Bathsheba, Reluctant Beauty
Page 30
Did Absalom have children? Yes (2 Samuel 14:27, 18:18; 2 Kings 15:2). Did four of them die in the plague? I don’t know how they died, but only Maacah is ever mentioned in Scripture again. Some scholars believe that 2 Samuel 14:27 actually means that Maacah is Tamar’s daughter and Absalom’s granddaughter (who later married Solomon’s son Rehoboam). I chose the literal rendering, though I believe either alternative is plausible.
Did Bathsheba really have five sons, four of whom survived? Yes (1 Chronicles 3:5).
I found it interesting that the Gospel of Matthew traces Jesus’ lineage through Solomon, while Luke traces it through Nathan, Bathsheba’s youngest son. The two genealogies do not agree, and here’s an explanation as to why they differ:
A. The lists of ancestors found in Matthew 1:1–17 and Luke 3:23–38 do not agree. There are two major theories for the discrepancies:
1. Matthew wrote primarily to a Jewish audience and recorded Joseph’s lineage to satisfy Jewish legal practices, while Luke wrote to Gentiles and recorded Mary’s lineage. Both trace Jesus back to David, yet Luke goes further, all the way back to Adam (probably because he was writing for Gentiles).
2. Matthew recorded the lineage of the kings of Judah succeeding David (or after the Exile, those who would have succeeded), while Luke recorded the actual ancestors.
B. This lineage would serve the purpose of proving Jesus’ tribal identity and showing the fulfillment of prophecy (cf. Genesis 49:8–12 and 2 Samuel 7). Fulfilled prophecy (cf. Matthew 1:22; 2:15, 17, 23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; 27:9; 35) is strong evidence for a supernatural Bible and for God’s control of history and time.
C. Matthew 1:17 gives the key to understanding why some ancestors are not listed. The author was using a numerically structured, three-tiered “fourteen generation” approach to Jesus’ lineage.1
If you’d like to read the supporting Scriptures for this novel, you’ll find most of them in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings.
I hope Bathsheba’s story, like Esther’s, has encouraged you to pick up a Bible and read the historical accounts of how they lived and how God used them. I love to hear from readers, so if you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop me a note at Angie@angelaelwellhunt.com.
1. Robert James Utley, vol. 9, The First Christian Primer: Matthew, Study Guide Commentary Series, 6 (Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International, 2000).
References
———. 1975. Bible and Spade, Volume 4, 1, 27. Ephrata, PA: Associates for Biblical Research.
Alter, Robert. The David Story. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1999.
Beeching, M. “Bathsheba,” in New Bible Dictionary, ed. D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard et al., 3rd ed., 125. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Believer’s Study Bible. Ed. W. A. Criswell, Paige Patterson, E. Ray Clendenen et al., electronic ed., 2 Sa 1:1–24:3. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991.
Brisco, Thomas V. Holman Bible Atlas. Holman Reference, 110–13. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.
Day, Colin A. Collins Thesaurus of the Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.
Dockery, David S., Trent C. Butler, Christopher L. Church et al. Holman Bible Handbook, 235–41. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1992.
Drazin, Israel. Mysteries of Judaism. Jerusalem: Gefen Publishing, 2014.
Edersheim, Alfred. Sketches of Jewish Social Life in the Days of Christ, Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2003.
Eisenberg, Joyce, Ellen Scolnic, and Jewish Publication Society. The JPS Dictionary of Jewish Words, 14. Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication Society, 2001.
Elwell, Walter A. and Philip Wesley Comfort. Tyndale Bible Dictionary. Tyndale Reference Library, 36. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.
Halpern, Baruch. David’s Secret Demons: Messiah, Murderer, Traitor, King. Grand Rapids, MI: W. B. Eerdmans, 2001.
Hancock, Omer J., Jr. “Nathan,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Ed. Chad Brand, Charles Draper, Archie England et al., 1175–76. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003.
Jeffrey, David L. A Dictionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature. Grand Rapids, MI: W. B. Eerdmans, 1992.
Jenkins, Simon. Nelson’s 3-D Bible Mapbook. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
Josephus, Jewish Wars. Loeb Classical Library: Harvard University Press.
Kaiser, Walter C., Jr., Peter H. Davids, F. F. Bruce, and Manfred T. Brauch. Hard Sayings of the Bible, 228–29. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Kirsch, Jonathan. King David: The Real Life of the Man Who Ruled Israel. New York: Ballantine, 2000.
KJV Bible Commentary. Ed. Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, 221–23. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994.
Klein, William W., Craig Blomberg, and Robert L. Hubbard. Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 193–94. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004.
La Bossière, Camille R., University of Ottawa; David L. Jeffrey. A Dictionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature. Grand Rapids, MI: W. B. Eerdmans, 1992.
