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The Wives of King David #3
Bathsheba
Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her devout husband away fighting the king's wars for many months at a time, discontent and loneliness dog her steps--and make it frighteningly easy to succumb to King David's charm and attention. Though she immediately regrets her involvement with the powerful king, the pieces are set in motion that will destroy everything she holds dear. Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God--and David--forever?
With a historian's sharp eye for detail and a novelist's creative spirit, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the passionate and emotional story of David's most famous--and infamous--wife. Smith uses her gentle hand to draw out the humanity in her characters, allowing readers to see themselves in the three-dimensional lives and minds of people who are often viewed in starkly moralistic terms. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba in the same way again.
With a historian's sharp eye for detail and a novelist's creative spirit, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the passionate and emotional story of David's most famous--and infamous--wife. Smith uses her gentle hand to draw out the humanity in her characters, allowing readers to see themselves in the three-dimensional lives and minds of people who are often viewed in starkly moralistic terms. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba in the same way again.
347 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
178 people are currently reading
2571 people want to read
About the author
Jill Eileen Smith
28 books1,470 followersJill Eileen Smith is the bestselling, award-winning author of the Wives of King David series, the Wives of the Patriarchs, Daughters of the Promised Land, Heart of a King, Star of Persia, Miriam's Song, The Prince and the Prodigal, Daughter of Eden, and The Ark and the Dove. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Bible times.
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable cats Kody and Kaelee. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Contact Jill through email (jill@jilleileensmith.com), her website (http://www.jilleileensmith.com), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith), or Twitter (https://twitter.com/JillEileenSmith).
When she isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read stories that take her away, ride her bike to the park, snag date nights with her hubby, try out new restaurants, or play with her lovable cats Kody and Kaelee. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.
Contact Jill through email (jill@jilleileensmith.com), her website (http://www.jilleileensmith.com), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jilleileensmith), or Twitter (https://twitter.com/JillEileenSmith).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
April 29, 2017
3.5 stars
Not a bad Biblical historical/romance. I approached it with trepidation wondering how Smith would be able to breathe life into the rather scandalous story of David and Bathsheba. Somehow Smith made me get swept away in their story and sad when I finished it.
UPDATE
Having finally read Michal and Abigail, the first two books in the series. Bathsheba is hands down my favorite of the three featured wives in the trilogy.
Not a bad Biblical historical/romance. I approached it with trepidation wondering how Smith would be able to breathe life into the rather scandalous story of David and Bathsheba. Somehow Smith made me get swept away in their story and sad when I finished it.
UPDATE
Having finally read Michal and Abigail, the first two books in the series. Bathsheba is hands down my favorite of the three featured wives in the trilogy.
March 19, 2011
In my opinion Biblical Fiction has to be one of the hardest genres to write in because you are taking something that is fact but there is not a lot of info on and fictionalizing it to bring it to life. So not only are you researching the ways and habits of the time period but you are researching the people as well. Jill Eileen Smith is a master of this. Her Wives of King David series is fantastic and this last book, Bathsheba, is a catch-22 for me. I wanted to see what she did with this difficult story, but I also didn't want to see the series end. I have just turned the last pages and ended it and now sadly put it down. Jill did not disappoint me at all, she handled a hard story of sin, forgiveness, grace and consequences with incredible insight and diplomacy. She continues to bring David to life as a man with flaws and sin, but with a heart that truly desires to follow God. And though this book focuses on Bathsheba, the journey of his wives is a truly fascinating thing. I plan on making this series required reading for my children as they hit high school because there is value in bringing Biblical characters to life... flaws and forgiveness.
April 10, 2024
As with all of the other books I've read by this author, I really enjoyed this one! Her writing is so descriptive and the characters so well developed, you feel like you're right in the middle of the story, experiencing it with the characters. I've enjoyed this entire series. There's a great balance between each story being about the wife of David featured in that book, and David himself. This series really outlines Davids life according to the Bible, and gives an incredible amount of cultural detail to really take readers back to that time period. I also enjoyed her interpretations and imaginations on how everything could have transpired between Bathsheba and David, both of their motives, and their lives after the initial affair and Uriahs death. I personally could have done without the passion between David and Bathsheba, but I think passion and heat within marriage (in this case before marriage), is something I've come to expect from this author. So I wouldn't recommend for young readers. But definitely a great biblical fiction series, and I will go on to hopefully read everything else this author has written.
January 27, 2013
I found this novel to be rather dull and monotonous. There was virtually no character development, which was a disappointment as it left David and Bathsheba as two-dimensional characters in a book rather than as historical figures brought to life.
However the biggest issue I had with this novel was that it was written as if David and Bathsheba were aware that they were biblical figures living in Old Testament times. This quote from historian David McCullough gives a great perspective about historical figures:
"One might also say that history is not about the past. If you think about it, no one ever lived in the past. Washington, Jefferson, John Adams, and their contemporaries didn't walk about saying, "Isn't this fascinating living in the past! Aren't we picturesque in our funny clothes!" They lived in the present. The difference is it was their present, not ours."
Although this novel was set in the much more distant past, I still feel as though this quote applies. I do not feel that it was very realistic that David and Bathsheba lived their daily life in such a religious context. David was a ruler of a kingdom during turbulant times and he was a warrior, not a priest. The focus of this novel seemed to be from a religious perspective rather than a historical. I would have preferred more of the latter.
However the biggest issue I had with this novel was that it was written as if David and Bathsheba were aware that they were biblical figures living in Old Testament times. This quote from historian David McCullough gives a great perspective about historical figures:
"One might also say that history is not about the past. If you think about it, no one ever lived in the past. Washington, Jefferson, John Adams, and their contemporaries didn't walk about saying, "Isn't this fascinating living in the past! Aren't we picturesque in our funny clothes!" They lived in the present. The difference is it was their present, not ours."
Although this novel was set in the much more distant past, I still feel as though this quote applies. I do not feel that it was very realistic that David and Bathsheba lived their daily life in such a religious context. David was a ruler of a kingdom during turbulant times and he was a warrior, not a priest. The focus of this novel seemed to be from a religious perspective rather than a historical. I would have preferred more of the latter.
February 3, 2012
One would not necessarily think that the story of David and Bathsheba would be an inspiring one, filled as it is with temptation and sin and murder. However, Jill Eileen Smith has breathed new life into a story recounted through the ages.
