Some men are pigs and oppressors, and are to one wife and would be to many wives and concubines. Others are kind and sweet, and would be to many as well as to one. Now if *I* had a harem... {/runs away}

Was there anything in David's previous behavior that would have made Bathsheba think David would do what he did? Did he ever do that sort of thing again?

Was Bathsheba the kind of person who would have any plans like those, which would include the killing of her husband? David and Bathsheba could both legally have been stoned to death.

There is nothing to indicate that she protested or refused him what he wanted is there? Did he force her in any way?

mel

Bathsheba was between a rock and a hard place-- on the one hand, refusing a king's request in those days could be punished with death, and on the other, she knew she would be committing adultery if she submitted to it. And the fact that she did not cry out in protest against David meant that she qualified for punishment by stoning, according to the law of Moses. Uriah was well known for his faithfulness to the king and for his bravery. He might have taken revenge against the king by taking his life or by exciting the nation to revolt against David.

I don't find anything in David's life or background up to that point that would have made his behavior with Bathsheba predictable. On the contrary, it is written of him that David "executed judgment and justice unto all the people" (2 Samuel 8: 15). Nor do we know anything about Bathsheba's character to make us think she took her bath on the roof-top with the plan of causing the king to do what he did. The Bible says that what David did displeased the Lord. David alone was evidently completely responsible for his sin.

I stay by my assessment of the situation. I think yours lacks credibility but enough said. You have your opinion and I have mine.

mel

In any case, after his encounter with Bathsheba you don't hear anything about any of the other wives.

What made her different enough to gain status of a wife and not concubine (to stay on topic)

Probably the fact that her son was chosen to be the next king would have made her number one wife and the record seems to indicate that she wielded some power.

mel

Prophecy and Abba's workings. It was through the line of Solomon the Messiah came.

Be realistic:

I will suggest that some of the wives were just for show.

1,000 women, 1,000 nights?

Wow that IS a delayed reaction Gregory! Did you just wake up :-)

Yes if you would allow a two week "honeymoon" for each of the thousand it would have been one long honeymoon all his years as king. Much more likely the numbers are skewed.

mel