can get close to her likely hopes and deep fears, living in a culture that could have led to her death at many points along the story.
The author adds a lot of colour and atmosphere to build the story, highlighting Bathsheba as the innocent victim of a man's abuse of power, even by the standards of the time. And the violation that she suffered led to profound shame and fear.
Through no fault of her own, her life fell apart ...
Read the full review at https://www.robseabrook.com/becoming-...
November 3, 2025
We know from the Bible that David took Bathsheba and laid with her. She got pregnant so David had her husband killed. Then he took Bathsheba as his wife. We don’t know what Bathsheba thought about this. Amanda Bedzrah writes the story of Bathsheba from her viewpoint.
I received a new insight about Bathsheba in how she might have felt. I realized that for her she had no say in what was happening to her. She had to trust the Lord to guide her. Bedzrah’s book is one of finding redemption in difficult times.
I received a e-copy from the author. I was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.
I received a new insight about Bathsheba in how she might have felt. I realized that for her she had no say in what was happening to her. She had to trust the Lord to guide her. Bedzrah’s book is one of finding redemption in difficult times.
I received a e-copy from the author. I was not required to write a review. All opinions are my own.
June 14, 2022
Becoming Queen Bathsheba
I’ve always loved the idea of taking Biblical events and creating rich, detailed stories around them. The story of Bathsheba and David is intriguing to me, and I’ve wondered a few times about Bathsheba’s point of view regarding the events that took place between herself, Uriah and King David. The writer tells this story with so much creativity, imaginatively portraying Bathsheba’s heart and perspectives, without betraying the truth of what was recorded in the Bible.
The story was emotionally evocative, very descriptive, and quite moving. At the beginning it felt somewhat tedious to read because there wasn’t a lot of dialogue or action, mostly description or Bathsheba’s thoughts. But as events began to unfold, I began to grow more engrossed in the story- so engrossed that I finished it in a few days.
The book is quite heavy on spiritual matter- the main character has an intimate relationship with God, and communicates with him very frequently throughout the story. Several chunks of the story are simply the character thinking about, talking to or praising God.
I enjoyed seeing the biblical details the writer stuck to, such as David being ‘ruddy’ (1 Sam 16:12).
The story reminds me of some of Francine Rivers’ work. If there was anything at all I could change, it would be for some of the reflection, thoughts, prayers and dreams of the main character in the book to be replaced with some more action and dialogue- even if they had to be made up. All in all, well done!
I’ve always loved the idea of taking Biblical events and creating rich, detailed stories around them. The story of Bathsheba and David is intriguing to me, and I’ve wondered a few times about Bathsheba’s point of view regarding the events that took place between herself, Uriah and King David. The writer tells this story with so much creativity, imaginatively portraying Bathsheba’s heart and perspectives, without betraying the truth of what was recorded in the Bible.
The story was emotionally evocative, very descriptive, and quite moving. At the beginning it felt somewhat tedious to read because there wasn’t a lot of dialogue or action, mostly description or Bathsheba’s thoughts. But as events began to unfold, I began to grow more engrossed in the story- so engrossed that I finished it in a few days.
The book is quite heavy on spiritual matter- the main character has an intimate relationship with God, and communicates with him very frequently throughout the story. Several chunks of the story are simply the character thinking about, talking to or praising God.
I enjoyed seeing the biblical details the writer stuck to, such as David being ‘ruddy’ (1 Sam 16:12).
The story reminds me of some of Francine Rivers’ work. If there was anything at all I could change, it would be for some of the reflection, thoughts, prayers and dreams of the main character in the book to be replaced with some more action and dialogue- even if they had to be made up. All in all, well done!
June 20, 2022
Well done..
Not many capture the story of Bathsheba, calling her assault what it was, rape. This book though shows it, but also talks about repentance. I don’t know that we know, but David was punished severely for his sin, but yet, I cannot imagine being forced to marry your rapist either. It is a perplexing story, but this one was well done.