Bathsheba is a story rich in contrasts, from loneliness to love, from passion to grief, from the depths of despair to the healing hand of God. Smith has opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of David and Bathsheba's story. These Bible characters have been cloaked in all-too-human frailty, and it was difficult indeed to watch their downfall as displayed through the power of the author's pen. Yet what I truly admire about this book is that it is not one that wallows in the depths of our human condition, but instead rises through the power of God's grace as He forgives sin that should have been punishable by death. Adultery is a sin that, at the time, was to be punished by stoning. Yet although God does punish them through the loss of their son, he also restores what was lost and offers his tender mercy. In the past when contemplataing this Bible story, I had only ever considered how the loss of their first son was such a horrible punishment for their sin; however, I'd never considered that on the other hand there was an element of mercy, for a King's son born out of adultery would have been subject to the vilest of bullying and torment and would have never had a chance to fulfill God's purpose for his life. This book doesn't provide easy answers, but instead allows you to wrestle with the issues of their sin and the consequences. Although the story may be familiar to you, the book is entirely engaging and will keep you turning the pages.
Prepare to be entertained, moved, and inspired by a fabulous story that will stay with you long after the last page. I highly recommend this book and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group
Check out other reviews and alerts about free ebooks at Christian Fiction Addiction
Bathsheba is a story rich in contrasts, from loneliness to love, from passion to grief, from the depths of despair to the healing hand of God. Smith has opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of David and Bathsheba's story. These Bible characters have been cloaked in all-too-human frailty, and it was difficult indeed to watch their downfall as displayed through the power of the author's pen. Yet what I truly admire about this book is that it is not one that wallows in the depths of our human condition, but instead rises through the power of God's grace as He forgives sin that should have been punishable by death. Adultery is a sin that, at the time, was to be punished by stoning. Yet although God does punish them through the loss of their son, he also restores what was lost and offers his tender mercy. In the past when contemplataing this Bible story, I had only ever considered how the loss of their first son was such a horrible punishment for their sin; however, I'd never considered that on the other hand there was an element of mercy, for a King's son born out of adultery would have been subject to the vilest of bullying and torment and would have never had a chance to fulfill God's purpose for his life. This book doesn't provide easy answers, but instead allows you to wrestle with the issues of their sin and the consequences. Although the story may be familiar to you, the book is entirely engaging and will keep you turning the pages.
Prepare to be entertained, moved, and inspired by a fabulous story that will stay with you long after the last page. I highly recommend this book and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group
Check out other reviews and alerts about free ebooks at Christian Fiction Addiction
March 21, 2011
Jill has skillfully crafted together a compelling and heart-wrenching book on the well-known story of David and Bathsheba. Never erring from the truth of the Scriptures, this book explores the thoughts and feelings of what David and Bathsheba might have been experiencing before, during, and after they fell into sin. The last in the Wives of King David series, this is a powerful and thought-provoking book!
The characters in Bathsheba were well developed and extremely well written. I really connected with Bathsheba, David, and even Uriah. Digging down deep, Jill brings the depth of these character’s feelings to life, vividly describing Bathsheba’s longing, then her betrayal to her husband by giving herself to another, and then the consuming guilt over her sin. David’s reactions were also extremely well written and sobering as he attempted to cover the matter up. I could literally feel and understand his frustration and desperation as every attempt to send Uriah home fell through. The undercurrent of emotions throughout this book is vivid and powerful.
Because of the story – David and Bathsheba’s adultery – one can guess that it does contain some adult content. But honestly, I thought it was incredibly clean for the events that took place. When David watched Bathsheba bath from his balcony, nothing explicit was described except that he was filled with desire to have her. When David seduced Bathsheba, it was very minimal. The actual act of sin took place “off scene”.
Jill’s focus on writing this book was mainly on David and Bathsheba’s thoughts and feelings – something the bible does not give us. While we can never know what the two of them where thinking before or after the act of adultery, I think Jill’s adaptation of the event is the most believable and accurate I have ever read. It was so well written that I could feel Bathsheba’s remorse and David’s desperation. The scene when Nathan confronts him with his act of adultery was powerful. It reminded me of Numbers 32:23, “…be sure your sin will find you out.”
Bathsheba has earned a permanent place on my favorite’s bookshelf! I was pulled into this story from the very first scene, unable to put it down. As I read, an old saying from my mother continually came to mind – “Sin always feels good for a little while.” David and Bathsheba’s story is a prime example. Before and during, they thought of nothing but their desires and longings. But almost instantly after the act was committed, feelings of guilt began to fill their hearts and consume them. And because of that one night, the “sword” never departed from David’s house. It’s sobering to see how the rest of his life was affected because he disobeyed God’s commandment to not commit adultery. In all, Bathsheba is one of the best books I’ve read this year!
The characters in Bathsheba were well developed and extremely well written. I really connected with Bathsheba, David, and even Uriah. Digging down deep, Jill brings the depth of these character’s feelings to life, vividly describing Bathsheba’s longing, then her betrayal to her husband by giving herself to another, and then the consuming guilt over her sin. David’s reactions were also extremely well written and sobering as he attempted to cover the matter up. I could literally feel and understand his frustration and desperation as every attempt to send Uriah home fell through. The undercurrent of emotions throughout this book is vivid and powerful.
Because of the story – David and Bathsheba’s adultery – one can guess that it does contain some adult content. But honestly, I thought it was incredibly clean for the events that took place. When David watched Bathsheba bath from his balcony, nothing explicit was described except that he was filled with desire to have her. When David seduced Bathsheba, it was very minimal. The actual act of sin took place “off scene”.
Jill’s focus on writing this book was mainly on David and Bathsheba’s thoughts and feelings – something the bible does not give us. While we can never know what the two of them where thinking before or after the act of adultery, I think Jill’s adaptation of the event is the most believable and accurate I have ever read. It was so well written that I could feel Bathsheba’s remorse and David’s desperation. The scene when Nathan confronts him with his act of adultery was powerful. It reminded me of Numbers 32:23, “…be sure your sin will find you out.”
Bathsheba has earned a permanent place on my favorite’s bookshelf! I was pulled into this story from the very first scene, unable to put it down. As I read, an old saying from my mother continually came to mind – “Sin always feels good for a little while.” David and Bathsheba’s story is a prime example. Before and during, they thought of nothing but their desires and longings. But almost instantly after the act was committed, feelings of guilt began to fill their hearts and consume them. And because of that one night, the “sword” never departed from David’s house. It’s sobering to see how the rest of his life was affected because he disobeyed God’s commandment to not commit adultery. In all, Bathsheba is one of the best books I’ve read this year!
