Desde que era niña, escuché la historia de Betsabé a través de sermones y enseñanzas. Fue representada como la mujer “adúltera” de la escandalosa historia del gran rey David. La misericordia y la fidelidad de Dios se vieron en la vida del rey David cada vez que se humilló y se arrepintió. Sin embargo, por alguna razón, la gente ha pasado por alto sus defectos y pecados como si fueran insignificantes. Sin embargo, este no fue el caso de Betsabé. Sería vista bajo una luz inmoral. Aunque Dios realmente perdonó a David por su adulterio y asesinato, habría graves consecuencias. De hecho, el juicio de Dios sobre la vida de David fue que “la espada” (violencia) no saldría de su casa y que el hijo de Betsabé no sobreviviría. Otro juicio fue que las esposas del Rey David serian “tomadas” “violadas” en publico en frente de todo Israel en contrario de como el Rey David tomo la esposa de Urias en privado.

En 2 Samuel leemos sobre el relato histórico bíblico de Betsabé y el rey David. Dice que una tarde, mientras los reyes estaban en guerra, el rey David permaneció en Jerusalén, se levantó de su cama y subió a la azotea de su palacio. Fue allí donde vio a una hermosa mujer bañándose. Preguntó por esta mujer y sus mensajeros le dijeron que era Betsabé, la esposa de Urías. Esto no pareció cambiar la opinión de David y la convoco. Sólo puedo imaginar la emoción en la vida de Betsabé. El Rey la estaba convocando. Su marido era uno de los soldados del rey David que luchaba valientemente en la batalla. No todos los días te convoca un rey. Ella debió haberse arreglado elegantemente y para su sorpresa, cuando llegó ante el Rey, sus intenciones no eran honorables. La Biblia dice que el rey David la “tomó”. Él era el rey, ella era su súbdita. Su vida nunca volvería a ser la misma.

Pasó algún tiempo, mientras su marido todavía estaba en batalla, ella envió un mensaje al rey y le informó que estaba embarazada. Esto no fue lo que el rey David anticipó. Rápidamente comenzó su complot para encubrir su pecado. Envió a buscar a Urías de la batalla. Cuando llegó, lo alimentó y le dijo que volviera a casa con su esposa. Urías era un soldado dedicado y leal y cuando dejó la presencia del Rey en lugar de regresar a casa, se quedó afuera con sus hombres y durmió allí frente al palacio del Rey. El rey David lo invitó a regresar al palacio la noche siguiente y nuevamente lo alimentó y esta vez lo emborrachó. Le dijo que regresara a su casa, pero Urías no dejó a sus hombres, no podia irse a su casa ni acostarse con su esposa cuando sus compañeros soldados estaban en batalla.

Cuando el rey David se enteró de esto, escribió una carta a Joab y la envió sellada con Urías cuando regresaba a la batalla. Urías no tenía idea de que su destino estaba sellado. El rey David ordenó a Joab poner a Urías al frente de la batalla hacia el muro de los enemigos y retirarse dejándolo morir.
Joab hizo precisamente esto y Urías murió en la batalla.

La Biblia dice que cuando Betsabé recibió la noticia de que su marido había muerto, lamentó su muerte. David esperó hasta el período de duelo y luego la hizo su esposa. El profeta Natán le llegó la noticia al rey David informándole del juicio de Dios sobre su pecado de adulterio y asesinato. Betsabé no iba poder tener a este hijo. David se arrepintió y ayunó pero fue en vano, el hijo de Betsabé no sobrevivió. Betsabé más tarde concebiría y se convertiría en madre de Salomón. El futuro Rey de Israel.

