Men of Renown – Part xliv – Bathsheba –

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Men of Renown

Part xliv

(XLIV) (44)

The Sitting Women

Mystery, Babylon the Great

The Woman

CONTINUES in the Third and Last Woman

in the book of the Revelation

There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. (Genesis 6:4) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5)

This series called Men of Renown will begin with these verses in Chapter 6 of the book of Genesis because it is the perfect scene setter for whatever and whoever follows that enables men of renown to act in conflict against God and His Word. Verses 4 and 5 are an accurate definition of men of renown.

The game plan is to cover all SIX mentions of a woman, and the woman in Revelation Chapter 17 of Revelation.

1. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:3)

2. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: (Revelation 17:4)

3. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (Revelation 17:6)

4. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:7)

5. And here [is] the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. (Revelation 17:9)

6. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:18)

5. And here [is] the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. (Revelation 17:9) 6. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:18)

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A Summary of the Purpose and Journey

of Why we are Studying a Sitting Woman

If you are new to this series called Men of Renown, you have missed A LOT. Do not become confused with the title called Men of Renown and why we are now discussing women. It makes sense to me! See . . . I told you that you missed A LOT. The following is a summary (a very brief summary) of the first mention of a sitting woman to our current article on a woman sitting. Each time that a sitting woman is seen in scripture there is a message, a lesson, and instruction regarding spiritual failure or victory, and following the woman sitting is a journey from individual iniquity to national iniquity, and beyond. We will eventually (God willing) culminate with Revelation Chapter 17, verse 9, with the woman sitteth.

1 The first attack on the nation of Israel BEFORE it became a nation was through Hagar and Ishmael: they created a division or question regarding Heirship. In Hagar, the woman sitting represents the beginning of ALL evil that will come against Israel, and where the hatred against Israel germinated: Ishmael.

2 The second attack on the nation of Israel BEFORE it became a nation was through Rachel: this established idolatry into the line of the promise; thus, corrupting the line of Heirship. Rachel sitting on the idols spiritually depicts that the root and source of all forms of idolatry flows from within mankind. The second mention of a woman sitting definitely deals with uncleanness, and this is the connection to the great whore of Babylon, as she sits comfortably on the uncleanness of idolatry over the entire globe.

3 Tamar, the third woman sitting, represents the historical dual role of Babylon as the lady of kingdoms, and as the glory of kingdoms. As Tamar covered her action of righteous indignation with robes of prostitution, Babylon covers herself with garments of false righteousness to veil her true whoredoms. Through Tamar, the open field exposes how sexual corruption spreads and takes over the world, the things of God and the people of God.

4 Samson’s mother was the fourth woman sitting is nameless. Judges Chapter 13 is a Chapter of warning, assurance, prophecy and revelation. Sitting in a corrupt world, surrounded by enemies, this nameless and barren woman (who typified Israel) was given hope through a son and a sacrifice. It was through the promised Son and His sacrifice that Israel would overcome her enemies. In the midst of their enslavement in their own land God provided salvation and temporary recovery.

5 Ruth is the next woman found sitting. She represents the Gentile Bride gathered into the Inheritance of everlasting life by the True Redeemer, the True Boaz. The Holy Spirit of God draws the Bride of Christ into the threads of the Old Testament using a bride in the person of Ruth from the land of the enemies of Israel into the inheritance of Israel.

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Bathsheba

Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand. (1st Kings 2:19)

Bathsheba is probably one of the most known Bible personalities probably second to Jezebel. Bathsheba means ‘daughter of the oath.‘ Her name is mentioned eleven (11) times in the Old Testament; however, in the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ in the book of Matthew the Holy Spirit of God deliberately refused to record her name, but instead He chose to honor her first husband, a Gentile warrior of the Hittite nation ten (10) times called Uriah the Hittite .

And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; (Matthew 1:6) In the genealogy of the Lord Jesus, the Spirit of God had no trouble with the name of Thamar (Tamar) who acted in the role of a prostitute and became pregnant by Judah her father-in-law (Matthew 1:3), nor did the Holy Spirit leave out Ruth (a Moabite woman) in Matthew 1:5, and yet, He refused to write the name of Bathsheba.

Uriah the Hittite wasn’t just an average warrior, he was noted for being one among the valiant men of David’s army. (1st Chronicles 11:26, 41). Not only was Uriah valiant, but he was honorable and faithful to his commander-in-chief David. There were many warriors in David’s army that were not of Israel, but they had joined themselves to David and to Israel and therefore, they, as Ruth, chose to follow and to serve Jehovah God. Let’s attempt to stay focused on the woman sitting, Bathsheba.

