[27], Kenneth E. Bailey interprets the passage from a different perspective: he says that David's Jerusalem was tightly packed and Bathsheba's house may have been as close as twenty feet away from David's rooftop; people in ancient times were exceptionally modest about their bodies, so he suggests that Bathsheba displayed herself deliberately, so that instead of being an innocent victim, it was actually she who seduced David in order to rid herself of Uriah, and move in with King David. II". [33], The Bathsheba incident leads to a shift in the book's perspective; afterwards David "is largely at the mercy of events rather than directing them". In a previous article, I demonstrated that the Bible generally allowed marriage and sex at the onset of puberty (with the exception of Numbers 31:18 which seemingly allowed sex even before puberty). 2 One evening, David got up from his couch and was pacing back and forth on the roof of the palace. The story of David and Bathsheba is one of the most dramatic accounts in the Old Testament. One night in Jerusalem, King David was walking upon his rooftop when he spotted a beautiful woman bathing nearby ( 2 Samuel 11:2 ). The Aggadah states that Ahithophel was misled by his knowledge of astrology into believing himself destined to become king of Israel. According to the narrative, David's servants give him Abishag as a maidservant to "keep him warm." By the way, Im not a non-Muslim, but a Sunni Muslim and I apologize if I have by mistake made these allegations. The evidence in question comes from the infamous marriage of David and Bathsheba. [12], Bathsheba was the granddaughter of Ahithophel, David's famous counselor. Bathsheba receiving letter from David, by Willem Drost (1630-1680). Bathsheba, also spelled Bethsabee, in the Hebrew Bible (2 Samuel 11, 12; 1 Kings 1, 2), wife of Uriah the Hittite; she later became one of the wives of King David and The Shocking Truth About Bathshebas Marriage to David I am the author, and I have already debunked IC on Rebekah. And the claim that Allah is a moon God has been debunked many times. From his roof, King David (reigns c. 1005965 BCE) sees beautiful Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, bathing, and he lies with her. That Ahitophel is the subject of Psalm 55:12-14; Psalm 55:20-21, is contrary to all we know of the history of the rebellion of Absalom (https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/55.htm). Omissions? If this was the normal lifespan at the time, and the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days, then we can reasonably estimate Ahithophels age to less than 40 years. David, (flourished c. 1000 bce), second ruler of the united kingdom of ancient Israel and Judah. Corrections? The fact that David had to send several men to take Bathsheba may indicate that she was compelled to come to David. I reccommend you telling him to respond to this video. He identified Ahithophel in the commentary on verse 12: Ahithophels perfidy and villany troubled David more than all the rest., [40] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/55.htm, the general sentiment of commentators has always been that Ahithophel is intended. Bathsheba later gave birth to David's son Solomon. [The Septuagint calls him Eliab. Some Bible dictionaries mention both Eliams without any additional information. Furthermore, as stated, David himself was 70 years old at the time of his death. There is disagreement among the experts as to what age that should be. Then David comforted his wife, Bathsheba, and went into her and lay with her, and she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24).Davids actions may not seem like a comfort to [23], In Islam, David is considered to be a prophet, and some Islamic tradition views the Bible story as incompatible with the principle of infallibility (Ismah) of the prophets. Thus, it was not child marriage at the time since maturity tended to occur much earlier than it does now. Among the Jewish commentaries besides the Talmud and the Targums, Rashi also identified Ahithophel as the subject of the psalm. David slept with Bathsheba and arranged for Uriahs death Regardless, most sources reasonably identify the two Eliams as the same person, including, There is simply no reason to make assume otherwise, other than to avoid the embarrassment of finding out Bathshebas true age. By the way, I made a website and I have debunked the claim which you have made Allah the Moon God. How old was David when he met bathsheba? - Answers Bathsheba did not take a ritual bath when she was spied on. After Uriah had been killed in the siege of Rabbah (2 Samuel 11:17), Bathsheba mourned Uriah, but then David took Bathsheba into his house and made her his wife, and she gave birth (2 Samuel 11:2627). Bathsheba Who Were King David's Wives in the Bible - Names and Importance In this article, we have now seen blockbuster evidence of a beloved Biblical figure (~50-year old David) lusting after and marrying a young girl (~7-year old Bathsheba). Bullingers Companion Bible Notes,[17] Gary H. Everetts Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures,[18] George Haydocks Catholic Bible Commentary,[19] the Jamiesson-Fausset-Brown Commentary,[20] John Trapps Complete Commentary,[21] Ironsides Notes on Selected Books,[22] L.M. Bathsheba (/bib/ or /bb/; Hebrew: , Ba-ea, Bat-Sheva or Batsheva, "daughter of Sheba" or "daughter of the oath")[1] was the wife of Uriah the Hittite and later of David, according to the