Read: 1 Kings 1:11-31
Bathsheba bowed and paid homage to the king, and the king said, “What do you desire?” (v. 16)
Bathsheba was not merely the woman who committed adultery with David. She was his wife and the mother of Solomon, who would be king during Israel’s greatest reign. She became a trusted counselor and ally in the latter days of King David. God’s grace enabled Bathsheba to play an important role in a critical time of Israel’s history.
The aged King David’s health was failing, and the line of succession to the throne had not been clearly established. One of his sons, Adonijah, took advantage of his father’s ill health and declared himself to be the next king of Israel. Nathan saw this for what it was—a blatant attempt to seize power. He sought an ally in Bathsheba—the very woman whose adultery with David he had once exposed. He knew David would trust and heed her words if she warned him about Adonijah. Evidently, Solomon was the son David wanted to succeed him on the throne—the one God had chosen for the task. With Bathsheba’s help, Adonijah’s coup was brought to an end, and Solomon’s future as Israel’s king was firmly established.
Thank God we’re not defined by the sins of our past! Bathsheba became an honored queen mother and helped to establish her son’s claim to the throne. By God’s grace, we too can move beyond our past sins to become effective and useful for the kingdom of God. We are all only sinners saved by grace.
As you pray, thank God for the grace that changes sinners like us.
About the Author
Laura N. Sweet is a wife, mother, grandmother, and former Christian schoolteacher from Midland, Michigan. She writes devotional material for both adults and children, and her work has appeared in more than a dozen publications.
