Many books have been written about David and Bathsheba, scathing the king for his abusive power in demanding she visit his bedroom, and the dire consequences his one-night-stand had on his family. In judgment, God told David that the son of that tryst would die shortly after birth. The Bible records David’s pleading with God to change His mind and heal the boy. All his wealth and power were useless as he helplessly watched the life drain from his son’s tiny body. Parents in every country, regardless of their religious beliefs, can relate to the feelings of helplessness when they watch their child grow weaker and weaker.
But in all those books, I don’t recall reading anything about the emotional heartache experienced by Bathsheba. Perhaps it’s because a woman’s voice wasn’t deemed as important in those days. But I think it will be good for us to explore her feelings.
For one whole year she carried the guilt of her adultery, the resultant pregnancy, and the subsequent death of her loyal husband, Uriah. With each day that passed during her pregnancy, her heart became more tightly bound to the child growing in her womb. Once he was born and God had delivered His sentence of death, she also stood by and watched the life ebb out of her newborn. I don’t know if she had any friends with whom she could commiserate, or if she had to walk through this heartache alone, but the worry and sleepless nights must have been excruciating.
When David received news that the child had died, he cleaned up and had a meal prepared. In explanation for his apparent stoic response to the child’s death, David said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live. But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.’” (2 Samuel 12:22-23)
While David seemed in control of his grief, I doubt it was that easy for Bathsheba to turn hers off. She was angry with God. She was angry with herself. Though she had another son, Solomon, he was not a REPLACEMENT for her little baby.
How about you? Are you unable to have children? Have you helplessly stood by as doctors said that they could do no more? Have you buried a child? Did you have a stillbirth? Did your baby die of SIDS? Are you grieving over an abortion you had years ago? People have found strength and comfort in David’s words, “I WILL GO TO HIM, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:23).
When a child is facing a painful trial, parents WISH they could trade places and suffer instead of him or her. Jesus ACTUALLY did that very thing. “God made Him [Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). He took our deathly illness of sin upon Himself in order to die that we might live. “For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous [Jesus] for the unrighteous [us], that He might bring you to God.” (1 Peter 3:18).
Children who die in infancy automatically go to Heaven, where they await meeting their parents. But, for us, it’s not automatic. It takes a willful decision on our part. We need to acknowledge that Jesus Christ died in our place, and invite Him to come into our life as our Savior and Lord.
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