(contd.)
She couldn’t understand it. If words of it should get out, she would be stoned to death for committing adultery, but she hadn’t planned to cheat on her husband. If she said the king asked his servants to bring her, no one would believe her; they might even say that she asked for it, and that she cheated on her husband; but that was not the case, she was not a loose woman.
So, what should she do? She asked herself as tears sprang to her eyes. Who could she tell? But how could she tell anyone when the king had told her to keep it a secret?
She shook her head sadly. It was ironic that when she woke up that morning, she was very happy. The weather had been good with nothing to prepare her or warn her of what would happen in the evening. If someone had told her that such a thing would happen to her, she would have said it was impossible. And now, her life had been turned upside down. She began to weep.
**********
David remained in his bedchamber after Bathsheba had gone. He first straightened the rumpled bed linens before getting in bed, using some pillows to prop himself up.
That was wonderful … heavenly in fact, he thought and the corners of his mouth twisted in a smile. As he replayed the event of the evening in his mind, he wondered why Bathsheba should belong to Uriah. He envied that man.
Well, he had had his moment with her; he would try to keep away from her. He had to make sure no one knew about what transpired though.
Now that he could think clearly, he realised that Jachin told him that she was Eliam’s daughter. Eliam, one of his thirty valiant men? And being Eliam’s daughter would make her the granddaughter of Ahithophel, one of his very close advisors!
Hmm, David took a deep breath. He probably shouldn’t have done what he did. Her father and grandfather would definitely not like it, not to talk of Uriah. Uriah was a brave soldier; he could be difficult and cause problems for him.
He sighed. Well, it had happened and he didn’t regret it. He would make sure it was well concealed because they must never know, or otherwise, it would break their hearts.
Immediately, he summoned the three servants and gave them plenty of food and clothing, and reminded them, “No one should know about the matter.”
The servants promised again not to tell anyone.
Good. David relaxed.
He didn’t want to like women as much as he did but well, it seemed there wasn’t much he could do to control his desire for them. With many wives and concubines living with him in the palace, he should be satisfied; but he wasn’t. They were not enough for him, he wanted more women, he knew. What he didn’t know was why.
He didn’t know why he could not resist beautiful women. Just yesterday, he had been intimate with two of his wives, at different times. This morning, he was with one of them, yet when he saw Bathsheba this evening, he desired her as if he had not been near a woman for months. He knew God and knew His words concerning adultery. It was a sin. God would want him to live a holy life as a father and leader of many people, yet he had not been able to stop wanting more women. When his servants told him Bathsheba was Uriah’s wife, he had hesitated, tried to resist his desire but at the end, he couldn’t and gave in.
He smiled.
He definitely wasn’t proud of this weakness he had. For years now, since he became a leader and then a king, he had not been able to resist attractive women. He actually derived happiness from knowing that he had so much power and could do whatever he wanted, and no one could question or stop him.
Well, God still loved him and used him. No one was perfect. He was sure God would understand and forgive him concerning this weakness for women, he assured himself.
(To be continued)
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