May 28, 2011
Title: BATHSHEBA
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Publisher: Revell
March 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3322-3
Genre: Inspirational/biblical fiction
Bathsheba is lonely. Her husband, Uriah, is away most of the year fighting the king’s wars, and Bathsheba has no child to keep her busy. With her loneliness increasing, it makes it all too easy to succumb to King David’s advances. But one night of passion will destroy everything she holds dear…
BATHSHEBA is the third book in Ms. Smith’s series The Wives of King David. I—as most of those of us raised in church—am familiar with the story of BATHSHEBA… which makes it kind of hard for me to write the summary part of the review. Thus the one paragraph above. I didn’t want to give anything away for those who aren’t familiar with the Bible story.
Ms. Smith has done her research, and she brought Bathsheba, her maid, the King, and Uriah to life, giving us feelings, thoughts, ideas, and dreams that one didn’t consider from one half-hour Bible story taught to children.
If you like biblical fiction, aren’t familiar with the Bible story, or are looking for a new outlook on this familiar story, then pick up a copy of BATHSHEBA. A note from the author is included at the end of the book. $14.99. 346 pages.
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Publisher: Revell
March 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3322-3
Genre: Inspirational/biblical fiction
Bathsheba is lonely. Her husband, Uriah, is away most of the year fighting the king’s wars, and Bathsheba has no child to keep her busy. With her loneliness increasing, it makes it all too easy to succumb to King David’s advances. But one night of passion will destroy everything she holds dear…
BATHSHEBA is the third book in Ms. Smith’s series The Wives of King David. I—as most of those of us raised in church—am familiar with the story of BATHSHEBA… which makes it kind of hard for me to write the summary part of the review. Thus the one paragraph above. I didn’t want to give anything away for those who aren’t familiar with the Bible story.
Ms. Smith has done her research, and she brought Bathsheba, her maid, the King, and Uriah to life, giving us feelings, thoughts, ideas, and dreams that one didn’t consider from one half-hour Bible story taught to children.
If you like biblical fiction, aren’t familiar with the Bible story, or are looking for a new outlook on this familiar story, then pick up a copy of BATHSHEBA. A note from the author is included at the end of the book. $14.99. 346 pages.
September 28, 2020
Jill Eileen Smith always does an amazing job of retelling a fictional story based on the Bible. With a wonderful Biblical foundation, Smith brings the life and times of Bathsheba and King David to life. Both of them flawed characters, God still shows that He can use repentant people to build His Kingdom on earth. God did find ways to punish both David and Bathsheba for their sin yet still use them to continue His plan.
May 28, 2017
Blah. Unengaging prose, undeveloped characters, and poor delivery of action and crisis. This could have been so much better. Why do I buy books on sale with good ratings on Amazon? I know better!
April 25, 2020
I really enjoyed this book!! The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because it was a little slower and the writing was a little plainer and not as complex. However the story was amazing, and it’s followed the Bible telling very well too!! It just made the Bible into a very realistic point of view. I loved how the characters overcame the struggles they faced and I’m glad I have a better insight on David’s life and how God took control.
March 9, 2011
Bathesheba, the third book in the Wives of King David series, is a compelling end to a great trilogy. It's not an easy task to take something that happened in the Bible that is complex but true in all of its shameful detail, like the story of David and Bathsheba, and then make it believable so that the reader can see how it may have happened.
I have to admire the author for writing this book and making it compelling. I couldn't stop reading and I already knew what happened from reading the Bible. I loved the other two books in the series, but I think this last one was the best. It had to be tough to write.
I found the way everything was set up very compelling. It makes more sense to me now why there was such a rift in David's life after that event. Yes, Nathan the prophet had said that the sword would never be taken from David's house, which meant there would be strife in the king's home and death. I understood that fairly well, but now it makes more sense to me given the entire story. People lost faith in David because of the adultery he'd committed and as a result his followers and the military were more easily persuaded by Absalom to go against their king.
The particulars regarding how everything transpired was brought to life for me through Ms. Smith's fictionalized account of this famous couple's story. Sin is never rewarded even if God redeems it and uses it for His glory in the end, like the fact that Jesus descended from David and Bathsheba's second child.
I could see David was in an emotional place where he was vulnerable to temptation when he saw Bathsheba. He was restless and wanted a wife he could be close to after his favored wife's death. He stayed back to grieve the loss of Abigail when he should have joined his men in battle, and did this several times. There are so many details that contributed his bad decision to commit adultery. Then once he had done it, the ramifications continued to pile up until someone's death was the only way to resolve the situation. He didn't want Bathsheba to be stoned as the law required because of what he'd done. At the same time, even that desperate attempt to cover up his sin hadn't fixed the problem.
David's sin was always before him and made him sick from the worry and guilt. Fear sapped both of them of strength and robbed any peace they'd had. Anxiety about what could be done if they were found out permeated every thought. The consequences of his sin were far-reaching. Even though Bathsheba had agreed to be with David that night, she had been reluctant to do so, yet she still fell. David was a very handsome and charismatic king and many people were drawn to him.
When David had Uriah killed I really identified with Bathsheba's conflicted emotions and pain. I understood--wrong as it was-- why he thought Uriah's death in battle was the only solution. I felt for Uriah because he was truly a good man and trusting servant. He was innocent and his only real fault was being a warrior with a beautiful wife. I could see how David's men lost even more respect for him when everything came out.
The grieving that David did over his sin was well done. I felt his agony. I could almost see him stealing away to write some of the Psalms as a way of dealing with his guilt and sorrow. I loved how he truly recognized the calamity he had brought on his family by following his fleshly desires.
I also loved the way the author showed Bathsheba's anger and conflicted emotions about the situation she'd found herself in. I could see how she hated what happened and her life at that point, yet at the same time she worked through the pain and loss. She was a strong woman and I could see why she was David's favorite wife. She was also beautiful on the inside.
The story of David and Bathsheba is a great example of God making beauty come from ashes and joy from mourning. Not because the sin committed was of no consequence, but the Grace of God is powerful enough to cover all sin and restore any life if there is true repentance. There are always consequences, though, and this story shows that while God had forgiven them, there was still a plethora of long-lasting repercussions that existed. The ramifications resulting from their transgression had to be dealt with on a regular basis, but God saw them through it when they called upon His name.
I have to admire the author for writing this book and making it compelling. I couldn't stop reading and I already knew what happened from reading the Bible. I loved the other two books in the series, but I think this last one was the best. It had to be tough to write.
I found the way everything was set up very compelling. It makes more sense to me now why there was such a rift in David's life after that event. Yes, Nathan the prophet had said that the sword would never be taken from David's house, which meant there would be strife in the king's home and death. I understood that fairly well, but now it makes more sense to me given the entire story. People lost faith in David because of the adultery he'd committed and as a result his followers and the military were more easily persuaded by Absalom to go against their king.
