Abettor
Thursday, July 27
Abettor
She replied, “My lord, you made a vow before the Lord your God when you said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.1 Kings 1:17
Have you ever experienced a sense of complete failure in your relationship with God? We are familiar with the heart of King David, as revealed in Psalm 51, following his act of adultery with Bathsheba. However, I often contemplate the emotions that Bathsheba herself must have experienced. Although the cultural context was different, did she willingly engage in adultery with David? Or was she a vulnerable pawn, too afraid to refuse the advances of a powerful king? Regardless, she would have undoubtedly felt a profound shame for betraying her husband, Uriah. And the consequences extended beyond the betrayal, with Uriah’s subsequent murder. Bathsheba must have had suspicions about David’s actions. Moreover, she too suffered the loss of their baby son. The weight of grief and guilt must have been overwhelming.
Yet, I firmly believe that Bathsheba found complete restoration in her heart through God’s forgiveness. This is evident in the way she is portrayed in Scripture following these events.
In 1 Kings 1:17 it says “She replied, “My lord, you made a vow before the Lord your God when you said to me, ‘Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne.” God chose her son to be king after David. And when the time came to fight for her son’s throne, we didn’t find Bathsheba sitting in the shadows, still burdened by the label of ‘adulteress’. No, we find her filled with confidence, approaching the king and reminding him of his promise to her son.
In fact, in 1 Chronicles 3:5, we learn that Bathsheba went on to have four sons with David. Bathsheba seems to have become one of the most influential women in the palace! And God affirms Bathsheba’s restoration even more through her descendants. When we look for the genealogy of Jesus Christ, we find two different family trees. Most people believe that one genealogy is the family of Joseph, Jesus’ adoptive father and one is the family of Mary, His mother. And Bathsheba appears in both families! So whether Jesus was descended from Solomon’s line or from the line of Nathan, God chose Bathsheba as a grandmother to His Son.
Perhaps you’re feeling shame over something in your life. Maybe you were a weak person who didn’t stand your ground and say no to sin. Or maybe you were bold in your sin, like Bathsheba might have been. Either way, God’s restoration is waiting for you. His plan for your life, and the lives of your children’s children, is much bigger than you know.
Prayer for today: Lord, my heart is broken over my sin. I receive Your forgiveness and ask now for Your cleansing to renew my heart and mind. I believe You’re a restoring God. I give my shame and guilt to You and I choose to follow the path You’ve planned for my life. Use me for Your glory. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.