Would Bathsheba Have Joined the #MeToo Movement?

They keep falling like flies–even the public figures who have most supported the #MeToo movement (Growing list). These situations are not new to the modern era and there are many angles that need to be discussed. However, I think it is appropriate to sound a word of warning to men, especially Christian men, in positions of power.

Would Bathsheba have joined the #MeToo movement if she were living today? No one can answer that question because nowhere does scripture reveal what Bathsheba actually thought about her encounter with Israel’s powerful king. But make no mistake, she was a victim of abuse.  Don’t think so?  Read on.

For reasons unexplained in 2 Kings 11, David remained home in Jerusalem when his army went to war. This must have been difficult for David. Warfare was his life. He seemed to live for the battle. Maybe civic responsibilities demanded his presence, or he had an injury, or simply the ever-encroaching difficulties of age prevented him. While at home, he walked on the roof of his palace and saw a beautiful woman bathing on the rooftop of a home nearby. Even though he knew that she was the wife of one of his soldiers, he sent for her and had sexual relations with her.

This event becomes the most humiliating, destructive, moment in King David’s life. His family never recovered from his sinful choices on that day. The event is recorded in scripture so that we might learn from it. Here are some important lessons in the light of present day events.

Using your position of power to facilitate sin is abuse. 

It is common practice even among the most careful Bible scholars to make some sort of concession here for David.

She was bathing out in the open. One may not fault David for perhaps seeking the cooler breezes of the late afternoon, but Bathsheba, knowing the proximity of her courtyard to the palace, probably harbored ulterior designs toward the king. Yet David’s submission to her charms is inexcusable, for the deliberate steps he followed to bring her to the palace required more than enough time for him to resist the initial, impulsive temptation. (Eugene Merrill, Bible Knowledge Commentary, 2 Samuel 11:2-3)

“That temptress!” Why is this our initial reaction when some powerful Christian man (or Bible character) sins? Who knows? Maybe it is true that Bathsheba had some sort of design on David. But the Bible could have easily told us of that intent if it actually existed. What is clear is that David was the king and in the ancient near eastern context, kings got what they wanted. It is easily conceivable that Bathsheba feared for her life (or some other retribution) if she did not comply with the king’s wishes. But even if Bathsheba was enamored with this event as flattering attention given her by a powerful man, he is still abusing his power to take advantage of the situation. This is why even consensual relations with doctors, therapists, professors, counselors, etc. are considered unethical and actionable.

But what about her responsibility? What about it? The Bible does not address it. It addresses this as David’s sin. When David confesses it as sin, he confesses it as his alone. He never once says “we” (Psalm 51).

Abuse is a very real temptation for men in positions of power.

 If David could do it, any man can. Very accomplished men, men who achieve high-level positions are often very aggressive by nature. David was just such a man. That aggression can serve well in some contexts, but in relations with women, it can be a huge temptation. The achievement of position can easily lead to a sense of entitlement and the sense of being owed something by those around. And frankly, the most common heart issue that leads to this type of sin is just plain wicked arrogance.

Powerful men are often able to set up their environment, workplace, schedule, and habits in order to facilitate their sinful desires. Simply put, it’s a temptation because they can do it, when many others cannot get away with it.

Abuse does not have to be a life pattern to be true.

Here is a man that had been called “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). We see no pattern of this behavior in David’s life before or after this event. It seems to be a one-time deal. For the Christian leader, it is important to remember that just because this has never been a problem for you, does not mean that it never could be. It also means that just because a leader has not shown such behavior in his life as a pattern, he is somehow exempt from honest question or accusation.

Abuse is destructive.

Certainly it is destructive to the person initially abused, but it touches so many more. There are connected but innocent parties. In this case Uriah (Bathsheba’s husband), David’s children, an unborn child, and in a real sense the entire nation of Israel are all significantly negatively impacted. It is also self-destructive. David suffered horrible personal humiliation and loss.

Leader glorification is dangerous.

Thank God someone stood up to David in the Bible account. It was God Himself who sent Nathan the prophet to call out David’s sin. Obviously others in the palace knew and said nothing. Joab knew, and did not protest. When a Christian culture, or a church culture glorifies human leaders to the point that they do not hold those leaders reasonably responsible for their behavior, it has become disobedient and toxic. Love your pastor, give him the reasonable benefit of the doubt, but always remember that he is a sinner saved by grace just like you. Never turn a blind eye to uncomfortable truth.

Abuse of power was accepted as a matter of course in most ancient near eastern cultures. The description of the Persian court in the book of Esther is an example of that. However, ancient Israel made no provision for it. Even Israel’s most beloved king was judged severely for abusive behavior. New Testament biblical commands for Christian men are no less demanding. Christian men are commanded to love their wives sacrificially—to give their lives for them if necessary (Ephesians 5:25-33). They are also specifically commanded NOT to treat them abusively (Colossians 3:19) or take advantage of them but rather treat them with great honor (1 Peter 3:7).

New Testament Christian culture makes no room whatsoever for abusive behavior. Christian leaders must be righteous, wise, and careful.