Bathsheba (The Wives of King David #3)

Jun 22, 2012 Rachelle Ayala rated it 4 of 5 stars

As author of Michal's Window, I read this book with great trepidation. Here is the woman who made King David stray into adultery. What would her story be like?

The book starts out innocently enough with Bathsheba a teenybopper and her friend Chava giddy with excitement at being invited to dine with the handsome king. While Chava provided all the hysterics, Bathsheba admired David from a distance.

Soon enough, she is married to Uriah, the loyal warrior. She grows restless with her husband's frequen...more As author of Michal's Window, I read this book with great trepidation. Here is the woman who made King David stray into adultery. What would her story be like?

The book starts out innocently enough with Bathsheba a teenybopper and her friend Chava giddy with excitement at being invited to dine with the handsome king. While Chava provided all the hysterics, Bathsheba admired David from a distance.

Soon enough, she is married to Uriah, the loyal warrior. She grows restless with her husband's frequent absence and wonders if she'd ever have a normal family, including children.

When she meets the old king wandering on his wall, they flirt and talk about music, their common interest. Talk is soon not enough, and on a hot, restless night, the king wanders out on his wall and decides to take the next step. Oh... he's a smooth devil, that one, he strums her heart with his fingers, singing her life with his words, killing her softly... Not until it's too late does Bathsheba realize the snare... "You have reason to resent your king." "I'm sorry to cause you such pain and loneliness." as he traces a line up her arm and turns her face to kiss her. "Will you stay and accept my love as a token of my apology?" as he drops her robe and probes her private places. Very subtle and very smooth.

Bathsheba's seduction has been written throughout the ages in many different ways, from outright violent rape to a temptress bent on trapping the saintly king. Smith takes an innocent approach, giving both of her characters plenty of excuses--loneliness, grief, boredom, the need for a friend. Yet, if David was so in need of a friend, why couldn't he revisit his love with Michal, whom Smith has redeemed into an angelic being, foster mother of Abigail's daughter. Smith's Michal is a calm, pleasant and cooperative woman who bears no resentment toward David's other wives. She would have been the perfect friend and companion for the aged king.

Bathsheba tells the story of David's later years through the eyes of a young wife--one who was outcast and befriended only by Michal. It is a sad story, as she never really had the normal family she would have wanted. Yet she made the best of it by ensuring her son Solomon was elevated to the throne. The seeds of Solomon's destruction is seen planted by his already roving eye, and his rationalization that he wouldn't commit the sin of his father because he'd simply marry every woman he fancied. Perhaps David's biggest failing after the way he treated his wife, Michal, was his lack of training for his sons. Absalom's rebellion is depicted with its tragic result and Solomon continues the downward spiral.

Smith has done a fairly good job of taking this sordid chapter of David's life and smoothing it out into a December-May romance. Bathsheba is on sale at Amazon for $2.99 until June 24, 2012. Get it at this low price while you can!(less)

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Apr 24, 2012 Louise rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

Baker Publishing Group| March 1, 2011| Trade Paperback| ISBN # 978-0-8007-3322-3

Story Description:

Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her devout husband away fighting the King's wars for many months at a time, discontent and loneliness dog her steps--and make it frighteningly easy to succumb to King David's charm and attention. Though she immediately regrets her involvement with the powerful King, the pieces are set in motion that will destroy everything she holds dear. Can she find fo...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Jocelyn Green rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-fiction

Here’s the deal on this book. I already knew the story of Bathsheba and the aftermath of what David’s sin meant for the rest of his life. I think that really took away a lot of suspense and the “page-turner” quality I look for in a book. If you are not familiar with the biblical account, I’m sure this would hold your interest much better.

Having said that, I did appreciate that it fleshed out some parts of the story which are left unwritten in the Bible. For instance, why did Uriah refuse to go h...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Christian Fiction Addiction rated it 5 of 5 stars

One would not necessarily think that the story of David and Bathsheba would be an inspiring one, filled as it is with temptation and sin and murder. However, Jill Eileen Smith has breathed new life into a story recounted through the ages.

