Over the years, I’ve heard lots of people say, “I just can’t get into the Bible. All those boring stories. It’s a snore.”
To these folks, I say, “Are we perhaps reading different versions?”
The Good Book is simply packed with tales of conflict, cunning, selflessness, adventure and suspense and the story of King David and Bathsheba is perhaps one of the most gripping in the Old Testament. I was already a fan of Amanda Bedzrah, having very much enjoyed her last book, “Leah: Unnoticed, Unwanted, Unloved.” (You can read my review here.) Imagine my delight when I was invited to review her latest novel, “Becoming Queen Bathsheba.” I love the clever way she brings women and their societies to life, and I was delighted to be able to catch up with her and ask her some questions about the new book.
Ruth: Amanda, for those of us who can’t remember, can you give us a snapshot of the King David and Bathsheba story?
Amanda: Bathsheba is taken against her will by the most powerful man in Israel. A month later, she discovers she carries the evidence of their secret, dangerous encounter. With her husband at war, this pregnancy could mean her death or untold greatness. When the king finds out that she is with child, he immediately summons her husband home from war, a cunning plan in mind.
And what was it that gave you the idea to explore Bathsheba’s story in the first place?
I can use the cliché and say God said so. He definitely gave me the grace to write the novel. I have read Bathsheba’s story so many times and it still amazes me.
I love the way you illuminate the story from a modern point of view. How much choice did Bathsheba actually have? How could David abuse his position of authority like that? Could you explain how you unpacked some of this in the book?”
This is a story I have loved with mixed feelings for many years. Like most readers, I suspect, what happened between David and Bathsheba was described as adultery or an affair. But the more I read it and looked at the social and historical background, the more I felt prompted to start asking some different questions around the story.
I’d love to hear some of those questions.
How would Bathsheba have known David was not at war? What are the chances of it being a coincidence that she was having a bath on the roof (obviously with no clothes on) at the exact time he was nearby? What did she get out of it as a married woman? We need to remember that at this time in history, adultery by a woman carried the death sentence.
That’s fascinating. I love the way you’re shining a light on the text. It’s almost like a detective story. And what about where Bathsheba stood as a woman in her society?
Good point. Did she even have the right to say no to the king? Adultery suggests mutual consent, but at this time women had little power. What real choice did Bathsheba have in this very difficult situation? These were the questions that came to me. As in my previous book, I wrote from the point of view of the woman. I wanted to shine a light on what it felt like to be married, to love your husband, but then to be subject to an abuse of power by a man who your husband killed and then married you. That’s quite a story! In spite of all the terrible things which happen, the story does illustrate God’s redemptive power and shows that He can bring beauty from ashes.
To me, this story still feels relevant today. All over the world, there are men and women who have suffered abuse through the misuse of power and influence. Their voices are often silenced and I wanted this to be a story of hope for them. Yes, forgiveness is key, but God sees all and He is a righteous judge.
Are readers catching the vision you had for the book?
They are. I have been so blessed by the feedback and book reviews so far. My vision is to point my readers back to the Bible which has the power to transform lives. I want my readers to know that even though it was written over two thousand years ago, it’s just as relatable as it ever was.
You can find Amanda on Instagram at @amanda_bedzrah, on Facebook as Amanda Gigi Bedzrah, on Twitter at @Gigidoll2020, and on TikTok at @amandabedzrah.
I was sent a copy of this book but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.