Not many capture the story of Bathsheba, calling her assault what it was, rape. This book though shows it, but also talks about repentance. I don’t know that we know, but David was punished severely for his sin, but yet, I cannot imagine being forced to marry your rapist either. It is a perplexing story, but this one was well done.
June 13, 2022
‘Becoming Queen Bathsheba’ by Amanda Bedzrah is a powerful narration of Bathsheba confessing her pain, shame and guilt before finally finding peace at a very great price. I thought Amanda Bedzrah bold and courageous to embark on a story already written and filmed by many renowned authors. Yet, this story has a fresh point of view and perspective, following the Biblical account with a difference! The author has shown Bathsheba as a happily married woman until summoned by the most powerful man in Israel, whom if she had disobeyed would have meant her death! This brings out the terrible effects of custom and tradition at the time. It enabled me to feel compassion and empathy for Bathsheba, who also coped with loneliness in marriage.
As a Christian, I enjoyed many Christian principles practised in the story like calling on the Lord in times of trouble. Praising Yahweh in spite of bad times as David did when God had used his child with Bathsheba as atonement for his sins. Being Queen Bathsheba when she was first pregnant illustrates that even in the most trying times, God speaks to us – 'Sleep my child. Be at peace'. When Bathsheba was desperate for a redeemer, ‘old or young’ to take away the ‘shame of her widowhood’, God sent a king! When we wait for God’s own plans in our lives, he exceeds our expectations! The theme of giving God our pain and bitterness is our choice. True repentance brings forgiveness.
It is really well written and the language flows delightfully with a poetic touch. A few beautiful examples: ‘The night air was filled with the melody of love; Relief hauled me up; I could almost feel an eruption of tears rumbling loudly; My shame would be scattered like litter on the streets of Jerusalem.’ The author’s strong voice raises some important themes and questions which are relevant in our world today: can a woman be saved from the lust of a man? Are women more disadvantaged and victimized for committing the same offences men commit? Are mothers teaching their kids the word of God? 'Obey His voice, Bathsheba. Listen to His words.’ Finally, this read shows that people must think of their actions: will it bring God praise or bring our ruin?
This is a refreshing and absorbing read worth its 5 stars. Highly recommended!
As a Christian, I enjoyed many Christian principles practised in the story like calling on the Lord in times of trouble. Praising Yahweh in spite of bad times as David did when God had used his child with Bathsheba as atonement for his sins. Being Queen Bathsheba when she was first pregnant illustrates that even in the most trying times, God speaks to us – 'Sleep my child. Be at peace'. When Bathsheba was desperate for a redeemer, ‘old or young’ to take away the ‘shame of her widowhood’, God sent a king! When we wait for God’s own plans in our lives, he exceeds our expectations! The theme of giving God our pain and bitterness is our choice. True repentance brings forgiveness.
It is really well written and the language flows delightfully with a poetic touch. A few beautiful examples: ‘The night air was filled with the melody of love; Relief hauled me up; I could almost feel an eruption of tears rumbling loudly; My shame would be scattered like litter on the streets of Jerusalem.’ The author’s strong voice raises some important themes and questions which are relevant in our world today: can a woman be saved from the lust of a man? Are women more disadvantaged and victimized for committing the same offences men commit? Are mothers teaching their kids the word of God? 'Obey His voice, Bathsheba. Listen to His words.’ Finally, this read shows that people must think of their actions: will it bring God praise or bring our ruin?
This is a refreshing and absorbing read worth its 5 stars. Highly recommended!
October 13, 2022
Amanda Bedzrah is an ambassador for vulnerable women whose mission is “To point Christians to Jesus so He can Rebuild, Repair, and Revive those who are hurting and broken-hearted.”
Amanda confesses in the back of her book that she had a real burden for Bathsheba and wrestled for many years with the need to tell this story from another point of view. The point of view of the woman herself. As she rightly states, David’s actions in 1 Samuel 11-12 are hard to accept because we know so much about David – he is revered as The Great King, The man after God’s heart, The one from whom Messiah would come. For David to do something as awful as what he did to Bathsheba is totally out of our comfort zones. So, many have tried to explain it away or dumb it down.