Bathsheba is a story rich in contrasts, from loneliness to love, from passion to grief, from the depths of despair to the healing hand of God. Smith has opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of David and Bathsheba's story. These Bible characters have been clo...more One would not necessarily think that the story of David and Bathsheba would be an inspiring one, filled as it is with temptation and sin and murder. However, Jill Eileen Smith has breathed new life into a story recounted through the ages.

Bathsheba is a story rich in contrasts, from loneliness to love, from passion to grief, from the depths of despair to the healing hand of God. Smith has opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of David and Bathsheba's story. These Bible characters have been cloaked in all-too-human frailty, and it was difficult indeed to watch their downfall as displayed through the power of the author's pen. Yet what I truly admire about this book is that it is not one that wallows in the depths of our human condition, but instead rises through the power of God's grace as He forgives sin that should have been punishable by death. Adultery is a sin that, at the time, was to be punished by stoning. Yet although God does punish them through the loss of their son, he also restores what was lost and offers his tender mercy. In the past when contemplataing this Bible story, I had only ever considered how the loss of their first son was such a horrible punishment for their sin; however, I'd never considered that on the other hand there was an element of mercy, for a King's son born out of adultery would have been subject to the vilest of bullying and torment and would have never had a chance to fulfill God's purpose for his life. This book doesn't provide easy answers, but instead allows you to wrestle with the issues of their sin and the consequences. Although the story may be familiar to you, the book is entirely engaging and will keep you turning the pages.

Prepare to be entertained, moved, and inspired by a fabulous story that will stay with you long after the last page. I highly recommend this book and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

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May 27, 2011 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: BATHSHEBA
Author: Jill Eileen Smith
Publisher: Revell
March 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3322-3
Genre: Inspirational/biblical fiction

Bathsheba is lonely. Her husband, Uriah, is away most of the year fighting the king’s wars, and Bathsheba has no child to keep her busy. With her loneliness increasing, it makes it all too easy to succumb to King David’s advances. But one night of passion will destroy everything she holds dear…

BATHSHEBA is the third book in Ms. Smith’s series The Wives of King David. I—...more

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Mar 19, 2011 Janna rated it 5 of 5 stars

In my opinion Biblical Fiction has to be one of the hardest genres to write in because you are taking something that is fact but there is not a lot of info on and fictionalizing it to bring it to life. So not only are you researching the ways and habits of the time period but you are researching the people as well. Jill Eileen Smith is a master of this. Her Wives of King David series is fantastic and this last book, Bathsheba, is a catch-22 for me. I wanted to see what she did with this difficul...more

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Mar 18, 2011 Kaylea added it

Shelves: see-blog-for-more-info

Smith puts a lot of time and energy into researching her stories and it truly shows in her stories.

She crafts her Biblical fiction in such away, that I found myself grabbing my Bible and re-reading familiar passages to see where she drew her inspiration.

I will admit, it took me a while to "dig into" the story, for two reasons:

1) I thought I knew enough of the story - that I questioned why I should read a novel about it. I mean, David and Bathsheba are probably one of the "this is how you make ba...more

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Mar 13, 2011 Linda rated it 5 of 5 stars

What does a woman do when her husband is away at war for months at a time and she is lonely for love and intimacy? What does she do when the king summons her to his palace? Can she refuse his advances without personal repercussions to herself and her husband? Is she truly aware of her own culpability in the situation?

Jill Eileen Smith, in her book, Bathsheba, gives us an insider’s view of the inner conflicts and feelings of both Bathsheba and King David, both before and after their adulterous re...more What does a woman do when her husband is away at war for months at a time and she is lonely for love and intimacy? What does she do when the king summons her to his palace? Can she refuse his advances without personal repercussions to herself and her husband? Is she truly aware of her own culpability in the situation?