Whenever a personality in scripture has two names, it signals to the reader to look closely at the meanings and the contrasts between the two names. God changed the names of Abram (father of the lofty, father is exalted) to Abraham (father of a great multitude), Sarai (My Princesses) became Sarah (A Princess), and Saul (asked for, requested) became Paul (little), and when God designated ANOTHER name that was a HUGE DEAL. The NEW name signified NEW birth; however, many biblical personalities did not receive a NEW name, but they were given an additional name, and THAT also was a HUGE DEAL.

Bathsheba had two names. Bathsheba ‘daughter of the oath,’ and Bathshua ‘daughter of crying,’ and roots of ‘daughter of opulence’ or ‘daughter of prosperity.’ (1st Chronicles 3:5) These two names exposed different phases that Bathsheba experienced throughout her lifetime. Since genealogy is important in scripture, Bathsheba’s genealogy opens more windows into this woman of renown and the period of time that she lived in.

Her father was Eliam, And David sent and enquired after the woman. And [one] said, [Is] not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? (2nd Samuel 11:3) The Holy Spirit of God ADDS another name to Bathsheba’s father: Eliam and Ammiel. And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel: (1st Chronicles 3:5) Notice the small detail and connection: Bathsheba and Eliam, Bathshua and Ammiel. Why and what does this small connection mean? It means that this was NOT a small detail. As the father’s character changed, so also did the daughter’s character change. Yes, their times changed, their circumstances changed, and their positions changed. But the true spiritually strong person does not change because the times change, nor when their circumstances change or even when their positions change. The spiritually strong-based person of faith may be affected, but once saved, always saved . . . once a child of God, always a child of God . . . once born anew ALWAYS born anew. A born-again child of God may lose their focus, but they can never lose their faith, the Spirit of God may become grieved, but He will never leave. The born again may become stagnant and dull of hearing, but the Spirit of God will continue to prod, prick and stir from faith to MORE FAITH. The only change within the character of a person of faith should be MORE FAITH. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)

There is a tremendous doctrinal error of ‘falling away from faith,’ that leads to believing that ‘fallen from grace’ is the same thing as ‘fallen from faith.’ I heard someone say, ‘I used to be a Christian, but I’m not a Christian now.’ They were NEVER a Christian. They never knew what it was to be a Christian. Once the Spirit of Christ dwells within, He will never cease to dwell within. So, now where are we in this article? Oh, . . . “As the father’s character changed, so also did the daughter’s character change.” Let’s return to Bathsheba and Eliam, Bathshua and Ammiel.

Eliam means ‘God of the people,’ and Ammiel means ‘my people are of God.’ There is a tremendous difference between these two names, as God the Holy Spirit discloses a difference in the man through time. As individual’s age they also change, and this change is clearly seen in both Bathsheba to Bathshua and her father from Eliam to Ammiel. In Eliam his heart was first focused on God, ‘God of the people.‘ Through the name of Ammiel his heart became focused on himself and on his pride of his heritage, ‘my people are of God.‘ God the Holy Spirit has many ways to reveal the pride of life in an individual, and it is obvious in the two names of Eliam and Ammiel. We have the same form of revelation in the names of Bathsheba to Bathshua, from ‘daughter of the oath,’ to ‘daughter of crying’ to ‘daughter of opulence’ and ‘daughter of prosperity.’ Although both father and daughter (through their names) had serious issues with the pride of life, the Holy Spirit through a primitive root meaning of Bathshua acknowledges that she shed many tears. She had committed adultery with the king, her husband Uriah had died in battle, and her child through adultery died as a babe, she had lived through a civil war, she shared her position and her husband with other wives (now that will lead to tears), she and her husband (David) lived in constant emotional strain, and through it all this ‘daughter of the oath‘ became a ‘daughter of crying.‘

Let us examine ‘daughter of the oath.‘ Why was she named ‘daughter of the oath’? Bathsheba was named ‘daughter of the oath’ by her father Eliam (‘God of the people‘) because his heart was centered and focused on only God and His covenant to His people Israel. The oath, that great moment in eons past when the God of creation made a covenant with Abram. It is beyond our comprehension how our Creator God would even consider drawing up a covenant and an oath with one of His creatures. There is so much that we, as also the angels, will never be able to fully understand concerning the mind and heart of God regarding this phrase, What is man?

Side Note: The phrase What is man? is recorded SIX (6) times in scripture. Again, I remind you that the number six is the number of man.

