Bathsheba was an Israelite who had married a foreigner. Her husband Uriah, who was born a Hittite, was a faithful soldier to King David. But David dishonored Uriah. In a scandal that rocked Israel, David had Uriah killed in battle - it is said - to cover up the fact that Uriah's wife was pregnant by David.
Scripture says along with Uriah, Bathsheba was a victim of David. God sent the prophet, Nathan, to confront David, laying sole responsibility on him as king. Bathsheba had been a pawn to a king who had forgotten that he did not have the last word on morality. The king of Israel was responsible to God, the King of all kings who called for justice, kindness, and compassion.
Today, I can't even imagine the devastation that Bathsheba went through. Violated by the King, a man of great power, who then had her husband killed on the battlefield. Bathsheba's life was ruined. But God would not be stopped by these circumstances. God's possibilities thrive in impossible situations. Just when it seems as if history is at another dead end, God opens a new path forward. Bathsheba became the mother of a King whose glory was only exceeded by Christ. We must remember dead ends are all around us, but God specializes in opening new roads.
David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah's wife (Matthew 1:6).
Let's Pray
Yahweh, as I look back over my life there have been times when I felt that parts of my life were destroyed by the greed and injustice of others, and I didn't know where to turn. God, please comfort me and others whose lives at times appear to be in ruins. Open a road where life has put a dead end. In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.