Mientras leía e investigaba esta historia, encontré algunas ideas importantes. En primer lugar, era culturalmente apropiado que una mujer se bañara por la noche en el techo de su casa para tener privacidad y porque la temperatura era más fresca. Además, esto formaba parte del ritual de limpieza de las mujeres después de su período. En segundo lugar, se suponía que el rey David estaba en batalla con sus hombres. El Rey tenía poder de vida o muerte sobre sus súbditos. Cuando el rey daba una orden, ésta era obedecida. Parece que el rey David aprovechó su posición de poder y “tomó” a Betsabé. No dice que ella lo deseara ni que se enamorara. La biblia dice que él se la llevó, la tomo y la hizo suya. Además, el relato nos dice que Betsabé estuvo de luto por su marido. Cuando estas en luto, lloras por alguien, te sientes triste, angustiado y profundamente desconsolado. Después de su período de luto, que podía durar entre 7 y 30 días, David la convirtió en su esposa. No sólo esto, cuando Betsabé concibiera nuevamente, su hijo sería el heredero al trono. ¿Por qué su hijo? David tuvo otros hijos varones. En lugar de una maldición como la que recibió David de que “la espada” nunca saldría de su casa, Betsabé recibió una bendición Y Dios vengaria lo que le hicieron. Su hijo sería conocido como uno de los reyes más sabios después de David. Gobernaría con “Paz” como su nombre lo establece. Betsabé llamó la atención del rey. A menudo me preguntaba si Betsabé se enteró alguna vez de que el rey David asesinó a su marido. Nunca lo sabremos, pero lo que sí sabemos es que ella fue violada, su marido asesinado y ella perdió un hijo. Hubo mucho sufrimiento y pérdida en la vida de Betsabé, pero Dios cambió todo. Su tristeza se convirtió en alegría al ver a su hijo convertirse en el Rey más grande y sabio de la historia, el que construiría el templo de Dios.

Ever since I was a child, I heard about the story of Bathsheba through sermons and teachings. She was depicted as the “adulterous” women in the scandalous story of the great King David. God’s mercy and faithfulness was seen in the life of King David each time he humbled himself and repented. However, for some reason, people have overlooked his flaws and sins as insignificant. This was not the case for Bathsheba. She would be seen in an immoral light by many preachers and teachers. Although God indeed forgave David for his adultery and murder, there would be severe consequences. In fact, God’s judgement over David’s life was that “the sword” (violence) would not depart his house (family) and that Bathsheba’s child would not survive. In addition, God’s verdict stated that King David’s wives would be “taken” or “violated” from him publicly in front of Israel in contrast to how he privately took & violated the wife of Uriah.

In 2 Samuel, we read about the biblical historical account of Bathsheba and King David. It says that one evening, when Kings were at war, King David remained in Jerusalem, got up from his bed and went to the roof of His Palace. It was there where he saw a beautiful woman bathing. He inquired about this woman and his messengers told him that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. This did not seem to change David’s mind and he summoned her. I can only imagine the excitement in Bathsheba’s life. The King was summoning her. Her husband was one of King David’s soldiers who was fighting valiantly in battle. It’s not every day that you get summoned by a King. She must have gotten dressed up and to her surprise, when she came before the King, his intentions were not honorable. The Bible says that King David “took” her. He was the King, she was his subject. Her life would never be the same.

Some time passed, while her husband was still in battle, she sent word to the King & informed him that she was pregnant. This was not what King David anticipated. He quickly began his plot to cover up his sin. He sent for Uriah from the battle. When he arrived, he fed him and told him to go home to his wife. Uriah was a dedicated & loyal soldier and when he left the presence of the King instead of returning home, he stayed outside with his men and slept there in front of the King’s palace. King David invited him back to the palace the following night and again fed him and this time got him drunk. He told him to return to his home but Uriah would not leave his men, go to his home, and lay with his wife when his fellow soldiers were in battle.

When King David heard of this, he wrote a letter to Joab and sent it sealed with Uriah as he returned to battle. Uriah had no idea that his fate was sealed. King David ordered Joab to put Uriah in front of the battle toward the wall of the enemies and to retreat leaving him to die.
Joab did just this and Uriah died in battle.