1 What [is] man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? (Job 7:17)

2 What [is] man, that he should be clean? and [he which is] born of a woman, that he should be righteous? (Job 15:14)

3 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? (Psalm 8:4)

4 LORD, what [is] man, that thou takest knowledge of him! [or] the son of man, that thou makest account of him! (Psalm 114:3)

5 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what [is] man the better? (Ecclesiastes 6:11)

6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? (Hebrews 2:6) ◆ End of Side Note, What is man?

Back to the oath and ‘daughter of the oath.’ We do not know the age of Bathsheba when she first appeared in scripture, nor is her age ever mentioned . . . there was only one woman in scripture who the Holy Spirit placed an age to and that was Sarah. Taking that into consideration, Bathsheba was probably born around the time frame that David was in the court of Saul and noticeable destined to become the next king of Israel. Why this time frame? Eliam named his daughter after the oath probably because the fulfillment of that oath of God with Abram was most likely in the thoughts of the people, that the people believed that they were on the cusp of receiving their complete lot of inheritance through their famous warrior and slayer of their archenemy Goliath. David had become a successful young warrior against their enemies, the Philistines and the Moabites, and he was most probably on the lips of every Israelite. [Is] not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul slew his thousands, and David his ten thousands? (1st Samuel 29:5) Songs were sung about his exploits, and probably the dreams and thoughts of many young maidens centered around this young handsome hero. Consequently, the oath of God with Abraham was also probably the main conversation around the office water cooler.

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: (Genesis 15:18)

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He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. (Psalm 105:8) Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; (Psalm 105:9) And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: (Psalm 105:10) Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: (Psalm 105:11)

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The Importance of the Genealogy of Bathsheba

The character study of Bathsheba discloses the complexity of the age of David’s reign as king over a nation in its formative foundational years and through civil strife and political intrigue in court conspiracies and military plots involving generals and family power struggles. But . . . what’s new in our current age? Conspirators claim there is no such thing as conspiracy, military leaders claim that their sole purpose is to peacefully build nations do not destroy nations. Politically powerful dynastic families claim that their extreme wealth was achieved by their own genius and that their fortune was honestly earned, not stolen. Times change, but the insatiable desire of greedy men never changes. As it is today politically, militarily and financially . . . it was also in the age king of David.

Bathsheba’s family were men of renown. Eliam was the father of Bathsheba (2nd Samuel 11:3), and Ahithophel was her grandfather (2nd Samuel 23:34). There is nothing as deceptive as court politics. The deceptive inner court treachery that surrounded the 45th President of the United States will probably one day be seen as the greatest conspiracy among conspiracies, deeper and wider than Caesar’s Senate conspiracy because many nations were involved. I am deliberately repeating the word conspiracy because there are still many individuals who cannot accept the reality of the immense depth of the network that was involved with the hourly attacks against President Trump. This WAS and IS a global conspiracy vastly beyond man’s comprehension.

Since David was first anointed by God’s prophet to become king of Israel, he naturally became a target. The enemy rarely attacks from one point only. David faced rebellion not only from his son Absalom, but from David’s trusted friends, companions and counselors. And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion: (1st Chronicles 27:33) The meaning of the name of Ahithophel is truly ironic, not coincidental. Here is a counselor to a king in a court of military men and intellectuals, yet his name means ‘brother of folly‘ and/or ‘foolishness.‘ This is proof that God has a sense of humor. Verse 23, in Chapter 16 of the book of 2nd Samuel brings God’s thoughts behind the meaning of the name of Ahithophel and man’s lack of discernment. And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, [was] as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so [was] all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. Bathsheba’s grandfather was one of several counselors to David, consequently, that would make Bathsheba a young woman with some influence. Court politics relies heavily on family connections. Again family connections has cut deep evil channels in the workings and manipulations of the United States government. Why do you think that many woman in high positions in our government and in ‘news propaganda companies’ use their maiden names. It is because if you knew who they were married to you then the slimy tentacles would then reveal how entangled this government ball of snakes has become.

Bathsheba was NOT part of the conspiracy against David, but her closeness to one of the conspirators discloses how closely evil comes and sits done besides you, and you know it not. The wisest man who ever lived on this planet was king Solomon, the grandson of ‘brother of folly‘ and/or ‘foolishness.’ Although Solomon was wise, wisdom became his folly.

And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. (2nd Samuel 15:12) Bathsheba during this time of conspiracy was married to David. Scripture does not indicate that she knew of a conspiracy, but she most probably was aware of David’s children by other wives working to acquire the crown. But, back to scripture and the conspiracy.

And [one] told David, saying, Ahithophel [is] among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. (2nd Samuel 15:31) David plays on the name of Ahithophel . . . O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

The Bible is a resource library without boundaries. Numbers have meaning, names have meaning, and placement has meaning. Solomon (through the book of Ecclesiastes) also used his great grandfather’s name as folly and foolishness and took it to another level, the level of madness.

