Fountains of Wisdom—A Study in Proverbs-Part 56—Bathesheba-A Portrait of Grace
As we begin the final chapter of Proverbs, I want to say how much I have enjoyed this journey with you and look forward to whatever study we embark on next. Believe me, I am open to suggestions as to whether we start through a book again or return to a more spontaneous form of messages—so I would love to hear from you.
Chapter 31 begins with “the words of King Lemuel”; however, there never was a King Lemuel in the history of the Israel nation and most scholars conclude that this chapter was also written by King Solomon. Since he was writing down the wisdom of his mother, he chose to use a pseudonym. Was that to protect his mother from scandalous gossips? Perhaps that is the case. Do we know truly that much about Bathsheba other than the fact that she was the mother of Solomon, the most beloved of all of David’s wives, and by all accounts the one David had called to the palace while she was married to Uriah.
Picture is the artwork of Ronald Barba and is used herewith the direct permission of Ronald Barba
Nowhere does the scripture tell us whether Bathesheba resisted or if she was so smitten by the King that she willingly was a part of the adultery. Yet, I tend to see Proverbs 31 along with the truth that God chose Solomon as the successor to the throne of David as a perfect picture of God’s grace, mercy and the truth of a woman that had been stained by sin and washed whiter than snow by Grace as she truly feared the Lord and was raised high as the example of the virtuous woman.
As I have so failed at moments in my life, saved only by a gracious, patient and forgiving God; I find this chapter particularly sweet and encouraging. God chose this chapter as part of His word, perhaps for that reason. We will begin with verses 1-9 and listen to the words spoken by Bathsheba to her son; perhaps with greater understanding of the wisdom learned from all that she had lived. So, what are the three admonitions given to Solomon by his mother?
1. Avoid illicit relationships with women. Do not allow your lust and desire for a woman to cause you to sin against God? Don’t be carried away into worshipping idols because you desire to please a woman? That is how kings are destroyed. The same truth can be applied to each of us—how quickly can desire or lust destroy our testimony for God and destroy lives.
2. “It is not good for Kings to drink wine or alcoholic beverages” because you might make some awful decree that you will regret. Wine should be given to the sick and poor so that they can forget their lot in life; but should not be consumed by those who have positions of influence.
3. Always open your mouth to fight for justice and the protection of the poor or those who cannot protect themselves. We should strive to be the defenders of Righteousness and Justice in all that we do or say.
Bathsheba knew what it was to have God pour out His grace and His love; just as the woman at the well knew the magnificent grace that Christ had handed her. Remember this, Bathsheba was whom God chose to be the lineage to Christ. Think about it. Perhaps she was a woman who had been always faithful to God until that one dark night and forever after was bathed with the guilt; yet, God in His grace and mercy lifted her up to such a place of honor. He even allowed her son—a son born out of love to become the heir to the throne. Miraculously, God preserved an everlasting love between David and Bathsheba despite their having sinned. What a wondrous picture of Grace. What an Awesome God we serve.
I urge you to listen to this song as it is sung by Steve Green Your Grace Still Amazes Me.
I have included at the end the scriptures from Proverbs 31 in the Geneva Bible along with the footnotes.
Proverbs 31(GNV) “1 THE WORDS OF KING [a]LEMUEL: The [b]prophecy which his mother taught him.2 What my son! and what the son of [c]my womb! and what, O son of my desires!3 Give not thy strength unto women, [d]nor thy ways which is to destroy kings.4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes [e]strong drink,5 Lest he drink and forget the decree, and change the judgment of all the children of affliction.6 Give ye strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto them that have grief of heart.7 Let him drink, that he may forget [f]his poverty, and remember his misery no more.8 Open thy mouth for the [g]dumb in the cause of all the children of destruction.9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and judge the afflicted, and the poor.”
Footnotes:
a. Proverbs 31:1 That is, of Solomon, who was called Lemuel, that is, of God, because God had ordained him to be king over Israel.
b. Proverbs 31:1 The doctrine which his mother Bathsheba taught him.
c. Proverbs 31:2 By this often repetition of one thing, she declareth her motherly affection.
d. Proverbs 31:3 Meaning, that women are the destruction of kings, if they haunt them.
e. Proverbs 31:4 That is, the King must not give himself to wantonness, and neglect of his office, which is to execute judgment.
f. Proverbs 31:7 For wine doth comfort the heart, as Ps. 104:15.
g. Proverbs 31:8 Defend their cause that are not able to help themselves.
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Preview YouTube video Your Grace Still Amazes Me – Steve Green
Your Grace Still Amazes Me – Steve Green
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
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