The bible says that when word came to Bathsheba that her husband had died, she mourned for his death. David waited until the mourning period, and then made her his wife. Word would come to King David by the prophet Nathan informing him of God’s judgement over his sin of adultery and murder. Bathsheba would not keep this child. David repented and fasted but to no avail, Bathsheba’s child did not survive. Bathsheba would later conceive and become the mother of Solomon. The future King of Israel.

As I was reading and investigating this story, I encountered some significant insights. First of all, it was culturally appropriate for a woman to bathe in the evening hours on the roof of her home for privacy and because it was cooler in temperature. Also, this was part of the cleansing ritual for women after their period. Secondly, King David was supposed to be in battle with his men. The King had power of life and death over his subjects. When the King gave a command, it was obeyed. It appears that King David took advantage of his position of power and “took” Bathsheba. It doesn’t say she lusted after him nor that she fell in love. The bible says, he took her. In addition, the account tells us that Bathsheba mourned for her husband. When you mourn someone you are saddened, distressed, and severely heart-broken. After her mourning period which could be anywhere from 7 to 30 days, David made her his wife. Not only this, when Bathsheba conceived again, her son would be heir to the throne. Why her son? David had other male sons. Instead of a curse like David received that “the sword” would never depart his house, Bathsheba received a blessing and God would revenge what was done to her. Her son would be known as one of the wisest Kings after David. He would rule with “Peace” as his name established. Bathsheba had the King’s attention. I often wondered if Bathsheba ever found out that King David murdered her husband. We will never know this but what we do know is that she was violated, her husband murdered, and she lost a child. There was a lot of suffering & loss in Bathsheba’s life But God turned it around. Her sorrow turned into joy as she witnessed her son become the greatest & wisest King in history, the one who would build the house of the Lord.

I pray this blog post brings healing to your life. This article is for every woman who has been betrayed, hurt, disappointed and or have experienced a great loss of a husband or child. Through out history women have been accused of doing things to have caused such misfortune. Maybe they were too beautiful, maybe not pretty enough, maybe too seductive or simply overlooked, too out spoken or too quiet. God saw what was done to her and He did not take it lightly. He is absolutely a God of mercy and grace But He is always a God of Justice. God saw it! He sees! Don’t you ever forget it!!

Have you entered your secret place where it’s just you and God and you didn’t know what to say? Or better yet you

felt like if He was far away. Maybe you felt that He was disappointed in you. What about feeling a complete sense of stillness or that things felt quiet. You find yourself

isolated and strangely this felt good. I think this is a very common feeling. The reality is that

nothing that we do, feel, or say shocks God. He’s just waiting for us to call out to him for help or just to talk. Maybe even a little screaming, crying and unstoppable

sobbing moment because things are not looking too great. God wants us to cast all our cares, weaknesses, worries, hurts, and

disappointments to Him as we ask for his help. We get so concerned with following protocol. Lets’ see, first we go with repentance, then thanksgiving, then praise then…..and yes

this is all absolutely wonderful but sometimes just sometimes we can go straight to Him and cry. The sobbing kind of cry that screams, “Lord, help me”, I need you to

intervene”, “please change this around”, “I just don’t have the strength” or “I’m feeling weak, please give me strength”.

Sometimes there’s a feeling of being unworthy and sometimes you may feel guilty.

I know I have, but it was recently put into perspective by one of my son’s. He

said, “mom, I sometimes don’t feel worthy”, “I start doing what is right before God and then a week later, I fail Him”. I do what I don’t want

to do again.” I smiled at him and said, “son, we don’t go to Jesus qualified, we go to Jesus and He qualifies us by His precious blood.” The bible

says that “there is no one good, not one.” To put it into perspective, the Bible says, ” that our righteousness is as filthy rags.” I think that there are many reasons

why we feel so unworthy at times. It could be due to a lack of a consistent prayer life or a lack of reading the scriptures. It could be a lack of surrendering in an area of weakness,

a sin that we struggle with, our disappointments, a lack of trust in others, or simply not finding the answers in scripture to our questions.