Amanda is a very powerful writer who does not ‘mince her words’. She has taken a risk with this novel, and I have to admit, I was nervous about it. I was nervous about how she would portray the story. Good people can do terrible things. And God's judgement on David shows with absolute certainty that David was to blame for what happened. Bathsheba was the innocent party. There was no ambiguity in the pronouncement of Nathan the prophet, who described the taking as akin to the slaughtering of a little lamb, and David’s actions had ramifications for generations to come. They may have been common amongst kings in his time, but that did not mean they were acceptable to God.
Amanda was not afraid to portray David’s sin in stark terms – yet she did this not with malice but with mourning. Though we hate David's actions, we are not left hating David but feeling instead deep sorrow that he fell so far. In addition, we realise the horror of Bathsheba’s experience not through graphic description but through delicate details woven into the text – cuts from a ring, fear of entering Uriah’s chamber, and recognition of the room in which it took place. The text is extremely moving and authentic. It spoke to my soul whilst never feeling like it was too much.
Those things which Amanda stands for – rebuilding, repair and revival through a relationship with God – shine through the story even as Bathsheba must marry the man who abused her and murdered her husband. I’m not sure I’d ever considered before what that must have been like!
We do not know from scripture much about Bathsheba’s personal faith, yet in Amanda’s retelling, Bathsheba clings to her God, relying on him for her needs. She fights with Him when she – understandably – feels unable to do what he asks of her. She is broken to the point of death when her baby dies. Amanda deals honestly with how hard forgiveness is and how delicately fine the line can be between love and hate.
And yet, there is hope, there is revival. The Lord deals steadfastly with her through the pain. For sure, in the end, Bathsheba has great privileges and an important legacy, but it is hard-won through much suffering.
I don’t know if, historically, it happened exactly the way Amanda portrays it. This book is fiction and doesn't make claims to have authority beyond the Bible verses it's based on. Yet, Becoming Queen Bathsheba is believable. I am glad that Amanda wrote this book. It is not an easy read, but it is an important one. Women are abused left, right and centre in this world. And, make no mistake – our God hates it.
Amanda confesses in the back of her book that she had a real burden for Bathsheba and wrestled for many years with the need to tell this story from another point of view. The point of view of the woman herself. As she rightly states, David’s actions in 1 Samuel 11-12 are hard to accept because we know so much about David – he is revered as The Great King, The man after God’s heart, The one from whom Messiah would come. For David to do something as awful as what he did to Bathsheba is totally out of our comfort zones. So, many have tried to explain it away or dumb it down.
Amanda is a very powerful writer who does not ‘mince her words’. She has taken a risk with this novel, and I have to admit, I was nervous about it. I was nervous about how she would portray the story. Good people can do terrible things. And God's judgement on David shows with absolute certainty that David was to blame for what happened. Bathsheba was the innocent party. There was no ambiguity in the pronouncement of Nathan the prophet, who described the taking as akin to the slaughtering of a little lamb, and David’s actions had ramifications for generations to come. They may have been common amongst kings in his time, but that did not mean they were acceptable to God.
Amanda was not afraid to portray David’s sin in stark terms – yet she did this not with malice but with mourning. Though we hate David's actions, we are not left hating David but feeling instead deep sorrow that he fell so far. In addition, we realise the horror of Bathsheba’s experience not through graphic description but through delicate details woven into the text – cuts from a ring, fear of entering Uriah’s chamber, and recognition of the room in which it took place. The text is extremely moving and authentic. It spoke to my soul whilst never feeling like it was too much.
Those things which Amanda stands for – rebuilding, repair and revival through a relationship with God – shine through the story even as Bathsheba must marry the man who abused her and murdered her husband. I’m not sure I’d ever considered before what that must have been like!
We do not know from scripture much about Bathsheba’s personal faith, yet in Amanda’s retelling, Bathsheba clings to her God, relying on him for her needs. She fights with Him when she – understandably – feels unable to do what he asks of her. She is broken to the point of death when her baby dies. Amanda deals honestly with how hard forgiveness is and how delicately fine the line can be between love and hate.