The particulars regarding how everything transpired was brought to life for me through Ms. Smith's fictionalized account of this famous couple's story. Sin is never rewarded even if God redeems it and uses it for His glory in the end, like the fact that Jesus descended from David and Bathsheba's second child.
I could see David was in an emotional place where he was vulnerable to temptation when he saw Bathsheba. He was restless and wanted a wife he could be close to after his favored wife's death. He stayed back to grieve the loss of Abigail when he should have joined his men in battle, and did this several times. There are so many details that contributed his bad decision to commit adultery. Then once he had done it, the ramifications continued to pile up until someone's death was the only way to resolve the situation. He didn't want Bathsheba to be stoned as the law required because of what he'd done. At the same time, even that desperate attempt to cover up his sin hadn't fixed the problem.
David's sin was always before him and made him sick from the worry and guilt. Fear sapped both of them of strength and robbed any peace they'd had. Anxiety about what could be done if they were found out permeated every thought. The consequences of his sin were far-reaching. Even though Bathsheba had agreed to be with David that night, she had been reluctant to do so, yet she still fell. David was a very handsome and charismatic king and many people were drawn to him.
When David had Uriah killed I really identified with Bathsheba's conflicted emotions and pain. I understood--wrong as it was-- why he thought Uriah's death in battle was the only solution. I felt for Uriah because he was truly a good man and trusting servant. He was innocent and his only real fault was being a warrior with a beautiful wife. I could see how David's men lost even more respect for him when everything came out.
The grieving that David did over his sin was well done. I felt his agony. I could almost see him stealing away to write some of the Psalms as a way of dealing with his guilt and sorrow. I loved how he truly recognized the calamity he had brought on his family by following his fleshly desires.
I also loved the way the author showed Bathsheba's anger and conflicted emotions about the situation she'd found herself in. I could see how she hated what happened and her life at that point, yet at the same time she worked through the pain and loss. She was a strong woman and I could see why she was David's favorite wife. She was also beautiful on the inside.
The story of David and Bathsheba is a great example of God making beauty come from ashes and joy from mourning. Not because the sin committed was of no consequence, but the Grace of God is powerful enough to cover all sin and restore any life if there is true repentance. There are always consequences, though, and this story shows that while God had forgiven them, there was still a plethora of long-lasting repercussions that existed. The ramifications resulting from their transgression had to be dealt with on a regular basis, but God saw them through it when they called upon His name.
March 21, 2011
For the concluding volume in The Wives of King David trilogy, author Jill Eileen Smith breathes life into the story of David’s most infamous wife, Bathsheba – a woman who came into his life through adultery, who in spite of her scandal-ridden past would come to have the honor of being named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Like the previous two wives Smith brought to life (Michal and Abigail), Bathsheba’s past is again strikingly different from theirs, and her life intersects with a David who is the established, beloved – and prideful? – King of Israel. The Bible gives perhaps even less insight into Bathsheba’s character and personality than it does Michal and Abigail, leaving Smith a veritable blank canvas with which to recreate the events leading up to, and the consequences of, one of history’s most famous affairs. Using the Biblical text as her framework, Smith weaves an engrossing tale of the events and struggles that would lead David, a man after God’s own heart, mighty and favored beyond imagination, to claim another man’s wife as his own. And she brings to colorful life Bathsheba, the woman whose beauty would threaten the security of a kingdom, and who’s one night of forbidden passion with a king would bring about devastating repercussions, redeemable only by the grace of a merciful God.
For the first third of this novel, Smith introduces readers to Bathsheba’s life prior to her fateful night with David. A daughter of privilege, born into a family with close ties to David’s royal house, she was given in marriage to Uriah, a Hittite who adopted the faith of Israel and gained honor and position as one of the Thirty, David’s select group of warriors. At times I really struggled to connect with Bathsheba and Uriah – she never seemed satisfied, always questioning and doubting her husband’s love since wars kept him away from her months at a time, while he was so pragmatic and dedicated to the letter of the law that he had no sympathy for or inkling of how to handle Bathsheba’s emotional volatility. However Uriah, perhaps one of the most tragically wronged individuals in the Bible, is fully realized as an honorable, loyal innocent caught up in events not of his own making or desire. Though it is never specified in the Bible that Bathsheba and David met prior to the night he sent for her in 2 Samuel 11, Smith conjectures – reasonably, I think – that due to Bathsheba’s family heritage and her husband’s position in David’s royal guard, that it’s possible they met earlier. Such a meeting plants the seeds of curiosity and desire in each of them, sparks that flame into a full-blown obsession when David witnesses Bathsheba’s ritual purification bath from the palace rooftop. Smith does a superb job of creating emotional tension between David and Bathsheba, and the fallout from their passion and attempts to hide their sin is positively wrenching to witness.
One of the aspects I’ve really appreciated about this trilogy is Smith’s ability to bring to life David’s most famous wives, and make them living and breathing, relatable, fallible humans. The scripture seems to imply that Bathsheba was a willing partner in adultery by the omission of any words to the contrary – and while Smith’s retelling doesn’t shy away from Bathsheba’s possible complicity, she also explores her fall with a perspective I’d not imagined before. The social and cultural structure that Bathsheba operated within – that made her wholly subject to the dictates of the men in her life – make it easier to understand how her society would have conditioned her to obey men, whether father, husband, or king, without question. The consequences of David’s callous selfishness in claiming Bathsheba when he had no right is heartbreaking to watch unfold. David and Bathsheba’s shared guilt provides Smith with the springboard for crafting a powerful illustration of God’s redemptive grace in the face of unfathomable sorrow. Bathsheba is a story of second chances, and God’s ability to bring beauty from the ashes of seemingly irredeemable mistakes, when a broken soul seeks and accepts forgiveness.
For the first third of this novel, Smith introduces readers to Bathsheba’s life prior to her fateful night with David. A daughter of privilege, born into a family with close ties to David’s royal house, she was given in marriage to Uriah, a Hittite who adopted the faith of Israel and gained honor and position as one of the Thirty, David’s select group of warriors. At times I really struggled to connect with Bathsheba and Uriah – she never seemed satisfied, always questioning and doubting her husband’s love since wars kept him away from her months at a time, while he was so pragmatic and dedicated to the letter of the law that he had no sympathy for or inkling of how to handle Bathsheba’s emotional volatility. However Uriah, perhaps one of the most tragically wronged individuals in the Bible, is fully realized as an honorable, loyal innocent caught up in events not of his own making or desire. Though it is never specified in the Bible that Bathsheba and David met prior to the night he sent for her in 2 Samuel 11, Smith conjectures – reasonably, I think – that due to Bathsheba’s family heritage and her husband’s position in David’s royal guard, that it’s possible they met earlier. Such a meeting plants the seeds of curiosity and desire in each of them, sparks that flame into a full-blown obsession when David witnesses Bathsheba’s ritual purification bath from the palace rooftop. Smith does a superb job of creating emotional tension between David and Bathsheba, and the fallout from their passion and attempts to hide their sin is positively wrenching to witness.