Hebrew Bible. For Davids close counselor and friend, Ahithophel, actually revolted against David when Absalom did. How old was King David when he died? - Bible Trivia Even if the psalm itself did not refer to Ahithophel, the verse could still be applied to him, as he was a bloody and deceitful man (from Davids perspective) whose life was violently cut short. In turn, to determine her age at the time of Solomons (David and Bathshebas second son) birth, we need to first determine Solomons age at the time of Ahithophels death. According to 2 Samuel 15:30, David was on the Mount of Olives when he found out about Ahithophel. After relating the parable of the rich man who took away the one little ewe lamb of his poor neighbor (2 Samuel 12:16), and exciting the king's anger against the unrighteous act, the prophet applied the case directly to David's action with regard to Bathsheba. 54, or of Davids being shut up in Keilah in the time of Saul (1 Sam. But now Adonijah has become king 1 Kings 1:17-19 NIV. Bible: Child Marriage in Ancient Israelite times Paedophilia? 34,) was one of Davids valiant men, [92] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bul/2-samuel-11.html#3, Eliam. [4] Sanhedrin 69b, https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11?lang=bi. After repeated efforts to convince Uriah to have sexual intercourse with Bathsheba failed, king David gave the order to his general, Joab, that Uriah should be placed on the front lines of the battle, where Uriah would be more likely to die. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. Davids action, as Brueggemann (1990:272) describes it, was a demonstration of human desire and human power.. This is where Psalm 55 comes in. One of Davids faithful soldiers (2 Samuel 23:39. Kristin De Troyer, "Looking at Bathsheba with Text-Critical Eyes," in Nra Dvid, Armin Lange, Kristin De Troyer and Shani Tzoref (eds), Mother Abiona or Amtelai the daughter of Karnebo. While puberty could occur at such an early age, it is unlikely. So after Uriah was incidentally killed in the war, David married his wife, but people could hardly accept this anomalous marriage (and subsequently legends were made about this marriage. Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.[77]. A minority of scholars questioned the application of the psalm to Ahithophel. If we read 2 Samuel 12, when Nathan the prophet came to David, he provided the parable of the rich man and the poor man as a way to trap David into confessing his sin. 8 Then David told Uriah, Go down to your house and wash your feet., Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. David was the first person to break this tradition. Though this is said to be a prayer of Moses, who probably lived some 250 years before the reign of David, it still finds corroboration in the time of David, since Barzillai was 80 years old at the time of Absaloms revolt, and David himself lived for 70 years. And the arabic word Makr is used meaning plan, not deceive. Improve this answer. (Now she had been purifying herself after her monthly period.) King David became king at the age of 30. It should also be borne in mind that David was a prophet, as stated in Acts 2:30: But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.. Who Was Bathsheba in the Bible King David and His Wives - David married many women in the The Targum is, but thou Ahithophel; of whom the words are literally to be understood, and so they are in the Talmud (u); and mystically and typically of Judas[30], Other commentaries, such as those of Matthew Poole,[31] John Phillips,[32] C. H. Spurgeon,[33] Chuck Smith,[34] E.W. It only criticizes the explanation of Ahithophels possible motive for helping Absalom (i.e., revenge for Davids sinful act with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah the Hittite). Bathsheba [76] Moreover, he did not live in the time of David but more than 100 years after him. Sometimes Bathsheba's maids or the "messengers" sent by David are shown, and often a distant David watching from his roof. [34] He is no longer able to control his family, and ends up being overthrown by Absalom. The Targum is, but thou Ahithophel; of whom the words are literally to be understood, and so they are in the Talmud (u); and mystically and typically of Judas. What About David and Bathshebas Marriage Web24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. Love and Marriage in the Bible Once David took the bait, Nathan pronounced Gods judgment: This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king over Israel Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? [67] Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the average lifespan at the time was around 7080 years (note that this is a very generous assumption). [16] Bathsheba acts as intercessor for her subjects, delivering their petitions to the King: "Pray ask King Solomonhe will not refuse youto give me Abishag the Shunammite as my wife". These include Adam Clarke,[56] Matthew Henry,[57] Joseph Caryl,[58] Henry Hammond,[59] and Griffith Williams. The name Eliam is only mentioned twice in the entire Bible, and both instances occur in 2 Samuel. In medieval typology, Bathsheba is recognized as the antetype foreshadowing the role of Ecclesia, the church personified, as David was the antetype for Jesus. Using Psalm 55:23, it would mean that Ahithophel could not have gone past the age of 45 years (note again that this is the conservative estimate). They will vociferously deny that