I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason [of things], and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness [and] madness: (Ecclesiastes 7:25)

The beginning of the words of his mouth [is] foolishness: and the end of his talk [is] mischievous madness. (Ecclesiastes 10:13)

Why did Solomon connect folly and foolishness with the end result being madness? When Ahithophel joined with Absalom in this conspiracy against king David, Ahithophel arrogantly thought that he was an oracle of God, the voice of God, and the mind of God. However, when anyone reaches the pinnacle of man’s realm there is only one direction that he can travel and that is downward. Sooner or later the rungs on the ladder of pride ends. And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. (2nd Samuel 17:23) Ahithophel’s pride in his wisdom led him to commit suicide, and that was madness. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. (1st Corinthians 3:19)

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The Spiritual and Tangible Conflict over Heirship

Scripture never records Bathsheba, ‘the daughter of the oath’ as ‘queen mother’ as later the mother of king Asa was described as the mother queen. (1st Kings 15:13; 2nd Chronicles 15:16) In fact, there was only one queen who reigned over Jerusalem, and that was Athaliah, Jezebel’s daughter. But that is another story.

Bathsheba may not have been noted as ‘queen mother’ during the reign of Solomon, but she obviously had a measure of influence in the court of Solomon. Read the following references to understand why she went to Solomon on behalf of Adonijah, Solomon’s half-brother: son of David by a different mother. Genealogy is important.

The sons of David were documented according to the place of their births, whether they were born in Hebron or in Jerusalem, who their mothers were AND their place in birth order. God the Holy Spirit used numbers for many reasons, and it is up to the children of faith to comprehend the language of numbers. These six were born unto him in Hebron; and there he reigned seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years. (1st Chronicles 3:4)

Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess: (2nd Samuel 3:1)

And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; (2nd Samuel 3:2)

And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; (2nd Samuel 3:4)

And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; (2nd Samuel 3:4)

And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron. (2nd Samuel 3:5)

Those born in Hebron were:

1 Amnon; 2 Daniel/Chileab; 3 Absalom; 4 Adonijah; 5 Shephatiah; 6 Ithream.

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And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David. (2nd Samuel 5:13)

And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel: (1st Chronicles 3:5)

Ibhar also, and Elishama, and Eliphelet, (1st Chronicles 3:6)

And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia, (1st Chronicles 3:7)

And Elishama, and Eliada (Beeliada, (1st Chronicles 14:7), and Eliphelet, nine. (1st Chronicles 3:8)

These were all the sons of David, beside the sons of the concubines, and Tamar their sister. (1st Chronicles 3:9)

Those born in Jerusalem were:

7 Shimea; 8 Shobab; 9 Nathan; 10 Solomon, 11 Ibhar, 12 Elishama; 13 Eliphelet; 14 Nogah; 15 Nepheg; 16 Japhia, 17 Elishama; 18 Eliada, 19 Eliphelet.

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Note that the order of documentation most probably was not the actual order of birth for a reason. The Spirit of God placed the names of the four sons of David and Bathshua (‘daughter of opulence‘ and ‘daughter of prosperity’) in a certain order. WHY? In this order, Solomon is placed as the 10th son. (God’s perfect order) yet he was also the 7th son born. (The number seven is God’s spiritual perfection.) Although Solomon was an imperfect type of Christ, nevertheless, Solomon represented the future millennial reign of the PERFECTION of Christ in His perfect order and in His spiritual perfection, thus, the numbers of 10 and 7 were the unseen numbers attached to the BIRTH of Solomon. The following references reveal much about the birth of Solomon BEFORE his birth.

And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: (1st Chronicles 22:7)

But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. (1st Chronicles 22:8)

Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. (1st Chronicles 22:9)

He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever. (1st Chronicles 22:10)

Solomon was selected by God before his birth to be His chosen heir over His chosen nation. As Heirship in God’s heavenly realm was challenged by Lucifer, so also the earthly heirship of God’s chosen heir (Solomon) was also challenged by Solomon’s brothers. It has always been about HEIRSHIP. Remember this as you read Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand. (1st Kings 2:19) It was about HEIRSHIP.

The following references discloses the confrontation between the prophet Nathan and king David concerning the death of David’s 7th son. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. (2nd Samuel 12:9)

Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. (2nd Samuel 12:10)

Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. (2nd Samuel 12:11)

For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. (2nd Samuel 12:12)

And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. (2nd Samuel 12:13)

Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. (2nd Samuel 12:14)

In this scripture section of 2nd Samuel, the name of this child who died was not mentioned, but the seventh child documented in 1st Chronicles 3:5 is Shimea. The name of Shimea means ‘a report,’ ‘a rumor,’ yet through these primitive roots there is an element of weakness. David probably named this 7th son after his brother Shimea/Shimeah . . . maybe as a memorial to his brother. (2nd Samuel 21:21; 1st Chronicles 20:7) IMHO I believe that Shimea/Shimeah the seventh son noted in 1st Chronicles 3:5 died and was replaced by the birth of Solomon.