Lagassé, Paul and Columbia University. The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. New York; Detroit: Columbia University Press; Sold and distributed by Gale Group, 2000.
Long, Thomas G. “Preaching in the Prophets” in Handbook of Contemporary Preaching. Ed. Michael Duduit, 306–08. Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1992.
MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Topical Bible: New King James Version, 1198. Nashville, TN: Word Publishing, 1999.
MacArthur Study Bible, The. Ed. John MacArthur, Jr., electronic ed., 441–52. Nashville, TN: Word, 1997.
Manser, Martin H., Natasha B. Fleming, Kate Hughes, and Ronald F. Bridges. I Never Knew That Was in the Bible! electronic ed., 165. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000.
Martin H. Manser. Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser, 2009.
Much, Terry C., Sins of the Body: Ministry in a Sexual Society, vol. 19. The Leadership Library, 141–47. Carol Stream, IL; Waco, TX: Christianity Today; Word Books, 1989.
Myers, Allen C. The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary, 33. Grand Rapids, MI: W. B. Eerdmans, 1987.
Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Ed. Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, R. K. Harrison, and Thomas Nelson Publishers. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995.
Open Bible: New King James Version, The, electronic ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998.
Packer, J. I., Merrill Chapin Tenney, and William White, Jr. Nelson’s Illustrated Manners and Customs of the Bible, 498–503. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1997.
Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. The Nelson Study Bible: New King James Version, 1 Ki 1:12–27. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1997.
Rice, Gene. Nations Under God: A Commentary on the Book of 1 Kings. International Theological Commentary, 16–18. Grand Rapids, MI: W. B. Eerdmans, 1990.
Richards, Larry. Every Man in the Bible, 150. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999.
Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion, electronic ed., 203–08. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1991.
Richards, Sue Poorman and Larry Richards. Every Woman in the Bible, 128–31. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999.
Robinson, Gnana. Let Us Be Like the Nations: A Commentary on the Books of 1 and 2 Samuel. International Theological Commentary, 208–15. Grand Rapids, MI; Edinburgh: W. B. Eerdmans; Handsel Press, 1993.
Rosenberg, Joel W., Ph.D.; Associate Professor, Hebrew Literature and Judaic Studies; Tufts University; Medford, Massachusetts, quoted in Harper’s Bible Dictionary, 1st ed., 1035–36. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985.
Rust, Eric C. “Preaching From the Minor Prophets,” Biblical Preaching: An Expositor’s Treasury, 133. Ed. James W. Cox. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1983.
Schley, D.G. “Joab (Person),” vol. 3, The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary. Ed
. David Noel Freedman, 852–54. New York: Doubleday, 1992.
Smith, James E. The Books of History, Old Testament Survey Series, 2 Sa 11:26–12:25. Joplin, MO: College Press, 1995.
Spirit Filled Life Study Bible. Ed. Jack W. Hayford, electronic ed., Dt 18:1. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1997.
Sproul, R. C. Essential Truths of the Christian Faith. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1992.
Stern, David H. Complete Jewish Bible. Clarksville, Maryland: Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc., 1998.
Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001.
Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Woman’s Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
Thomas, Robert L. and The Lockman Foundation. New American Standard Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Updated Edition. Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc., 1998.
Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation, 3rd ed., 1 Sa 19:18–1 Sa 20. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007.
Unterman, Alan. Dictionary of Jewish Lore & Legend. London: Thames and Hudson, 1991.
Utley, Robert James. Volume 9, The First Christian Primer: Matthew, Study Guide Commentary Series, 6. Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International, 2000.
Von Rad, Gerhard. The Message of the Prophets, 101. London: SCM Press, 1968.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Restored, “Be” Commentary Series, 132–34. Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2002.
———. Be Worshipful, 1st ed., “Be” Commentary Series, 194–97. Colorado Springs, CO: Cook Communications Ministries, 2004.
Wilson, Robert R. “Prophet,” Harper’s Bible Dictionary, 829. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985.
Wolpe, David. David: The Divided Heart. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2014.
Angela Hunt has published more than one hundred books, with sales nearing five million copies worldwide. She’s the New York Times bestselling author of The Tale of Three Trees, The Note, and The Nativity Story. Angela’s novels have won or been nominated for several prestigious industry awards, such as the RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Christian Book Award, and the HOLT Medallion Award. Romantic Times Book Club presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. In 2008, she completed her doctorate in Biblical Studies and is currently completing her Th.D. Angela and her husband live in Florida, along with their mastiffs. For a complete list of the author’s books, visit angelahuntbooks.com.
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
Website: www.bethanyhouse.com
Facebook: Bethany House