Re-Reading the Story of Bathsheba: A Mother or Murderer in the Royal Court of David

Abstract

Available scholarly literatures on Bathsheba have viewed her from many angles as a famous woman in the royal court of David. At times she was labeled as a “weak, great influencer, domineering and resolute in whatever she wanted, which she must get it. However, little attention or not attention has been placed on her contradictory traits as a caring mother and at the same times a cunning murderer in the royal court. The Yahwist or Deuteronomist who had close relationship with the court in 2 Samuel 11-20:26 and 1 Kings 1-2 focused on power brokers in the narrative among who was Bathsheba. This study therefore, attempted to cross examine the dual traits of Bathsheba as a mother or she should be considered as a murderer, using critical and historical approaches and social-cultural practices of the day to interrogate the lifestyles of Bathsheba. It is our considered opinion to see which of the character took a leading prominence in her life and juxtapose this with some contemporary mothers through her lenses. The significance of the study lies in the fact that over-bearingness, jealousy and untamed ambitions and character could make someone a murderous mother at home. In conclusion, it is God that gives power and position and over ambitions to hold a position can endanger one’s life and any request or mission that can expose another man to life threatening situations should be avoided. It is therefore recommended that family tussles and crises are real but it should not strategically lead to plots that can terminate another human life as in the case of Bathsheba, Uriah, David and Adonijah in the royal court of David.