Ultimately, I think we often feel unworthy when we know that we have fallen short and we think, “How is God going to fix this now?, “why would He choose me? I’m such

a mess. “

There’s other reasons why we may feel unworthy, like being distracted with the affairs of life, being over worked or the feeling of being pulled in so many directions.

Many of us wear many hats. As women, we wear: the mom hat, the wife hat, the daughter hat, the friend hat, the full-time employee hat, the entrepreneur hat, ,the maid hat, the cook hat, the cleaning specialist hat (not funny but funny), the

problem solving hat, the financial hat, the care-taker hat, the professional shopper hat, the house management hat and the mail sorter hat. You get the point. Sometimes, we are so

caught up with all our responsibilities that we forget to care for ourselves both spiritually and physically. We often forget about the self-care hat.

We have learned to say “yes” to every request when we need to say, “NO” and be okay with saying “No, I can’t right now.”

As women, we feel obligated to do all the above and still find time to exercise, stay fit, go to wellness checks, and make healthy habit changes.

Woman are usually so busy being super woman that they leave themselves for last. The result of this is that we begin to distance ourselves from people and sometimes even from God. I know

I have felt like getting in a car, jumping on a plane and going to an island at an undisclosed location just to get away from it all. And from talking to friends, I know I’m not the only one.

The good news is that we don’t have to stay in that dark place for too long. We don’t stay there because we Love God so much and we absolutely know that God loves us, He fights for us and

He is for us.

In Psalm 20:4 it says,” the Lord will fulfill all His purpose for our lives”. It even says in Psalm 27:13 ” I would have lost hope if I hadn’t believed that I would see the

goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

So what should we do?

I have found that listing all your concerns and setting goals for change is a great place to start. Without a plan, your goals are just dreams. We have to learn to

manage our activities. If there’s too much on our plate, we must learn to let it go and be at peace with our decisions! We don’t need to explain ourselves to people

because those in your closest circle know exactly what you are going through. They love you, pray for you, and are your tribe. Next, establish healthy boundaries

with friends, family, and others. Be very clear on what you allow and do not allow in your life. Trust me, you will feel absolutely amazing when you begin and set boundaries.

Next, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Set an assigned time every day and pray, “Lord, I’m a sinner who needs a Savior. Forgive me for falling short. Forgive me for not managing my activities wisely.

Help me to change. I have so many things that I want to do and I need Your direction and guidance in prioritizing each and every goal. Your Word says that you order my steps,

that you plant my feet on an even and wide place. You even pluck my feet from out of the net. You have made me fearfully and wonderfully made as the thoughts you have toward me

are as endless as the grains of sand. Your Word goes even farther and says, “No weapons formed against me shall prosper and every word that rises up against me in judgement, you

condemn. Knowing this brings an immediate smile to my face.

In addition, I tell the Lord, ‘I don’t want to live a day without Your presence. You are the reason i smile, the reason I live and my blessed hope. You are the reason I wake up every morning

knowing that my family are safe in Your hands. I know that all things really do work out for my good because I know that you have chosen me for such a time as this. I may feel overwhelmed at

times but I know that if and when I go to you, you will guide and direct me.

So what else can we do you may ask? I encourage you to crack open your bibles daily and read a chapter from the Psalm or Proverbs as a daily vitamin. Then proceed to read a chapter in the

New testament and or the Old testament. Each time that you read a book, go to the Books of the Bible index and highlight the book that you have read with a colorful highlighter. This will be

so motivating as week by week and month by month you will see all the books that you have read . Soon you will have read the entire Bible. It usually takes about 1 year to 1 1 /2 years to read.

The bible is not like any other book. It’s alive. It will change you. It’s a book where you meditate on the verses and reflect on what is being said, the timeline, and the context.

I take notes on a journal and write on post it notes. The Holy Spirit will reveal the Word to you.

As we continue to seek Him in the Word and in prayer, our hearts & mind will begin to change and the feeling of unworthiness will fade.

I hope this is of encouragement. God bless you!

Sister in Christ, Much Love,

Karly