Jill Eileen Smith, in her book, Bathsheba, gives us an insider’s view of the inner conflicts and feelings of both Bathsheba and King David, both before and after their adulterous relationship. Her rendition is in-depth, personal and real. Although this book is fictional in relation to the actual conversations and specific circumstances, Jill does a superb job of keeping true to the Scriptural account.

When Bathsheba finds herself ‘with child’ and sends a message to King David, Jill’s creative storytelling allowed me to personally feel David’s palpable shock to the message, as well as the silence Bathsheba had to endure until she heard back from him.

The story shows the depths of sin’s consequences emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. The depth of the deceit and depravity are astoundingly told, and brings the Biblical account to a deeper level. Jill brings out God’s solution and consequences to their deceit and depravity, along with His gracious forgiveness when repentance is real.

It was difficult to be ‘included’ in the deceitful plans of murder and the following consequences. Also difficult was dealing with the animosity and jealousy that comes with multiple wives in one home; thus the reminder of being the husband of one wife.

This is a story of what can happen to anyone whose relationship with the Lord is aloof, a story of sowing and reaping, and an example for our admonition; lest we think we are incapable of doing such a thing. God’s forgiveness always comes to a repentant heart, but the consequences remain to be lived out.

Jill’s exemplary version of Bathsheba and David’s story brings a new, personal perspective that won’t be easily forgotten.

This book was provided by Donna Hausler, Publicity Assistant, of Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. No monetary value was exchanged.

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Mar 13, 2011 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Bathsheba is a loyal wife. She knows her duty as Uriah’s wife. Uriah is a military man for King David. Uriah worries that when he leaves again for war that Bathsheba won’t have anything to keep her occupied. Bathsheba and Uriah’s love is more about honor than it is about feelings.

While attending an event, Bathsheba meets King David. It is not long afterwards that Uriah leaves for war. It is at this time that King David can not get Bathsheba out of his mind. He sends for her and they end up shar...more

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Mar 13, 2011 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you enjoy biblical fiction and haven’t had the chance to read The Wives of King David series by Jill Eileen Smith, I would encourage you to look up her books.

Bathsheba, the third and final title in this series was my favorite. While many will recognize the story of David and Bathsheba as the infamous adultery / murder scandal that it was, Jill also writes a beautiful story of repentance, forgiveness and grace.

I enjoyed the liberties that Jill took with the story while staying true to the bi...more

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Mar 13, 2011 Victor Gentile rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jill Eileen Smith in her new book, "Bathsheba" Book Three in her Wives of King David series published by Revell gives us a fictional account of what might have happened with her life and that of King David.

Last year when I had the privilege of interviewing Ms. Smith on our radio show and we talked about what she was planning to do in "Bathsheba" Ms. Smith promised me that there would be some surprises in this book. Now that this book is out I assure you Ms. Smith was not kidding. Bathsheba is th...more Jill Eileen Smith in her new book, "Bathsheba" Book Three in her Wives of King David series published by Revell gives us a fictional account of what might have happened with her life and that of King David.

Last year when I had the privilege of interviewing Ms. Smith on our radio show and we talked about what she was planning to do in "Bathsheba" Ms. Smith promised me that there would be some surprises in this book. Now that this book is out I assure you Ms. Smith was not kidding. Bathsheba is the wife of Uriah the Hittite who is one of the thirty of David's might men and his friend. Everything that is in The Bible is in Ms. Smith's story but with much more detail, emotion and back story that The Bible leaves out.

I am not giving away a plot surprise when I tell you that the reason why David in on top of the palace when he sees Bathsheba bathing is because he is grieving the death of his beloved wife , Abigail. I read the story of David and never realized that Abigail had died so this was a bit of a revelation for me though it does make sense. Once they have their affair events are in motion that will drive David to one of the greatest scandals in the kingdom.