But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. (2nd Samuel 12:23)

And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him. (2nd Samuel 12:24) The seventh son born to David and Bathsheba HAD to die so that Solomon would be the actual SEVENTH SON of David. (Seven, the number of spiritual perfection.) Weep not for the child who was conceived through adultery and who was the evidence of murder for that babe was ushered into the loving and righteous presence of his Creator God. David KNEW that he would one day go to him.

Did you notice anything strange between those born in Hebron and those born in Jerusalem? There were six sons born in Hebron and all were from NAMED women, but only Bathsheba was NAMED from Jerusalem, who had four sons born in Jerusalem. The other women from Jerusalem were NOT mentioned by name. The sons born in Jerusalem totaled thirteen (13) sons. Notice the message in the numbers. The prophecy of Nathan to king David shattered David’s world . . . Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; (2nd Samuel 12:10) . . . Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, (2ND Samuel 12:11) And thus . . . the sword struck, and evil revealed its face in David’s own house.

The one daughter mentioned (Tamar) was the sister of Absalom from their mother Maacah. Amnon, David’s first son by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess raped his half-sister Tamar, Absalom’s sister, and that was only the beginning of David’s nightmare. Family turmoil boiled over and engulfed a nation . . . And the sword and the evil that began in David’s own house came through the sons of David’s many wives.

Multiple wives mean multiple children and multiple competitors for HEIRSHIP. When God made the species of man, it was ONE man and ONE woman, not ONE man and TWO or THREE women. Do you know why many tyrants had separate houses for their wives and children? Come on, guess! This raises other issues. Why did God allow many wives? Why did God allow slavery? The New Testament through Chapter 7, verse 7 of the book of Romans answers ALL of man’s questions regarding the WHY’S. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. (Romans 7:7) The questions should be, Why do men desire many wives? Why do men desire to rule over others and to make other slaves? Sometimes, we do not get the answers to our questions because we ask the wrong questions? This is one of the many ways that mankind avoids the word SIN and his responsibility in his sin. Mankind HATES having to take responsibility; therefore, man asks the wrong questions diverting attention from himself to God. Instead of asking, Why did God? man should ask, Why did man?

In the fifth book of Moses, Deuteronomy, Chapter 17, beginning with verse 14 through verse 21, God prophetically described Israel and the kings of Israel.

When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; (Deuteronomy 17:14)

Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. (Deuteronomy 17:15)

But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. (Deuteronomy 17:16)

Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. (Deuteronomy 17:17)

How many times does God have to say, SHALL NOT . . . DO NOT . . . NEITHER SHALL? Why did God? I heard this question so many times that screaming the answer out would only become a comedy routine of ‘Who’s on first?’ and ‘Why’s on second.’ Why did God allow David to have many wives and why did God allow good men to sin? HERE IS THE ANSWER . . .

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10)

They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalm 14:3)

Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalm 53:3)

If God stepped in and stopped every sinful act then how would mankind understand, For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23) See the ridiculous thought process of disputers who say that God should act so that man would not have free will to sin; thus, making man robots. These same individuals who say that God should act also utter that God should not act because man is not robotic and man has free will to sin, so it’s all God fault whether God acts or He doesn’t act. Think that one through!

Thirteen NAMED sons was definitely a rebellion waiting to happen. The first-born son, Amnon, raped his sister Tamar, and the third son (Absalom) had Amnon murdered. Then Absalom led a civil war against his father David, and Adonijah the fourth son and eldest son after the death of Absalom decided that he had the right of heirship. Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. (1st Kings 1:5)

Side Note: The second son of David by Abigail the Carmelitess was called by two names: Daniel ‘Judge of God, ‘and/or ‘my judge is God.‘ and Chileab ‘Exaltation,’ ‘sustained of father.‘ According to scripture, he was never mentioned as rebellious and never attempted to become ruler over Israel. This was most probably because of his mother Abigail. Scripture documents that Abigail was, a woman of good understanding, (1st Samuel 25:3) and in 1st Samuel 25:33, David knew the value of her advice, blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou. Thus, her son was a product of his mother’s wisdom and understanding. Abigail’s son, David’s second son was never a threat to the other heirs of David. ◆ End of Side Note.

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Bathsheba’s Great Folly

She Unknowingly Endorsed the Overthrow of Her Own Son

Through this royal court scene, we see ‘honor thy father and mother,’ . . . And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and we see the role and position of a sovereign ruler over his subjects, for even family members who are honored are still subjects to a sovereign, and sat down on his throne. (Mary, the mother Jesus, was subject to her Sovereign, the God of Glory, the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.) The woman who gave Solomon birth was NOT worthy of a royal seat, nor was she his equal. As a mother she deserved honor, but she had no claim other than what he alone gave to her. Also notice that there was NO SEAT on Solomon’s right hand BEFORE he caused a seat to be set for the king’s mother. There was NO SEAT because Solomon did not require a counselor, nor an advisor and because there was NO ONE OF HIS EQUAL to sit beside him. This seat was only meant to be a temporary seat JUST for this particular appearance of the king’s mother. Motherhood does not imply ownership neither does it infer possession. That last sentence may come as a hard fact for many mothers and fathers because children are not an extension of their parents, but a child is a separate independent branch from two roots. One of the many responsibilities of a parent is to form an independent individual able to grow on its own decisions and merits. This is a physical truth and a spiritual truth.

Years before this royal court scene in 2nd Kings 2:19, Nathan the prophet advised Bathsheba to act in order to preserve her life and the life of her son Solomon because unknown to her a coup was being prepared against her, and Solomon, and David, and Nathan the prophet, and against Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. All these faithful people to David would have been murdered by Adonijah when David died.

Wherefore Nathan spake unto Bathsheba the mother of Solomon, saying, Hast thou not heard that Adonijah the son of Haggith doth reign, and David our lord knoweth [it] not? (1st Kings 1:11)

Now therefore come, let me, I pray thee, give thee counsel, that thou mayest save thine own life, and the life of thy son Solomon. (1st Kings 1:12)

Go and get thee in unto king David, and say unto him, Didst not thou, my lord, O king, swear unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? why then doth Adonijah reign? (1st Kings 1:13)

Behold, while thou yet talkest there with the king, I also will come in after thee, and confirm thy words. (1st Kings 1:14)

And Bathsheba went in unto the king into the chamber: and the king was very old; and Abishag the Shunammite ministered unto the king. (1st Kings 1:15)

And Bathsheba bowed, and did obeisance unto the king. And the king said, What wouldest thou? (1st Kings 1:16)

And she said unto him, My lord, thou swarest by the LORD thy God unto thine handmaid, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne. (1st Kings 1:17)

And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and now, my lord the king, thou knowest it not: (1st Kings 1:18)

And he hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the sons of the king, and Abiathar the priest, and Joab the captain of the host: but Solomon thy servant hath he not called. (1st Kings 1:19)

And thou, my lord, O king, the eyes of all Israel are upon thee, that thou shouldest tell them who shall sit on the throne of my lord the king after him. (1st Kings 1:20)

Otherwise it shall come to pass, when my lord the king shall sleep with his fathers, that I and my son Solomon shall be counted offenders. (1st Kings 1:21)

And, lo, while she yet talked with the king, Nathan the prophet also came in. (1st Kings 1:22)

And they told the king, saying, Behold Nathan the prophet. And when he was come in before the king, he bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground. (1st Kings 1:23)

And Nathan said, My lord, O king, hast thou said, Adonijah shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne? (1st Kings 1:24)

For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fat cattle and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king’s sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they eat and drink before him, and say, God save king Adonijah. (1st Kings 1:25)

But me, even me thy servant, and Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and thy servant Solomon, hath he not called. (1st Kings 1:26)

Is this thing done by my lord the king, and thou hast not shewed it unto thy servant, who should sit on the throne of my lord the king after him? (1st Kings 1:27)

Then king David answered and said, Call me Bathsheba. And she came into the king’s presence, and stood before the king. (1st Kings 1:28)

And the king sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, (1st Kings 1:29)

Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day. (1st Kings 1:30)

Then Bathsheba bowed with her face to the earth, and did reverence to the king, and said, Let my lord king David live for ever. (1st Kings 1:31)

Nathan’s advice to Bathsheba saved her life and the life of Solomon. BUT Bathsheba forgot this. Then David died.