Bathsheba was around 7 years old (or perhaps as old as 9) when she first encountered David and they will deny that she was the granddaughter of Ahithophel. But Uriah was unwilling to violate the ancient kingdom rule applying to warriors in active service. Using Psalm 55:23, it would mean that Ahithophel could not have gone past the age of 45 years (note again that this is the, Even if David slept with a 7-year old, that does not mean that God approved of it!, This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king over Israel Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing, Notice that the sin was in killing Uriah the Hittite. However, he did not further complicate or solidify his adultery by marrying her. There is no doubt that, initially, many will go into denial-overdrive. Its date and authorship must be left in the region of mere conjecture. As shown, David was declaring that those who had betrayed him and were trying to kill him will not live out half their days. Note that this estimate is higher than the age assigned to Ahithophel by the Jewish sages. a native of Giloh, was a privy councillor of David, whose wisdom was highly esteemed, though his name had an exactly opposite signification. David roused himself to action. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). He didnt go down to his own house. Satan is depicted as coming in the disguise of a bird. The son of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 23:34)., [93] https://www.studylight.org/commentary/2-samuel/11-3.html, Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam or Ammiel (1 Chronicles 3:5), one of Davids worthies (2 Samuel 23:34), and son of Ahithophel., [94] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/ckb/a/ahithophel.html, According to the Midrash, Ahithophel was Batshebas grandfather., [95] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/fbd/p/pelonite.html, [96] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hbd/p/pelonite.html, [97] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hdb/p/pelonite.html, [98] https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/mse/p/pelonite.html, [105] http://m.qtafsir.com/Surah-An-Nisa/Giving-Back-the-Property-of-th, Tagged as: 2 Samuel, Absalom, Age of consent, Ahithophel, Bathsheba, Bible, Child Marriage, David, Eliam, Psalm 55, par excellence. Part of the reason for some Christians denial about child marriage in the Bible is that the Bible does not mention any specific age at which marriage could occur. The couple had concluded the marriage contract when Aisha was only six but had waited to consummate the marriage until she reached physical maturity.[103]. [1] https://quranandbibleblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/10/the-age-of-marriage-in-the-bible/. Moreover, to manifest his claim to be the new king, Absalom had sexual intercourse in public with ten of his father's concubines, which could be considered a direct, tenfold divine retribution for David's taking the woman of another man in secret (2 Samuel 16:2023). Bathsheba is one of only five women listed in the ancestry of Jesus Christ ( Matthew 1:6 ). David had multiple wives already, and Bathsheba was married to Uriah Bathsheba was uncovered (bathing) within sight of the palace, and should have known The son of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 23:34). The Lord loved him; 25 and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah. David | Biography, Summary, Goliath, Bathsheba, Reign, [80] Some others do question the identification of Bathshebas father with Eliam the son of Ahithophel but do not provide concrete evidence. Strengths ], [21] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/2-samuel-11.html#3, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam?] My bad. The two apparently had no intentions of further complicating their sin by forming an adulterous marital union. [6] https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/smiths-bible-dictionary/ahithophel.html, [7] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/ats/a/ahithophel.html, Ahithophel seems to have been the grandfather of Bathsheba., [8] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/fbd/a/ahithophel.html, Ahithophel was the mainspring of the rebellion. Tomorrow Ill send you back. So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day. Share Improve this answer Follow answered Dec 7, 2018 at 11:17 Philip 1,245 1 10 22 Add a comment Your Answer The Woman Was Very Beautiful: The Shocking Truth About Bathshebas Marriage to David in the Bible, Originally posted on the Quran and Bible Blog, From the roof he saw a woman bathing. 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David. Both commentaries base their views on the supposition that the psalmist was still in Jerusalem at the time, whereas David found out about the Ahithophels involvement only after he had fled Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:31). He could have been as old as 11 years if we assume that the four years in 2 Samuel 15:7 refers to the time from Absaloms return from Geshur (2+3+2+4=11). David married the widowed Bathsheba, but their first child died as punishment from God for Davids adultery and murder of Uriah. [60] Wesleys Explanatory Notes also suggests this interpretation but is rather vague. Psychologist Dr. Robert Epstein has made the controversial suggestion that young people, regardless of how young, should be allowed to make decisions about marriage and sex provided that they demonstrate that he or she knows about the risks of sexis physically and emotionally mature, and so on, an arbitrary age cutoff necessarily allows incompetent people to gain rights and privileges they probably shouldnt have., The norm that the ulama did come to consensus on was only a general guideline: they prohibited sexual intercourse for girls not able to undergo it, on the basis that otherwise sex could be physically harmful. The Talmud states that Ahithophels age at the time of his death was a mere 33 years (since the sages considered 70 years to be the average lifespan). Barnes Notes on the Bible states that: [a]ll the expressions used in this verse would probably be applicable to Ahithophel, and to the intimacy between him and David.