I am of the opinion that Bathsheba had no choice in the affair as David was King and how do you deny the King however Ms. Smith does make her point that Bathsheba had complicity. When we get to Heaven we will find out the true details in the meantime we have Ms. Smith's take on "Bathsheba" to entertain us. Ms. Smith makes Bathsheba and David come alive and we get a chance to walk with them and share their adventures intimately. We see what they see, we feel what they feel simply because Ms. Smith is such a great storyteller.

If you missed the interview for "Abigail" book two in the series and would like to listen to it please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where it is available On Demand.

To listen to 24 Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Available March 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.(less)

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Mar 11, 2011 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: biblical-fiction

BATHSHEBA by Jill Eileen Smith is an amazing Biblical fiction set 994 BC Jerusalem.
It is the third in her "The Wives of King David",but can be read as a stand alone. Book one, "Michal",Book two, "Abigail".It is written in narrative style with great attention to details and Biblical facts. It is heartwarming story of sin,redemption,love,treachery,triumph
and forgiveness. This is an emotional and piognant story of Bathsheba and King David. It shows Bathsheba's anger,and her emotional conflict for w...more

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Mar 10, 2011 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This story caught my attention, because I have always loved the stories of King David, and having read several of the other books in this series I definitely wanted to read this book.

Bathsheba was a lovely young woman, who had once been offered to King David as a bride, but after he had promised his wife Abigail, not to take anymore wives, he didn't accept her. Which was fine, because the man offering her, her grandfather, really didn't have the authority to do so, her own father had given her...more This story caught my attention, because I have always loved the stories of King David, and having read several of the other books in this series I definitely wanted to read this book.

Bathsheba was a lovely young woman, who had once been offered to King David as a bride, but after he had promised his wife Abigail, not to take anymore wives, he didn't accept her. Which was fine, because the man offering her, her grandfather, really didn't have the authority to do so, her own father had given her to marry Uriah, the Hittite, after Uriah saved his life.

Uriah loves Bathsheba, and she loves him, but her heart grieves that she has not born him a child in their three years of marriage, but more than that, she is lonely. She hates that he has to go off to war, and fight, and misses him greatly.

After the death of Abigail, King David finds himself very lonely too. In fact he too, should be off to war, but he is not, he is at home grieving when he catches his first glimpse of Bathsheba. After finding out she is married to one of his soldiers, he stays away from the roof, even though she fascinated him. It is after several years and in a moment of weakness that he sees her once again and this time, he has to have her. What happens then is a sin, in the eyes of Adonai, their Lord and in the eyes of the people, if they were to know. Trying to deceive Uriah into lying with his wife, to protect himself, King David does not take into account that Uriah is an upright man and will not lay with his wife, during a battle. With that plan gone awry, there is nothing to do, but to send him into the thick of battle, hoping he dies and freeing him to then take Bathsheba as his own wife.

I loved this story, it however does not end with the death of Uriah and the marriage of David and Bathsheba, it continues on into the adulthood of their son Solomon. A very compelling story, and book lovers of Biblical fiction will not want to miss. 342 pages US $14.99 4 stars.

This book was provided for review purposes only, no payment was received for this review.

Available March 2011 from your favorite seller of Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing. (less)

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Mar 08, 2011 Carly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-favorites

I don’t recall if I have ever read Biblical fiction before reading Bathsheba, so I really wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it or not. But, the story of Bathsheba and King David is a well known one and I was interested to see how Jill Eileen Smith would write a novelization of the story.

Let me just say, this book is fantastic. I was very surprised by how quickly I became engaged in this story and really had a hard time putting it down. It always amazed me when I read a story in the Bible that so comp...more

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Mar 20, 2011 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars

For the concluding volume in The Wives of King David trilogy, author Jill Eileen Smith breathes life into the story of David’s most infamous wife, Bathsheba – a woman who came into his life through adultery, who in spite of her scandal-ridden past would come to have the honor of being named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Like the previous two wives Smith brought to life (Michal and Abigail), Bathsheba’s past is again strikingly different from theirs, and her life intersects with a David who i...more For the concluding volume in The Wives of King David trilogy, author Jill Eileen Smith breathes life into the story of David’s most infamous wife, Bathsheba – a woman who came into his life through adultery, who in spite of her scandal-ridden past would come to have the honor of being named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. Like the previous two wives Smith brought to life (Michal and Abigail), Bathsheba’s past is again strikingly different from theirs, and her life intersects with a David who is the established, beloved – and prideful? – King of Israel. The Bible gives perhaps even less insight into Bathsheba’s character and personality than it does Michal and Abigail, leaving Smith a veritable blank canvas with which to recreate the events leading up to, and the consequences of, one of history’s most famous affairs. Using the Biblical text as her framework, Smith weaves an engrossing tale of the events and struggles that would lead David, a man after God’s own heart, mighty and favored beyond imagination, to claim another man’s wife as his own. And she brings to colorful life Bathsheba, the woman whose beauty would threaten the security of a kingdom, and who’s one night of forbidden passion with a king would bring about devastating repercussions, redeemable only by the grace of a merciful God.

For the first third of this novel, Smith introduces readers to Bathsheba’s life prior to her fateful night with David. A daughter of privilege, born into a family with close ties to David’s royal house, she was given in marriage to Uriah, a Hittite who adopted the faith of Israel and gained honor and position as one of the Thirty, David’s select group of warriors. At times I really struggled to connect with Bathsheba and Uriah – she never seemed satisfied, always questioning and doubting her husband’s love since wars kept him away from her months at a time, while he was so pragmatic and dedicated to the letter of the law that he had no sympathy for or inkling of how to handle Bathsheba’s emotional volatility. However Uriah, perhaps one of the most tragically wronged individuals in the Bible, is fully realized as an honorable, loyal innocent caught up in events not of his own making or desire. Though it is never specified in the Bible that Bathsheba and David met prior to the night he sent for her in 2 Samuel 11, Smith conjectures – reasonably, I think – that due to Bathsheba’s family heritage and her husband’s position in David’s royal guard, that it’s possible they met earlier. Such a meeting plants the seeds of curiosity and desire in each of them, sparks that flame into a full-blown obsession when David witnesses Bathsheba’s ritual purification bath from the palace rooftop. Smith does a superb job of creating emotional tension between David and Bathsheba, and the fallout from their passion and attempts to hide their sin is positively wrenching to witness.

One of the aspects I’ve really appreciated about this trilogy is Smith’s ability to bring to life David’s most famous wives, and make them living and breathing, relatable, fallible humans. The scripture seems to imply that Bathsheba was a willing partner in adultery by the omission of any words to the contrary – and while Smith’s retelling doesn’t shy away from Bathsheba’s possible complicity, she also explores her fall with a perspective I’d not imagined before. The social and cultural structure that Bathsheba operated within – that made her wholly subject to the dictates of the men in her life – make it easier to understand how her society would have conditioned her to obey men, whether father, husband, or king, without question. The consequences of David’s callous selfishness in claiming Bathsheba when he had no right is heartbreaking to watch unfold. David and Bathsheba’s shared guilt provides Smith with the springboard for crafting a powerful illustration of God’s redemptive grace in the face of unfathomable sorrow. Bathsheba is a story of second chances, and God’s ability to bring beauty from the ashes of seemingly irredeemable mistakes, when a broken soul seeks and accepts forgiveness. (less)

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Jan 27, 2013 Jennifer rated it 2 of 5 stars

I found this novel to be rather dull and monotonous. There was virtually no character development, which was a disappointment as it left David and Bathsheba as two-dimensional characters in a book rather than as historical figures brought to life.
However the biggest issue I had with this novel was that it was written as if David and Bathsheba were aware that they were biblical figures living in Old Testament times. This quote from historian David McCullough gives a great perspective about histor...more

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Jan 10, 2013 Pat rated it 5 of 5 stars

A story of redemption and grace. We all know the story of David and his seduction of Bathsheba. Jill Eileen Smith fleshes out the biblical account so that we feel we know Bathsheba better--a woman loved deeply by King David who is faithful to him after both receive forgiveness from God for their sins.

Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her devout husband away fighting the king's wars for many months at a time, discontent and loneliness dog her steps--and make it frighteningly easy to...more

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Mar 14, 2011 Andi Newberry ~Tubbs rated it 5 of 5 stars

As someone who did the Precept Bible study A Man After God's Heart by Kay Arthur, was a quizzing leader who taught kids 1st and 2nd Samuel I knew the story of David and Bathsheba quite well. However, Jill's book had me going back to my Bible to look at my notes. Jill has written a book that takes you to the heart of not only David, but Bathsheba. In this beautiful book you get to see the heartbreak that Bathsheba suffers because of the sin that David and her commit. I also learned that Proverbs...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christianfiction, blog-tour-book, historicalfiction, forpleasure, forreview, favorite-2011

Bathesheba, the third book in the Wives of King David series, is a compelling end to a great trilogy. It's not an easy task to take something that happened in the Bible that is complex but true in all of its shameful detail, like the story of David and Bathsheba, and then make it believable so that the reader can see how it may have happened.

I have to admire the author for writing this book and making it compelling. I couldn't stop reading and I already knew what happened from reading the Bible...more Bathesheba, the third book in the Wives of King David series, is a compelling end to a great trilogy. It's not an easy task to take something that happened in the Bible that is complex but true in all of its shameful detail, like the story of David and Bathsheba, and then make it believable so that the reader can see how it may have happened.

I have to admire the author for writing this book and making it compelling. I couldn't stop reading and I already knew what happened from reading the Bible. I loved the other two books in the series, but I think this last one was the best. It had to be tough to write.

I found the way everything was set up very compelling. It makes more sense to me now why there was such a rift in David's life after that event. Yes, Nathan the prophet had said that the sword would never be taken from David's house, which meant there would be strife in the king's home and death. I understood that fairly well, but now it makes more sense to me given the entire story. People lost faith in David because of the adultery he'd committed and as a result his followers and the military were more easily persuaded by Absalom to go against their king.

The particulars regarding how everything transpired was brought to life for me through Ms. Smith's fictionalized account of this famous couple's story. Sin is never rewarded even if God redeems it and uses it for His glory in the end, like the fact that Jesus descended from David and Bathsheba's second child.

I could see David was in an emotional place where he was vulnerable to temptation when he saw Bathsheba. He was restless and wanted a wife he could be close to after his favored wife's death. He stayed back to grieve the loss of Abigail when he should have joined his men in battle, and did this several times. There are so many details that contributed his bad decision to commit adultery. Then once he had done it, the ramifications continued to pile up until someone's death was the only way to resolve the situation. He didn't want Bathsheba to be stoned as the law required because of what he'd done. At the same time, even that desperate attempt to cover up his sin hadn't fixed the problem.

David's sin was always before him and made him sick from the worry and guilt. Fear sapped both of them of strength and robbed any peace they'd had. Anxiety about what could be done if they were found out permeated every thought. The consequences of his sin were far-reaching. Even though Bathsheba had agreed to be with David that night, she had been reluctant to do so, yet she still fell. David was a very handsome and charismatic king and many people were drawn to him.

When David had Uriah killed I really identified with Bathsheba's conflicted emotions and pain. I understood--wrong as it was-- why he thought Uriah's death in battle was the only solution. I felt for Uriah because he was truly a good man and trusting servant. He was innocent and his only real fault was being a warrior with a beautiful wife. I could see how David's men lost even more respect for him when everything came out.

The grieving that David did over his sin was well done. I felt his agony. I could almost see him stealing away to write some of the Psalms as a way of dealing with his guilt and sorrow. I loved how he truly recognized the calamity he had brought on his family by following his fleshly desires.