One of the aspects I’ve really appreciated about this trilogy is Smith’s ability to bring to life David’s most famous wives, and make them living and breathing, relatable, fallible humans. The scripture seems to imply that Bathsheba was a willing partner in adultery by the omission of any words to the contrary – and while Smith’s retelling doesn’t shy away from Bathsheba’s possible complicity, she also explores her fall with a perspective I’d not imagined before. The social and cultural structure that Bathsheba operated within – that made her wholly subject to the dictates of the men in her life – make it easier to understand how her society would have conditioned her to obey men, whether father, husband, or king, without question. The consequences of David’s callous selfishness in claiming Bathsheba when he had no right is heartbreaking to watch unfold. David and Bathsheba’s shared guilt provides Smith with the springboard for crafting a powerful illustration of God’s redemptive grace in the face of unfathomable sorrow. Bathsheba is a story of second chances, and God’s ability to bring beauty from the ashes of seemingly irredeemable mistakes, when a broken soul seeks and accepts forgiveness.
June 23, 2012
As author of Michal's Window, I read this book with great trepidation. Here is the woman who made King David stray into adultery. What would her story be like?
The book starts out innocently enough with Bathsheba a teenybopper and her friend Chava giddy with excitement at being invited to dine with the handsome king. While Chava provided all the hysterics, Bathsheba admired David from a distance.
Soon enough, she is married to Uriah, the loyal warrior. She grows restless with her husband's frequent absence and wonders if she'd ever have a normal family, including children.
When she meets the old king wandering on his wall, they flirt and talk about music, their common interest. Talk is soon not enough, and on a hot, restless night, the king wanders out on his wall and decides to take the next step. Oh... he's a smooth devil, that one, he strums her heart with his fingers, singing her life with his words, killing her softly... Not until it's too late does Bathsheba realize the snare... "You have reason to resent your king." "I'm sorry to cause you such pain and loneliness." as he traces a line up her arm and turns her face to kiss her. "Will you stay and accept my love as a token of my apology?" as he drops her robe and probes her private places. Very subtle and very smooth.
Bathsheba's seduction has been written throughout the ages in many different ways, from outright violent rape to a temptress bent on trapping the saintly king. Smith takes an innocent approach, giving both of her characters plenty of excuses--loneliness, grief, boredom, the need for a friend. Yet, if David was so in need of a friend, why couldn't he revisit his love with Michal, whom Smith has redeemed into an angelic being, foster mother of Abigail's daughter. Smith's Michal is a calm, pleasant and cooperative woman who bears no resentment toward David's other wives. She would have been the perfect friend and companion for the aged king.
Bathsheba tells the story of David's later years through the eyes of a young wife--one who was outcast and befriended only by Michal. It is a sad story, as she never really had the normal family she would have wanted. Yet she made the best of it by ensuring her son Solomon was elevated to the throne. The seeds of Solomon's destruction is seen planted by his already roving eye, and his rationalization that he wouldn't commit the sin of his father because he'd simply marry every woman he fancied. Perhaps David's biggest failing after the way he treated his wife, Michal, was his lack of training for his sons. Absalom's rebellion is depicted with its tragic result and Solomon continues the downward spiral.
Smith has done a fairly good job of taking this sordid chapter of David's life and smoothing it out into a December-May romance. Bathsheba is on sale at Amazon for $2.99 until June 24, 2012. Get it at this low price while you can!
The book starts out innocently enough with Bathsheba a teenybopper and her friend Chava giddy with excitement at being invited to dine with the handsome king. While Chava provided all the hysterics, Bathsheba admired David from a distance.
Soon enough, she is married to Uriah, the loyal warrior. She grows restless with her husband's frequent absence and wonders if she'd ever have a normal family, including children.
When she meets the old king wandering on his wall, they flirt and talk about music, their common interest. Talk is soon not enough, and on a hot, restless night, the king wanders out on his wall and decides to take the next step. Oh... he's a smooth devil, that one, he strums her heart with his fingers, singing her life with his words, killing her softly... Not until it's too late does Bathsheba realize the snare... "You have reason to resent your king." "I'm sorry to cause you such pain and loneliness." as he traces a line up her arm and turns her face to kiss her. "Will you stay and accept my love as a token of my apology?" as he drops her robe and probes her private places. Very subtle and very smooth.
Bathsheba's seduction has been written throughout the ages in many different ways, from outright violent rape to a temptress bent on trapping the saintly king. Smith takes an innocent approach, giving both of her characters plenty of excuses--loneliness, grief, boredom, the need for a friend. Yet, if David was so in need of a friend, why couldn't he revisit his love with Michal, whom Smith has redeemed into an angelic being, foster mother of Abigail's daughter. Smith's Michal is a calm, pleasant and cooperative woman who bears no resentment toward David's other wives. She would have been the perfect friend and companion for the aged king.
Bathsheba tells the story of David's later years through the eyes of a young wife--one who was outcast and befriended only by Michal. It is a sad story, as she never really had the normal family she would have wanted. Yet she made the best of it by ensuring her son Solomon was elevated to the throne. The seeds of Solomon's destruction is seen planted by his already roving eye, and his rationalization that he wouldn't commit the sin of his father because he'd simply marry every woman he fancied. Perhaps David's biggest failing after the way he treated his wife, Michal, was his lack of training for his sons. Absalom's rebellion is depicted with its tragic result and Solomon continues the downward spiral.
Smith has done a fairly good job of taking this sordid chapter of David's life and smoothing it out into a December-May romance. Bathsheba is on sale at Amazon for $2.99 until June 24, 2012. Get it at this low price while you can!
February 13, 2012
Here’s the deal on this book. I already knew the story of Bathsheba and the aftermath of what David’s sin meant for the rest of his life. I think that really took away a lot of suspense and the “page-turner” quality I look for in a book. If you are not familiar with the biblical account, I’m sure this would hold your interest much better.
Having said that, I did appreciate that it fleshed out some parts of the story which are left unwritten in the Bible. For instance, why did Uriah refuse to go home and see his wife when King David called him home from battle? And what was Bathsheba doing bathing outside in the first place? (OK, I actually knew the answers to those questions too, but for any of you who have wondered….)