[29]. This directly contradicts the account in 2 Samuel 17. The report came back: Isnt this Eliams daughter Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 So David sent messengers to take her. WebFrom the roof he saw a woman bathing. It is not impossible that this Eliam is the same as the preceding., [88] https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/mse/e/eliam.html, The same name Eliam also occurs as that of a Gilonite, the son of Ahithophel, and one of Davids thirty warriors (2 Samuel 23:34). He desired her and later made her pregnant. David pleaded with God to spare his child, fasting and spending the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground (2 Samuel 12:1617), but after seven days the child died (2 Samuel 12:18). 11:3, and 2 Sam 23:34 mentions an Eliam, the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, one of David's "thirty". Third, if Ahijah is an alternate name for Eliam, it still does not refute the claim that Eliam was the son of Ahithophel and the father of Bathsheba, simply because the Chronicler does not provide any additional information. David then ordered that Uriah be moved to the front-line of a battle, where he was killed. Second, the Chronicler seemed to indicate that Ahithophel was still alive when David was old and nearing death! Considering she was old enough to be married yet still without children, Bathsheba was likely 16-19 years old in the story. Grants Commentary on the Bible,[23] Alexander McLarens Expositions of Holy Scripture,[24] R.A Torreys Treasury of Scripture Knowledge,[25] The Biblical Illustrator,[26] and The Pulpit Commentary.[27]. In verse 1, David, who was nearing death, described Solomon as young and inexperienced: Then King David said to the whole assembly: My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young [naar] and inexperienced [rak]., According to Gesenius Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, the Hebrew word naar can refer to a newborn child or a young man as old as twenty:[74], As for rak, it is usually translated as tender or weak, and is generally used for little children:[75]. They shall live as long as the Lord of life, the righteous Judge, has appointed, with whom the number of our months is; but he has determined to cut them off by an untimely death in the midst of their days., [58] https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/tod/ps055.cfm?a=533023, A wicked man never lives out half his days; for either he is cut off before he hath lived half the course of nature, or he is cut off before he hath lived a quarter of the course of his desires; either he lives not half so long as he would; and therefore let him die when he will, his death is full of terror, trouble, and confusion, because he dies out of season. However, I will add that seven years is noticeably young, even by the standards of the time. How[c] could I go home and eat, drink, and have sex with my wife? The Pulpit Commentary adds (emphasis ours): Of course, the statement is not intended for a universal law, and indeed was probably pointed especially at the bloody and deceitful men of whom the psalmist had been speaking. [74] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H5288&t=KJV, [75] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7390&t=KJV, [76] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfu/2-chronicles-24.html#15, [79] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_quoque. Just doing my small part, bro. He also gives 3 main reasons why it is not recommended to set a certain cutoff for basic rights, these being: This is more or less how medieval Islamic scholars dealt with the issue. Yet, this objection is based on some flawed premises: why is it assumed that Ahithophel needed to be older than David? David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-4) Introduction When my Grandmother Palmer was alive, she lived on a farm outside of Shelton, Washington. David Actually, God had no problem with it. Despite being wronged and mistreated by him, Bathsheba later became David's loyal wife and protective mother of King Solomon, the wisest ruler of Israel. Rather, my argument is that there was nothing Biblically wrong or immoral about Muhammads marriage to Aisha and that it was common practice in virtually all cultures for people to marry young (usually by the onset of puberty). And in 2 Samuel 13 the story of David's son Amnon's rape of his sister Tamar, told so soon after the incident of Bathsheba, seems to draw a parallel between the sexual misconduct of father and son. Some Bible dictionaries mention both Eliams without any additional information. Dr. J. Vernon McGee, in a commentary he gave on Thru the Bible Radio, also identified the betrayal by Ahithophel as the subject of the psalm,[48] and so does Eastons Bible Dictionary (among many others). Bathsheba's son, King Solomon, rises to greet her, bows down in veneration, and furnishes her a seat at his right hand. The plain reading of the text makes it unlikely. People were ready to take on the responsibilities of marriage and family by the time they reached puberty. 