And yet, there is hope, there is revival. The Lord deals steadfastly with her through the pain. For sure, in the end, Bathsheba has great privileges and an important legacy, but it is hard-won through much suffering.
I don’t know if, historically, it happened exactly the way Amanda portrays it. This book is fiction and doesn't make claims to have authority beyond the Bible verses it's based on. Yet, Becoming Queen Bathsheba is believable. I am glad that Amanda wrote this book. It is not an easy read, but it is an important one. Women are abused left, right and centre in this world. And, make no mistake – our God hates it.
August 22, 2022
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Rating: 4.5 stars
Contains: Not so graphic intimate scenes
“Only a powerful God could take such pain and turn it into joy. Only a mighty God can take such hatred and turn it into love. Only this one true God would I continue to serve all my days.”
One of the best things about Biblical Fiction is that the Authors brings Bible Characters to life, without ruining the Word. In my opinion, I can tell a Biblical Fiction is great if it does not changes what the Scripture says, instead, they write a fictional one to those gray areas around that Bible story. And these are not just writing but also a well researched topic on the culture during those times.
Becoming Queen Bathsheba is one of those well written Biblical Fiction. She is mostly “silent” in 2 Samuel and it is mostly focused with King David. In this book, you will “hear” Bathsheba’s thoughts, the things that she does during her marriage with Uriah, some rituals being done during the time of the uncleanliness of a woman, and how David saw her from the Bath house. I loved that during the scene where David took Bathsheba and laid with her (2 Samuel 11:4), the author did not go so much into detail, instead, she described how she felt. The abuse, the rape, that the King made. You would really hate David at that moment.
The reason why I didn’t gave this five stars is because of scenes in some chapters that are I think not really needed in the story. Like the one when Bathsheba became Queen and David asked where she learned those “moves” during their “passionate moments”, and she said, “From the mouths of the temple prostitutes you gifted me as slaves.” I haven’t done my research yet but, if David didn’t want an Egyptian who recently came to know God and wants to serve his new Queen, why is he allowing prostitutes in a temple to serve her? There is also a scene of Bathsheba passing gas. I just don’t get it.
Still, those are just 1 to 2 sentences so the book, Becoming Queen Bathsheba is still a well written story and would recommend it to others.
I was given an Ecopy from the author but the thoughts in this review are all mine.
BLOG: https://bookstruckph.wordpress.com/20...
Rating: 4.5 stars
Contains: Not so graphic intimate scenes
“Only a powerful God could take such pain and turn it into joy. Only a mighty God can take such hatred and turn it into love. Only this one true God would I continue to serve all my days.”
One of the best things about Biblical Fiction is that the Authors brings Bible Characters to life, without ruining the Word. In my opinion, I can tell a Biblical Fiction is great if it does not changes what the Scripture says, instead, they write a fictional one to those gray areas around that Bible story. And these are not just writing but also a well researched topic on the culture during those times.
Becoming Queen Bathsheba is one of those well written Biblical Fiction. She is mostly “silent” in 2 Samuel and it is mostly focused with King David. In this book, you will “hear” Bathsheba’s thoughts, the things that she does during her marriage with Uriah, some rituals being done during the time of the uncleanliness of a woman, and how David saw her from the Bath house. I loved that during the scene where David took Bathsheba and laid with her (2 Samuel 11:4), the author did not go so much into detail, instead, she described how she felt. The abuse, the rape, that the King made. You would really hate David at that moment.
The reason why I didn’t gave this five stars is because of scenes in some chapters that are I think not really needed in the story. Like the one when Bathsheba became Queen and David asked where she learned those “moves” during their “passionate moments”, and she said, “From the mouths of the temple prostitutes you gifted me as slaves.” I haven’t done my research yet but, if David didn’t want an Egyptian who recently came to know God and wants to serve his new Queen, why is he allowing prostitutes in a temple to serve her? There is also a scene of Bathsheba passing gas. I just don’t get it.
Still, those are just 1 to 2 sentences so the book, Becoming Queen Bathsheba is still a well written story and would recommend it to others.