I also loved the way the author showed Bathsheba's anger and conflicted emotions about the situation she'd found herself in. I could see how she hated what happened and her life at that point, yet at the same time she worked through the pain and loss. She was a strong woman and I could see why she was David's favorite wife. She was also beautiful on the inside.

The story of David and Bathsheba is a great example of God making beauty come from ashes and joy from mourning. Not because the sin committed was of no consequence, but the Grace of God is powerful enough to cover all sin and restore any life if there is true repentance. There are always consequences, though, and this story shows that while God had forgiven them, there was still a plethora of long-lasting repercussions that existed. The ramifications resulting from their transgression had to be dealt with on a regular basis, but God saw them through it when they called upon His name.
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Mar 14, 2011 Trinity Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

Bathsheba is the first book I’ve read of Jill Eileen Smith, and it’s the third in The Wives of King David series. It was a great book as a stand alone or the third in the series.
Knowing the Bible I wondered if Jill Eileen Smith would follow the story in the correct way and I found out they did. The main events all went along with the Bible beautifully. The story was well thought out and the pictures she put in my head were just fantastic.
Many scenes were touching especially when David and Bathsh...more

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Mar 18, 2011 Clockstein Lockstein rated it 5 of 5 stars

Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith is the third book in the Wives of King David Series. Bathsheba is the beautiful young wife of Uriah, one of King David's Thirty, his leading warriors. War often keeps Uriah away from home, and Bathsheba is lonely and a bit angry that his absence has kept her from becoming pregnant. She knows a child would fill her heart and keep her from missing her husband quite so much, but Uriah is devoted to all of the various rules and rituals of the church, as well as his kin...more

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Mar 21, 2011 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

Jill has skillfully crafted together a compelling and heart-wrenching book on the well-known story of David and Bathsheba. Never erring from the truth of the Scriptures, this book explores the thoughts and feelings of what David and Bathsheba might have been experiencing before, during, and after they fell into sin. The last in the Wives of King David series, this is a powerful and thought-provoking book!

The characters in Bathsheba were well developed and extremely well written. I really connect...more Jill has skillfully crafted together a compelling and heart-wrenching book on the well-known story of David and Bathsheba. Never erring from the truth of the Scriptures, this book explores the thoughts and feelings of what David and Bathsheba might have been experiencing before, during, and after they fell into sin. The last in the Wives of King David series, this is a powerful and thought-provoking book!

The characters in Bathsheba were well developed and extremely well written. I really connected with Bathsheba, David, and even Uriah. Digging down deep, Jill brings the depth of these character’s feelings to life, vividly describing Bathsheba’s longing, then her betrayal to her husband by giving herself to another, and then the consuming guilt over her sin. David’s reactions were also extremely well written and sobering as he attempted to cover the matter up. I could literally feel and understand his frustration and desperation as every attempt to send Uriah home fell through. The undercurrent of emotions throughout this book is vivid and powerful.

Because of the story – David and Bathsheba’s adultery – one can guess that it does contain some adult content. But honestly, I thought it was incredibly clean for the events that took place. When David watched Bathsheba bath from his balcony, nothing explicit was described except that he was filled with desire to have her. When David seduced Bathsheba, it was very minimal. The actual act of sin took place “off scene”.

Jill’s focus on writing this book was mainly on David and Bathsheba’s thoughts and feelings – something the bible does not give us. While we can never know what the two of them where thinking before or after the act of adultery, I think Jill’s adaptation of the event is the most believable and accurate I have ever read. It was so well written that I could feel Bathsheba’s remorse and David’s desperation. The scene when Nathan confronts him with his act of adultery was powerful. It reminded me of Numbers 32:23, “…be sure your sin will find you out.”