10 David was told, Uriah didnt go down to his own house, so David asked Uriah, Havent you just returned from a journey? Updates? (2Samuel 16:23) (B.C. 1 From the passage itself (2 Samuel 12:15b-23), once he was born the child immediately was struck with the sickness and died on the 7th day. WebIt is true that Davids affair with Bathsheba while her husband was at the battle front constituted adultery. David's punishment came to pass years later when one of David's much-loved sons, Absalom, led an insurrection that plunged the kingdom into civil war. In fact, Ahithophel is mentioned along with Hushai the Arkite in 1 Chronicles 27:33: Ahithophel was the kings counselor. And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made a means of sustenance for you, but provide for them with it and clothe them and speak to them words of appropriate kindness. The table below shows a summary of I have also 100% debunked the claim that Allah is Best Deceiver and I have provided historical facts and grammar facts for kharul Makereen and I have explained more and made it very clear. Bathsheba was a faithful wife to David. The Talmud seems to have underestimated his age at 7 years old. (2Samuel 16:23), So, if Ahithophel was less than 40 years of age at the time of his death (let us conservatively assume he was. Thus, they were following the Jewish customs of the time, which included marriage at around 12 years of age for girls. A Mosque in the area of Medina, possibly: This page was last edited on 31 March 2023, at 21:50. Follow In an effort to conceal his sin, David summoned Uriah from the army (with whom he was on campaign) in the hope that Uriah would have sex with her and think that the child belonged to him. Son of Ahithophrl and father of Bathsheba (https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/fbd/e/eliam.html). [63] Finally, he returned to Giloh and hanged himself after Absalom failed to take his advice. Uriah. We can see from the example of Barzillai that people could have lived into their 80s at that time, but this seems to have been the upper limit. Nathan also came before the king. "[4] According to Michael D. Coogan, the faulting of David is made clear in the text from the very beginning: "It was springtime, the time when kings go forth to war but David remained in Jerusalem" (2 Samuel 11:1); if David had been away at war, the incident would not have taken place. The success of Absalom would probably have been fatal to Bath-sheba; it would certainly have barred Solomon, Ahithophels great-grandson, from the throne. This elite group also included Uriah the Hittite (v. 39). Since Bathsheba could not have been older than 20 at the time (since Ahithophel was 39 years old and Eliam was probably in his late 20s), which means that at the time of Solomons birth, she was between 911 years old, with 11 being the conservative estimate based on the conservative estimate for Solomons age (9 years). God Redeemed Bathshebas Pain. Budde later connected it with the Jahwist document of the Hexateuch. It is even in Sahih International. Brother can you refute this also. The reason for this was: [f]or the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.. Both words signify my people is Gods. This son of Achitophel (chap. However, this does not appear to be a reasonable assumption. And test the orphans [in their abilities] until they reach marriageable age. [2] Of course, in the previous article, I showed evidence from within the Bible. He confirmed Bathshebas words. xxiii. with 2 Samuel 23:34)., [14] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/2-samuel-11.html#3, Bath-sheba was the granddaughter of Ahithophel 2 Samuel 23:34., [15] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/2-samuel-12.html#1, He had no pity for the beautiful young Bathsheba whom he ordered to his bed. Hebraicae, in loco), the father of Bath-sheba. A hadith quoted in Tafsir al-Kabir and Majma' al-Bayan expresses that Ali ibn Abi Talib said: "Whoever says that David, has married Uriah's wife as the legends are narrate, I will punish him twice: one for qazf (falsely accusing someone of adultery) and the other for desecrating the prophethood (defamation of prophet David)". She returned to her own home (2 Samuel 11:4). This illustrates that Ahithophel was probably a young man (Source: https://bibleatlas.org/giloh.htm). [86] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hbd/a/ahithophel.html, [Ahithophel] may have been the grandfather of Bathsheba, Davids partner in sin and wife, [87] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hdb/e/eliam.html, 1. Other commentaries, such as those of Matthew Poole. [78] Finally, in Acts 13:22, God is quoted as testifying about David as a man after my own heart. Furthermore, God approved of David remaining married to Bathsheba, which resulted in the birth of Solomon, whom God loved. Because, I have proven that Allah is not moon god and I have proven also that that khayrul makereen is not something bad but something good and praiseworthy. Could you also so a video refuting Islam Critiqued on the age of Mary.