Chapter 1: The King on the Roof

David had come a long way from the shepherd fields of Bethlehem.

He had killed a giant with a stone. He had survived years running from a king who wanted him dead. After Saul's death, the tribe of Judah anointed David king in Hebron, where he ruled for seven years. Then the remaining tribes of Israel came to him and anointed him king over all of them.

With the nation united, David turned toward Jerusalem, a stronghold held by the Jebusites. They mocked him from the walls, claiming even the blind and the lame could defend it. But David captured the city and made it his capital. He built his palace there and brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem with celebration and sacrifice. Then, through the prophet Nathan, God made him a promise no king before him had received: "Your throne will endure forever." (2 Samuel 7:16)

Then spring came. In that time, spring was the season when roads dried and kings marched to war. The Ammonites had provoked Israel, and the army was ready. But David did not go. He sent Joab, his commanding general, along with the entire army. They crossed the Jordan and marched east to besiege the Ammonite capital of Rabbah.

David remained in Jerusalem.

One evening, he rose from his bed and walked along the roof of the palace. From that height, David could see everything.

And he saw a woman bathing. She was very beautiful.

DAVID“Who is that woman?”

SERVANT“She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.”— 2 Samuel 11:3

Her husband was not home. He was east of the Jordan, fighting David's war.

David sent messengers to bring her to the palace.