I was listening to Bible studies about the life of David when the Bible teacher suddenly and repeatedly asked this question: “Why was Bathsheba so obvious?”

I had heard sermons about the story of David and Bathsheba before, and normally it is David who is blamed for staying back at home while his soldiers were involved in battle. Sometimes the preacher would ask: “Why did she have her bath on the roof top?” But here was a new angle to the story: “Why was Bathsheba so obvious?”

A few weeks ago the college ran a course on Marriage and Singleness. A team of staff members was engaged in teaching this course, each with their unique personal history to enhance and speak into the topic. My husband and I were assigned to speak about “Communication in Marriage”. While preparing it suddenly dawned on me why Bathsheba had been so obvious. Have you ever met a lonely wife? I think Bathsheba was one. Uriah the Hittite, her husband, was a great soldier, very dedicated and committed to the cause, not to be distracted by anything, not even by his wife. He was probably gone for weeks, maybe months, at a time. And when returning back to Jerusalem he did not even greet his wife, but slept among his soldiers. A great example in discipline and warfare. And a lonely wife, craving attention, admiration, a word of acknowledgement, intimacy … “Why was Bathsheba so obvious?” How would you answer this question?

HT