Bathsheba has earned a permanent place on my favorite’s bookshelf! I was pulled into this story from the very first scene, unable to put it down. As I read, an old saying from my mother continually came to mind – “Sin always feels good for a little while.” David and Bathsheba’s story is a prime example. Before and during, they thought of nothing but their desires and longings. But almost instantly after the act was committed, feelings of guilt began to fill their hearts and consume them. And because of that one night, the “sword” never departed from David’s house. It’s sobering to see how the rest of his life was affected because he disobeyed God’s commandment to not commit adultery. In all, Bathsheba is one of the best books I’ve read this year!
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Mar 27, 2011 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

Take a lonely woman and a wealthy man with too much time on his hands and you have the makings of one of today’s television dramas. When the woman’s name is Bathsheba, today’s story goes back a couple of thousand years.
Smith has written an engrossing tale of King David and his most famous—or infamous—wife, Bathsheba. To students of the Bible, the tale is a familiar one—at least on the surface. But Smith brings the characters to life in such a way that you can relate to their humanity rather th...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Deborah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Bathsheba and her husband Uriah, are followers of Adonai. Though Uriah is a Hittite, he not only follows the law to the letter, he believes that the God of King David is the only One that deserves man's praise. Uriah is a member of the Mighty Thirty that protect the king and are part of David's inner circle. It is a life that takes him to the battlefield often, and leaves Bathsheba alone. She misses him when he is away, and resents that even when he is home, his mind is often on military matters...more

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Mar 21, 2011 Christy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Bathsheba, book three in the Wives of King David series, is the latest book by Jill Eileen Smith, and it doesn't disappoint at all! While the story itself is not new to me, the delivery of the story is what makes this book so special. I love the descriptions of David's palace, like the extravagance of the food and the elegance of his garments, which make the story come to life on the page. I also love the emotion that is displayed in the love triangle which is Bathsheba, David, and Uriah, and Ji...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Lajuana rated it 5 of 5 stars

I could hardly put the book down. It was a real love story! I was spellbound! Bathsheba was a passionate woman who was very lonely because her husband was always away at war. She loved him but she knew something was missing. I thought David pushed himself on her but from this version they both wanted to be together. They were two people who were meant to be together. Morally it was a forbidden love but true love or lust overrode what they both knew to be right. Bathsheba took a chance. She could...more

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Mar 21, 2011 Amber Stokes rated it 5 of 5 stars

With sensitivity and tact, author Jill Eileen Smith tells King David and Bathsheba's story in a stirring and engaging way. The historical/biblical context is expertly incorporated into the fictional rendering, and the reader is drawn into the story with all senses on the alert and an open heart.

Bathsheba is wonderfully well-written, and even for those somewhat familiar with the story this historical fiction book offers a lot of insight. The subject of the story is not a happy one, and thus the b...more

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Jul 25, 2012 Simone rated it 5 of 5 stars

A rare beauty who longs to be touched and feel the love and passion from her husband like she use to. Before her husband went away to war she often felt as though her husband does not love her as he use to and many a nights she longs for him to hold and touch her. While her husband is away fighting the King’s wars for many month her loneliness eats away at her and she fall for King David’s charm, charisma and attention.

After a passionate night with King David Bathsheba deeply regrets her foolis...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Kristin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

3.5 stars

I was looking forward to finishing up the Wives of King David series, since I read the other two books back in the spring last year. So when I came across Bathsheba in a used book store, I snatched it up.

I enjoyed it about as much as I did the previous two. It's always interesting to see how authors flesh out Bible stories, and I liked reading this one now because I've recently been reading about David in the Bible.

But...I have to be in certain mood to really enjoy Biblical fiction. So...more

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Jul 16, 2012 Barbara added it

Shelves: 2012, biblical-fiction, christian-fiction, historical-fiction

This wonderful novel depicts the feelings and consequences associated with sin, and also the absolute beauty of forgiveness. Jill Eileen Smith was true to the facts of the story of David and Bathsheba as chronicled in the Bible, but her wonderful imagination helped her flesh out possible details and reasons that totally changed my view of what happened; I have a little more sympathy for them than I did previously, even though their actions were truly wrong. If you like Biblical fiction and/or hi...more

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Bathsheba (The Wives of King David #3)

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