Also, military wives might be especially interested in this book because Bathsheba was a military wife. The book describes the pre-deployment distance phenomenon pretty well (the author did her research through interviewing contemporary military wives), as well as the grief and loneliness that usually comes with deployment. Even the argument “She knew what she was getting into when she married a warrior” is found in this book- it is obviously an age-old theme, but as we all know, it’s not much comfort when a military wife is dealing with the daily life of being married to a soldier.
All in all, I think if you are interested in this infamous character from the Bible, you would really enjoy this book.
Having said that, I did appreciate that it fleshed out some parts of the story which are left unwritten in the Bible. For instance, why did Uriah refuse to go home and see his wife when King David called him home from battle? And what was Bathsheba doing bathing outside in the first place? (OK, I actually knew the answers to those questions too, but for any of you who have wondered….)
Also, military wives might be especially interested in this book because Bathsheba was a military wife. The book describes the pre-deployment distance phenomenon pretty well (the author did her research through interviewing contemporary military wives), as well as the grief and loneliness that usually comes with deployment. Even the argument “She knew what she was getting into when she married a warrior” is found in this book- it is obviously an age-old theme, but as we all know, it’s not much comfort when a military wife is dealing with the daily life of being married to a soldier.
All in all, I think if you are interested in this infamous character from the Bible, you would really enjoy this book.
May 2, 2018
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book as much as I would have liked, which was a shame as I liked her previous two novels based on the wives of King David. I think the first reason why I had to mark it down as much as I did was the interpretation of Bathsheba whom I could not relate to or feel great sympathy for, which was a little disappointing given that she is the narrator of the story. The second reason was the way that the author portrayed the story as a great romance , which I believe was far from the truth as the original text was full of lust, betrayal, murder and in my view rape. I don't blame the author for taking this path in the story of Bathsheba as most authors tend to go for the star-crossed lovers vibe, but I find it sad that we can't explore the story of this young woman and see it for what it was. I believe her story was one of repentance and believing in the mercy of God, but I do not think for a moment that she was at fault for being powerless over the powers of a lustful king. In my view I think the book would have been better ended at the birth of Solomon as there was nothing to be added to the story that was worth reading after that. 2 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2011
Bathsheba, book three in the Wives of King David series, is the latest book by Jill Eileen Smith, and it doesn't disappoint at all! While the story itself is not new to me, the delivery of the story is what makes this book so special. I love the descriptions of David's palace, like the extravagance of the food and the elegance of his garments, which make the story come to life on the page. I also love the emotion that is displayed in the love triangle which is Bathsheba, David, and Uriah, and Jill does not hold anything back!
Jill Eileen Smith has seriously found her niche in writing Biblical fiction. I'm hard pressed to find anyone else at the top of their game in that genre as well as she is right now. She has such exceptional talent that explodes on every page with her emotional characters and words that breath new life into age-old Biblical stories. I highly recommend Bathsheba for fans of Biblical fiction!
Jill Eileen Smith has seriously found her niche in writing Biblical fiction. I'm hard pressed to find anyone else at the top of their game in that genre as well as she is right now. She has such exceptional talent that explodes on every page with her emotional characters and words that breath new life into age-old Biblical stories. I highly recommend Bathsheba for fans of Biblical fiction!
July 22, 2019
This might be my least favorite of the series, although it was still very good and I'm glad I took the time to read it. I'm not even sure why it dragged a bit for me--the historical facts and drama were covered well throughout its pages, the characters were vivid and many were more real to me than they've been as I read the pieces of their stories contained within the Bible. Perhaps it was the constant drama David faced on multiple fronts, which is exhausting to read about so I can't imagine living it out as he and his advisors did. At any rate, it rounded out the series and David's life with the same amount of honesty and reality as the author started in Michal.
February 27, 2023
This was my favorite book from this series.
Even though yes Bathsheba became David’s most infamous wife for all the wrong reasons I always love reading about how she was able to still be redeemed and also how her son Solomon ultimately became king after David.
I think that this book gives you a very realistic way of how David’s spiritual life was not as solid as it had been which led to him committing adultery with Bathsheba. It also gives you a look into what Bathsheba’s life might have been like and what might have led her to commit a mistake.
It was really beautiful to read how they repented from their actions and how God redeemed them and even blessed them.
Even though yes Bathsheba became David’s most infamous wife for all the wrong reasons I always love reading about how she was able to still be redeemed and also how her son Solomon ultimately became king after David.
I think that this book gives you a very realistic way of how David’s spiritual life was not as solid as it had been which led to him committing adultery with Bathsheba. It also gives you a look into what Bathsheba’s life might have been like and what might have led her to commit a mistake.
It was really beautiful to read how they repented from their actions and how God redeemed them and even blessed them.
March 7, 2012
Jill Eileen Smith does it again! In Bathsheba, she takes a controversial story from the Bible and makes it real and emotional. This is the most difficult book of the series to read, and I found myself very uncomfortable as I watched David and Bathsheba follow the path of temptation, but the redemption each finds makes it worthwhile. Having just studied David with my women's group, I found this novel very illuminating.
I'm looking forward to her coming Wives of the Patriarchs series!
I'm looking forward to her coming Wives of the Patriarchs series!
March 15, 2015
Good book
I really enjoyed reading this book and even though it is fiction it kept to the truth as the bible puts it. Through this book I was able to look more closely at the lives of Bathsheba and David, their thoughts emotions and feelings. They were real human beings with flaws like all of us but still God used them to bring about good, dispute their flaws. I would very much recommend this book to all.
I really enjoyed reading this book and even though it is fiction it kept to the truth as the bible puts it. Through this book I was able to look more closely at the lives of Bathsheba and David, their thoughts emotions and feelings. They were real human beings with flaws like all of us but still God used them to bring about good, dispute their flaws. I would very much recommend this book to all.
July 11, 2018
I was always interested in King David and Bathsheba. This book truly shows the love between them. It also shows the consequences of that love. This is the third book about King David's wives, but I have read this first. I loved the writing and the story telling greatly and will be reading Smith's other two books involving The Wives of King David.
April 10, 2012
I loved it! The book stuck to the Biblical facts, and did not go into excessive detail (despite the sticky story). It was interesting and complete. I highly recommend it to any Biblical fiction lovers.
January 1, 2025
A biblical story that came to life . I really enjoyed this book . I think Jill Eileen Smith did a good job . The focus was on King David and Bathsheba and God used them to bring good ,Mercy and forgiveness.
God in control !
God in control !
October 11, 2011
A fantastic conclusion to Jill's The Wives of King David series with a reminder of God's amazing mercy and forgiveness. Highly recommended.
December 19, 2014
Yes this took me months to read, but it was on my Kindle, and I didn't get on it that often. While on vacation, I finished it. It was okay. I like the Michal book better.