I was given an Ecopy from the author but the thoughts in this review are all mine.
BLOG: https://bookstruckph.wordpress.com/20...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2024
In her work "Becoming Queen Bathsheba," Amanda Bedzrah crafts an extraordinary narrative that grips readers with its emotional intensity and masterful storytelling. Her incredible writing style showcases a distinct clarity and elegance, pulling readers into the multifaceted world of Bathsheba. Despite navigating through significant injustices that are hard to fathom, Bathsheba still emerges as a character with whom readers can easily identify, making her story resonate on many fronts. The trials she endures become palpable, facilitating a personal connection for readers with her journey and culminating in a reading experience that is truly unforgettable!
Interwoven throughout are motifs of faith and resilience, which serve to remind readers that even in turbulent times, a divine plan is at work. Bathsheba’s experiences poignantly illustrate that God acknowledges all suffering, embodying justice and grace. The prose compellingly addresses the consequences of our choices, while also illustrating the potential for forgiveness, love, and redemption. It evokes a sense of hope and renewal, suggesting that the challenges we face can result in transformative experiences and second chances, while further affirming that every instance of suffering holds significance.
Altogether, Amanda Bedzrah's talent as a storyteller is remarkable, and I am immensely grateful for her imaginative retelling of Bathsheba's life. I was honestly so absorbed by this novel, to such an extent that I finished it in one sitting, unable to tear myself away from the pages! It has served as a powerful source of inspiration for me, leading me to consider multiple dimensions of my life, and I strongly endorse this extraordinary work and its author to anyone desiring a life-altering reading experience…I genuinely look forward to revisiting its pages repeatedly to discover new insights each time!
Interwoven throughout are motifs of faith and resilience, which serve to remind readers that even in turbulent times, a divine plan is at work. Bathsheba’s experiences poignantly illustrate that God acknowledges all suffering, embodying justice and grace. The prose compellingly addresses the consequences of our choices, while also illustrating the potential for forgiveness, love, and redemption. It evokes a sense of hope and renewal, suggesting that the challenges we face can result in transformative experiences and second chances, while further affirming that every instance of suffering holds significance.
Altogether, Amanda Bedzrah's talent as a storyteller is remarkable, and I am immensely grateful for her imaginative retelling of Bathsheba's life. I was honestly so absorbed by this novel, to such an extent that I finished it in one sitting, unable to tear myself away from the pages! It has served as a powerful source of inspiration for me, leading me to consider multiple dimensions of my life, and I strongly endorse this extraordinary work and its author to anyone desiring a life-altering reading experience…I genuinely look forward to revisiting its pages repeatedly to discover new insights each time!
December 6, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. Told in a way as though Bathsheba was telling her story around a campfire, it was a tale of sadness, anger, love, and joy. I loved that the author portrayed it that Bathsheba wasn’t the one to cause David to sin, like so many others do. Because in truth the Bible says it was David’s sin. He did take what wasn’t his and raped another man’s wife. Well done and I loved how sin was portrayed as not just affecting the sinner, but those around the sinner as well.
January 8, 2026
loved this book!
Though familiar with much of the story of King David, reading this story imaginings what Bathsheba endured was very thought provoking. I found it so interesting.
Also I love reflecting on how mercifully is Our Lord ever present even when our choices bring consequences that are painful.
Though familiar with much of the story of King David, reading this story imaginings what Bathsheba endured was very thought provoking. I found it so interesting.
Also I love reflecting on how mercifully is Our Lord ever present even when our choices bring consequences that are painful.
July 8, 2022
“Becoming Queen Bathsheba” is an incredibly authentic read. It does a remarkable job depicting the horrors Bathsheba must have experienced with David, the murder of her husband, and the death of her son. Her struggles to forgive resonate with all of us. It is a tale worth reading.
January 15, 2023
I really loved the way this author "fleshed out" the story of David and Bathsheba. Not very much is said in the Bible about their relationship, but this is totally believable and brought understanding to what we know from Scripture.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews