Bible Dictionary
Bath-sheba
Bath-sheba was the wife of Uriah and later of David. After David’s sin and Uriah’s death, she became the mother of Solomon and played an important role in securing his succession.
Definition
Bath-sheba, also called Bath-shua, was the daughter of Eliam or Ammiel and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. After Uriah’s death she became David’s wife and the mother of Solomon. Her name is explained as “daughter of the oath” or “daughter of seven.”
Biblical Usage
David committed adultery with Bath-sheba, and the child born from that union died. She later became Solomon’s mother and, with Nathan’s help, took a prominent part in securing Solomon’s succession. She is also mentioned as David’s wife and Solomon’s mother in the genealogy of Jesus.
Historical Background
Bath-sheba was connected with David’s royal household and lived with him in the palace after their marriage. The genealogical records give both Eliam and Ammiel as forms of her father’s name.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Daughter of the oath, or of seven, called also Bath-shu’a (1 Chr. 3:5), was the daughter of Eliam (2 Sam. 11:3) or Ammiel (1 Chr. 3:5), and wife of Uriah the Hittite. David committed adultery with her (2 Sam. 11:4, 5; Ps. 51:1). The child born in adultery died (2 Sam. 12:15-19). After her husband was slain (11:15) she was married to David (11:27), and became the mother of Solomon (12:24; 1 Kings 1:11; 2:13). She took a prominent part in securing the succession of Solomon to the throne (1 Kings 1:11, 16-21).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>bath-she'-ba, bath'-she-ba (bath-shebha`, "the seventh daughter," or "the daughter of an oath," also called Bathshua bath- shua`, "the daughter of opulence" (1Ch 3:5); the Septuagint however reads Bersabee everywhere; compare BATHSHUA; HPN, 65, 67, 77, 206 for Bath-sheba, and 67, 69, note 3, for Bathshua): Bath-sheba was the daughter of Eliam (2Sa 11:3) or Ammiel (1Ch 3:5); both names have the same meaning. She was the beautiful wife of Uriah the Hittite, and because of her beauty was forced by David to commit adultery (2Sa 11:2 ff; Ps 51). Her husband Uriah was treacherously killed by the order of David (2Sa 11:6 ff). After the death of her husband David made her his wife and she lived with him in the palace (2Sa 11:27). Four sons sprang from this marriage (2Sa 5:14; 1Ch 3:5), after the first child, the adulterine, had died (2Sa 12:14 ff). With the help of the prophet Nathan she renders futile the usurpation of Adonijah and craftily secures the throne for her son Solomon (1Ki 1:11 ff). Later Adonijah succeeds in deceiving Bath-sheba, but his plan is frustrated by the king (1Ki 2:13 ff). According to Jewish tradition, Pr 31 is written by Solomon in memory of his mother. In the genealogy of Jesus (Mt 16) Bath-sheba is mentioned as the former wife of Uriah and the mother of Solomon by David.</p><p>See ADONIJAH; AMMIEL; BATHSHUA; DAVID; ELIAM; NATHAN; SOLOMON.</p><p>A. L. Breslich</p>