And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. (1st Kings 2:11)

Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly. (1st Kings 2:12)

And Adonijah the son of Haggith came to Bathsheba the mother of Solomon. And she said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably. (1st Kings 2:13)

He said moreover, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And she said, Say on. (1st Kings 2:14)

And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother’s: for it was his from the LORD. (1st Kings 2:15)

Can you believe the audacity of this fourth son of David, Adonijah the son of Haggith. He was correctly labeled the fourth son, for he could be considered the public image of the brashness and gall of a sinful unashamed world. (Four is the Earth number.) Adonijah was NEVER going to let go of his arrogance that I should reign. Do not dismiss the meaning of the name of Adonijah . . . . ‘My lord is jah,’ ‘Jehovah is my lord.‘ His mother’s name means ‘festivity,’ ‘festive.’ The meaning of both names reveals one of the many methods that Lucifer/Satan uses to confuse and dull the spiritual senses of his victims. How Israel fell is practically the same way that the Church fell and became a professing Church not a possessing Church. Just because someone makes a profession of faith does not mean that they possess faith. Just because someone can say, ‘Jesus, Jesus,’ means nothing. Just because someone assumes the role of the priesthood means nothing. Just because someone wraps himself in the clothing of religion and righteousness means nothing. AND to add to the deception of godliness and harmlessness they add ‘festivity,‘ an outward form of joy and liveliness. The broader the smile the deeper the deception. Adonijah in his very name of Adonijah . . . Adonai (Master and/or Lord) and JAH . . . exposed the character of this fourth son. He thought that he was of God and meant to be a god to rule over those beneath his station of perfection. This is man’s character, therefore, being the fourth son born, was absolutely right on.

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. (Psalm 68:4)

This was Bathsheba’s great folly. She REFUSED to see the hidden heart within this challenger for her son’s throne. Now, listen carefully to the method that Adonijah employed to sooth her senses. When she did not rebuke him for his statement of, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign, he proceeded to use the romance tactic. Hah, women love the idea of romantic love.

And now I ask one petition of thee, deny me not. And she said unto him, Say on. (1st King 2:16) And he said, Speak, I pray thee, unto Solomon the king, (for he will not say thee nay,) that he give me Abishag the Shunammite to wife. (1st King 2:17) And Bathsheba said, Well; I will speak for thee unto the king. (1st King 2:18) Bathsheba therefore went unto king Solomon, to speak unto him for Adonijah. And the king rose up to meet her, and bowed himself unto her, and sat down on his throne, and caused a seat to be set for the king’s mother; and she sat on his right hand. (1st King 2:19)

The distraction tactic worked. She never questioned his motive. She believed this proven liar. She failed to see the threat to her son. Bathsheba and Eve were sisters blinded by their spiritual ignorance. Eve never questioned the serpent’s motive. Eve believed the serpent’s lie rather than God’s words of truth, and Eve failed to see the threat to her husband and to her . . . the threat was ‘obey and live or disobey and die.’

The first natural instinct of any mother is the instinct of protection. Why have women willingly surrendered this natural instinct to those who claim to be experts in childcare? There are many reasons . . . they love themselves more than they love their offspring . . . they love themselves more than they love their offspring . . . they love themselves more than they love their offspring.

Why did Bathsheba fail to protect her son? This simply statement may have sealed the deal . . . (for he will not say thee nay,). In other words, ‘you have power,’ ‘you have GREAT influence with power, and ‘you are somebody important.’ Adonijah could have asked to personally present his request directly to Solomon except Adonijah would have been required to bow to Solomon, and this he could not do. He could NOT bow. Also, Adonijah knew that Solomon would have seen through his request and his true motive. Solomon, unlike Bathsheba, would have not taken the words of Adonijah at face value. But a woman like Bathshua, ‘the daughter of opulence and prosperity‘ could probably be manipulated by the charm of love and romance.

And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah. (1st Kings 2:22)

Solomon saw the true motive of Adonijah’s request. That day Adonijah was killed, Abiathar the priest was removed from his office of priesthood, and Joab also was killed. Although THIS conspiracy against king Solomon had ended, there would be more conspiracies and more conspirators because the GREATER CONFLICT will never stop and will never end UNTIL God cuts off the head of the snake: Lucifer/Satan. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)

◆

Bathsheba’s Great Failure

was also Israel’s Great Failure

and the Great Failure of the Church

Bathsheba’s first great failure began with adultery. She had left her first love, Uriah the Hittite. Unlike Abigail who reminded David that his enemies must not be given any reason to come against him, and by her advice she prevented David from committing a bloody act of revenge against Nabal and all of Nabal’s servants. Bathsheba could have prevented David from committing adultery that was in her power to do so, for David was NOT a rapist, and as he listened to the advice from Abigail, he would have listened to Bathsheba IF she had reminded him of the damage to his reputation, and the damage to Jehovah God by his disobedient act of adultery. David ALWAYS listened to reason. He listened to Nathan when Nathan said, Thou art the man. (2nd Samuel 12:7) No matter how angry he was, or how determined, David ALWAYS listened to reason. At the tragic point of the adultery of David and Bathsheba, adultery became acceptable in the course of Israel’s royal history.