April 24, 2012
Baker Publishing Group| March 1, 2011| Trade Paperback| ISBN # 978-0-8007-3322-3
Story Description:
Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her devout husband away fighting the King's wars for many months at a time, discontent and loneliness dog her steps--and make it frighteningly easy to succumb to King David's charm and attention. Though she immediately regrets her involvement with the powerful King, the pieces are set in motion that will destroy everything she holds dear. Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God--and David--forever? With a historian's sharp eye for detail and a novelist's creative spirit, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the passionate and emotional story of David's most famous--and infamous--wife. Smith uses her gentle hand to draw out the humanity in her characters, allowing readers to see themselves in the three-dimensional lives and minds of people who are often viewed in starkly moralistic terms. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba in the same way again.
My Review:
Jerusalem, 994 BC
Bathsheba and her husband, Uriah have been married for three years are trying to have a baby. They only had two more days together before, Uriah left again for many months. On the third night he would sleep in another room, refusing any intimate touch in preparation for war. This was something about him Bathsheba just couldn’t understand. The days spent marching to the place of battle should give him plenty of time to become pure in thought. Why did he have to start before he even left her side?
Bathsheba couldn’t sleep anymore so she went to the cooking room. Her servant, Tirzah heard her and came to join her. She knew Bathsheba was upset so she poured her a glass of wine. Tirzah knew Bathsheba well as she had looked after her since she was a child and said to her: “I think it’s time for you to be honest.” Bathsheba replied: “Honest? You think I would lie to you about something?” Tirzah answered: “I think you would like to yourself and to your husband. Me, you would avoid…I think you are lonely, perhaps even angry.” Bathsheba tells her if she is lonely it’s only because Uriah is gone more than he is home, she doesn’t have a child to take his place, and that she doesn’t sleep well when he is away. She goes on to say that her life and her marriage aren’t worth anything if she can’t give Uriah an heir to carry on the Hittite line and she fears he may take another wife if she doesn’t conceive soon.
Uriah was an extremely religious man who obeyed the laws, enjoyed the reading of the law, and the reminder of all that God required of a man. He wondered if his sins were keeping God from granting his wife a child? Was he paying for them in the loss of his first wife and now the barrenness of his second wife. Or, was Bathsheba’s barrenness her own fault? The thought bothered him whenever the call to war drew near and her emotions grew frayed.
A pounding suddenly came at the door of their home. It was three of King David’s messengers come to request Uriah’s presence at the Palace immediately for King David’s favourite wife, Abigail, had just died giving birth to their third child together. King David has named her “Abigail” after her mother. Bathsheba went along too to pay her respects to the King. He buried her in the tomb that was waiting someday for his body instead of the tomb meant for all the other wives.
Due to the death and his grief over his beloved wife, Abigail, King David had decided not to go with his men this time to lead them in the war and instead stayed behind in the Palace waiting for daily updates from his army. One afternoon he went up to the roof of the Palace to be alone with his thoughts and look over the city. The next roof over from the Palace was that of Bathsheba and Uriah’s. Bathsheba was also up on her roof at the same time and King David saw how very beautiful she was. He asked her name and who the lucky man was that was married to such a beauty. Bathsheba relayed her condolences to the King over his loss of Abigail. Of course, it didn’t escape her how extremely handsome the King was.
King David was walking in aimless circles along the perimeter of his palace, stopping every few minutes at the parapet to gaze out over the City of Jerusalem. He hadn’t been to his roof in three months to avoid his desire to look in the direction of the woman (Bathsheba) he’d met the day his men left for war. For him to speak with her again would not bode well, or be proper, if others heard of it. He thought about asking one of his other wives to take a walk in the courtyard with him as a woman can be a great distraction from grief and war, as he’d briefly noticed the day he met his neighbor’s wife. But the respite had been short-lived. Abigail’s death had left a deep hole in his heart, and no other woman would ever be able to take her place. He questioned himself as to why God had taken the one woman who understood him, with whom he could discuss his concerns and share his burdens – the one woman who had stolen his heart.
Hushai the Archite went to speak with King David about his overwhelming grief over losing Abigail. He told the King he should find another wife who had as much faith in God as the King himself did. Hushai reminded David that he had kept all his promises to Abigail but she was gone now and he no longer needed to keep the promise of not taking any more wives. The King finally relented and told Hushai: “Bring me your choices.”
Bathsheba was preparing for the new moon feast later that evening and had sent invitations to family members and all had agreed to join her. Yearning for her family tugged at her to help fight the loneliness she felt with Uriah’s absence. But if she was honest with herself, it was a glimpse of the King she longed for the most. Her pulse quickened at the thought, bringing with it a troubling sense of guilt. Loneliness was the only explanation for the way her mind kept playing their conversation of months before. And if Uriah had never gone to war she wouldn’t have been on the roof that day and never have spoken one single word to the King. But every day her gaze traveled to the spot where she’d stood and was a testament to the fact that she missed her husband. She wondered if the war would ever end?
Tirzah was just finishing up painting Bathsheba’s hands and feet with henna when there was a loud knock at the door. Tirzah answered and quickly returned to Bathsheba’s bedchamber and told her: “Mistress, you must dress quickly in your best robes and come at once. Messengers have come from the King. Your presence at the palace is requested immediately.” Bathsheba gripped the edge of her bed, her breath growing still. “The King is asking for me? What could he possibly want?” Then it dawned on Bathsheba that perhaps there was some bad news about her husband, Uriah. A sick feeling and a shudder rushed through her body.
What did King David want with Bathsheba? I will say that when I read the rest of the story, my heart bled for Bathsheba. In my opinion, she didn’t deserve all what happened to her. I totally fell in love with this story and the book is so well written you’d think you were reading scripture from the Bible. Some scenes, of course, weren’t explained fully or the book would have been never ending.
BATHSHEBA concludes the series “The Wives of King David”. Jill Eileen Smith is one Christian author I will continue to read in the future.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".
Story Description:
Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her devout husband away fighting the King's wars for many months at a time, discontent and loneliness dog her steps--and make it frighteningly easy to succumb to King David's charm and attention. Though she immediately regrets her involvement with the powerful King, the pieces are set in motion that will destroy everything she holds dear. Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God--and David--forever? With a historian's sharp eye for detail and a novelist's creative spirit, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the passionate and emotional story of David's most famous--and infamous--wife. Smith uses her gentle hand to draw out the humanity in her characters, allowing readers to see themselves in the three-dimensional lives and minds of people who are often viewed in starkly moralistic terms. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba in the same way again.