Bathsheba’s greater failure was not understanding her role as a mother and as a spiritual guide to her son who had inherited the kingdom from David by the hand of God. Not understanding the GREATER CONFLICT behind the current conflict and that as a mother and a moral and spiritual guide that the GREATER CONFLICT revolves around HEIRSHIP.

Protect the heir, protect the HEIR, protect the HEIRSHIP is the CONFLICT. The goal of the physical battle centered around maintaining that the true heir to the line of David would remain on the throne of Israel. Think of Jezebel’s daughter Athaliah slaughtering the heirs to the throne of David. All the battles that Israel fought stemmed around the issue of heirship, and when Israel, as a nation, lost this battle and became dispersed throughout the world, the very SAME CONFLICT destroyed the Church. Not only did the first church of Ephesus commit adultery and left her first love, but the conflict within the church of Ephesus can be seen in the book of Ephesians. Inheritance is mentioned in Ephesians more than any other book in the New Testament. Also, in the book of Ephesians is recorded the only full and complete description of our uniforms of conflict. (Ephesians 6) This book lays out the conflict: inheritance and the Heirship of Christ. (What we fail to understand is that WAR should have a purpose, a battle plan and a goal. The wars that our nation has been in and IS involved in are planned by men whose plan and goal are TO NEVER END the war. The names of nations change and the reason for war is invented to keep the people pacified, but it is the same continuous war. World War I may have ended with the signing of an unrighteous treaty and World War II may have ended with the signing of an unrighteous treaty, but these treaties NEVER stopped war. They only provided more reasons to continue more wars. That is the purpose, the battle plan and goal of Lucifer, namely, endless wars.)

The tangible conflict is the same as the spiritual conflict, which is adultery, turning from first love, failure to protect heirship, and turning away from the TRUE HEIR to a usurper of Heirship, and relinquishing one’s own sonship and heirship. As Bathsheba unwittingly advocated for the overthrow of Solomon’s heirship, so also the Church turned over its role to a false church, but it did so willingly NOT unwittingly. The true children of God, the sons of God, are now OUTSIDE of what was once theirs. Christians are now considered to be heretics and enemies of the Church while the true heretics rule over what is left of the visible things of God.

Bathsheba, ‘the daughter of the oath‘ SAT on the right side of power not appreciating her role or Solomon’s role or the oath. The right hand was the side of blessing and power, but her advice, if taken, would never bring blessing to the kingdom of Israel, nor would it show the power of Almighty Jehovah.

Instead of living her name, as the daughter of the oath, the offspring of the promises and covenant of God to Abraham, she acted as Bathshua, a daughter and product of wealth and elitism, thus placing herself above others. In fact, this was the last time that Bathsheba is seen and recorded during the reign of Solomon.

Then king Solomon sware by the LORD, saying, God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life. (1st Kings 2:23)

Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day. (1st Kings 2:24)

Solomon instantly knew that this request by his mother was a three-prong coup against his heirship: Joab led the military traitors while Abiathar led the religious/spiritual revolt and Adonijah would become the leader of the executive governmental branch of treason. How did he know? because they led the first attempt to acquire control over the kingdom before the death of David. Men like Adonijah, Abiathar and Joab NEVER concede and fade and go gently into the night. They NEVER admit failure. They are always ready to pounce and to destroy that which is righteous. (Think along the lines of political power, the men and women of renown do all forms of evil to hold onto the tentacles of power . . . and money is power.)

We have only scrapped the surface of the story of Bathsheba. I can only surmise that Bathsheba was no longer welcomed at Solomon’s right hand, for we never read of any further interaction between Solomon and his mother again. Bathsheba ‘daughter of the oath‘ can be viewed as the failure to discern and the folly of unbelief in the Oath Giver.

In ending this article, we see Bathsheba’s Great Failure was also Israel’s Great Failure and the Great Failure of the Church. First, they all left their first love, and secondly, they all committed adultery, and thirdly they all failed to discern between truth and error, and lastly, the greatest folly of all was their lack of faith and their unbelief in the Oath Giver.

And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. (Genesis 15:17) In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: (Genesis 15:18)

For if the inheritance [be] of the law, [it is] no more of promise: but God gave [it] to Abraham by promise. (Romans 3:18)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1st Peter 1:3) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1st Peter 1:4) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1st Peter 1:5)

Men of renown is a companion piece to Giants in the Earth series.

Thia article was published on March 15, 2024 at 12:40 PM (EST)

This article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.

All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJB)

Men of Renown – Part xliv – Bathsheba –

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