My Review:
Jerusalem, 994 BC
Bathsheba and her husband, Uriah have been married for three years are trying to have a baby. They only had two more days together before, Uriah left again for many months. On the third night he would sleep in another room, refusing any intimate touch in preparation for war. This was something about him Bathsheba just couldn’t understand. The days spent marching to the place of battle should give him plenty of time to become pure in thought. Why did he have to start before he even left her side?
Bathsheba couldn’t sleep anymore so she went to the cooking room. Her servant, Tirzah heard her and came to join her. She knew Bathsheba was upset so she poured her a glass of wine. Tirzah knew Bathsheba well as she had looked after her since she was a child and said to her: “I think it’s time for you to be honest.” Bathsheba replied: “Honest? You think I would lie to you about something?” Tirzah answered: “I think you would like to yourself and to your husband. Me, you would avoid…I think you are lonely, perhaps even angry.” Bathsheba tells her if she is lonely it’s only because Uriah is gone more than he is home, she doesn’t have a child to take his place, and that she doesn’t sleep well when he is away. She goes on to say that her life and her marriage aren’t worth anything if she can’t give Uriah an heir to carry on the Hittite line and she fears he may take another wife if she doesn’t conceive soon.
Uriah was an extremely religious man who obeyed the laws, enjoyed the reading of the law, and the reminder of all that God required of a man. He wondered if his sins were keeping God from granting his wife a child? Was he paying for them in the loss of his first wife and now the barrenness of his second wife. Or, was Bathsheba’s barrenness her own fault? The thought bothered him whenever the call to war drew near and her emotions grew frayed.
A pounding suddenly came at the door of their home. It was three of King David’s messengers come to request Uriah’s presence at the Palace immediately for King David’s favourite wife, Abigail, had just died giving birth to their third child together. King David has named her “Abigail” after her mother. Bathsheba went along too to pay her respects to the King. He buried her in the tomb that was waiting someday for his body instead of the tomb meant for all the other wives.
Due to the death and his grief over his beloved wife, Abigail, King David had decided not to go with his men this time to lead them in the war and instead stayed behind in the Palace waiting for daily updates from his army. One afternoon he went up to the roof of the Palace to be alone with his thoughts and look over the city. The next roof over from the Palace was that of Bathsheba and Uriah’s. Bathsheba was also up on her roof at the same time and King David saw how very beautiful she was. He asked her name and who the lucky man was that was married to such a beauty. Bathsheba relayed her condolences to the King over his loss of Abigail. Of course, it didn’t escape her how extremely handsome the King was.
King David was walking in aimless circles along the perimeter of his palace, stopping every few minutes at the parapet to gaze out over the City of Jerusalem. He hadn’t been to his roof in three months to avoid his desire to look in the direction of the woman (Bathsheba) he’d met the day his men left for war. For him to speak with her again would not bode well, or be proper, if others heard of it. He thought about asking one of his other wives to take a walk in the courtyard with him as a woman can be a great distraction from grief and war, as he’d briefly noticed the day he met his neighbor’s wife. But the respite had been short-lived. Abigail’s death had left a deep hole in his heart, and no other woman would ever be able to take her place. He questioned himself as to why God had taken the one woman who understood him, with whom he could discuss his concerns and share his burdens – the one woman who had stolen his heart.
Hushai the Archite went to speak with King David about his overwhelming grief over losing Abigail. He told the King he should find another wife who had as much faith in God as the King himself did. Hushai reminded David that he had kept all his promises to Abigail but she was gone now and he no longer needed to keep the promise of not taking any more wives. The King finally relented and told Hushai: “Bring me your choices.”
Bathsheba was preparing for the new moon feast later that evening and had sent invitations to family members and all had agreed to join her. Yearning for her family tugged at her to help fight the loneliness she felt with Uriah’s absence. But if she was honest with herself, it was a glimpse of the King she longed for the most. Her pulse quickened at the thought, bringing with it a troubling sense of guilt. Loneliness was the only explanation for the way her mind kept playing their conversation of months before. And if Uriah had never gone to war she wouldn’t have been on the roof that day and never have spoken one single word to the King. But every day her gaze traveled to the spot where she’d stood and was a testament to the fact that she missed her husband. She wondered if the war would ever end?
Tirzah was just finishing up painting Bathsheba’s hands and feet with henna when there was a loud knock at the door. Tirzah answered and quickly returned to Bathsheba’s bedchamber and told her: “Mistress, you must dress quickly in your best robes and come at once. Messengers have come from the King. Your presence at the palace is requested immediately.” Bathsheba gripped the edge of her bed, her breath growing still. “The King is asking for me? What could he possibly want?” Then it dawned on Bathsheba that perhaps there was some bad news about her husband, Uriah. A sick feeling and a shudder rushed through her body.
What did King David want with Bathsheba? I will say that when I read the rest of the story, my heart bled for Bathsheba. In my opinion, she didn’t deserve all what happened to her. I totally fell in love with this story and the book is so well written you’d think you were reading scripture from the Bible. Some scenes, of course, weren’t explained fully or the book would have been never ending.
BATHSHEBA concludes the series “The Wives of King David”. Jill Eileen Smith is one Christian author I will continue to read in the future.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".
March 18, 2022
I love reading Jill Eileen Smith's books because she challenges the reader to rethink the people we have read about for years in the Bible.She adds emotions and dialogue giving the reader a nuanced understanding of each Biblical character. I don't always agree with her portrayal of certain Bible characters so I am always challenged to reread familiar Bible passages. I loved the constant reminders of God's love and forgiveness throughout her account of Bathsheba and David. A comforting reminder for all of her readers.
July 19, 2023
I honestly don't know what to say. I almost DNF'd multiple times, but for some reason, I kept pushing and gave up with less than 100 pages to finish. I did not like Part 1 at all. The end of Part 2 is where it started to be halfway interesting to me. I dont think I'll be reading anymore in this series like I originally planned. Unfortunately, I found myself skimming to get through it when I was reading, but i had to sit it down for a day or so in between reading stints. This was a miss for me.
July 17, 2025
Well written. The emotions came alive. A good idea of how things might have been.
I thought about things in new ways, or noticed things I hadn't before.
In the author's note, she turns us back to the Bible to learn and imagine for ourselves what it could have been. In all the pain, evil, beauty, and forgiveness of it.
I thought about things in new ways, or noticed things I hadn't before.
In the author's note, she turns us back to the Bible to learn and imagine for ourselves what it could have been. In all the pain, evil, beauty, and forgiveness of it.
November 12, 2024
This book lost me towards the end. I loved the beginning of the book and with every sentence I was eager to know what happens. The characters began to bore me, and I found myself irritated by them on a number of occasions.
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