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Lineage of Grace #4
Unspoken: Bathsheba
BY Rivers, Francine ( Author ) [{ Bathsheba By Rivers, Francine ( Author ) Jun - 28- 2001 ( Hardcover ) } ]
213 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2001
273 people are currently reading
4,702 people want to read
About the author
Francine Rivers
62books19.7kfollowersNew York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers continues to win both industry acclaim and reader loyalty around the globe. Her numerous bestsellers include Redeeming Love, A Voice in the Wind, and Bridge to Haven, and her work has been translated into more than thirty different languages. She is a member of Romance Writers of America's coveted Hall of Fame as well as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
Twitter: @FrancineRivers
Twitter: @FrancineRivers
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews
October 22, 2022
Reading the chapter about Bathsheba in reminded me of how much of an impact this book made on me years ago. If you want to examine the story of Bathsheba in greater detail, I highly recommend this book.
March 19, 2021
The Lineage of Grace series is a five-novella series from Francine Rivers that focuses on the five women found the in the ancestry of Jesus: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Having already read the first three in the series, I was a little more than underwhelmed. The narrative format is clearly intended to be more Bible study than story and doesn’t do a great job of merging developing historical and cultural context. Unspoken: Bathsheba, however, is even worse than I was expecting.
In Rivers� imagination of the story, Bathsheba is the daughter of one of David’s mighty men, fighting with him before he was king. Bathsheba has known of David since her childhood and always been smitten by him. Rivers portrays an eight-year-old Bathsheba openly wishing that she could be David’s wife and hoping that David will notice her.
Bathsheba grows up and is given in marriage to Uriah, an idol worshipping Hittite that she does not love. Francine Rivers seems to be going out of her way to justify the relationship between David and Bathsheba and make any impropriety about it primarily Bathsheba’s. When David sees her bathing on the roof, he does not realize who it is. When she’s called to him, and he learns her identity, he realizes she is Uriah’s wife and nearly backs down before an aide goads him into it.
In this telling, Bathsheba realizes David is watching and wants him to see her. She is seen as complicit and, when David sends for her, she is hopeful that her dream of being a princess will be realized—or at very least, her dream of one night with David. It’s a victim-blaming, harmful whitewashing of a story that clearly presents David as a murderer and rapist.
Unspoken: Bathsheba uncomfortably and grossly portrays Bathsheba as the sexual aggressor, even when everything in the biblical narrative paints her as a victim. This is not consensual adultery. This is not the end of an unrequited love. This is rape. And to call it anything else gaslights those who have been sexually abused and justifies sexual abusers. This is dangerous theology and for it to come from the pen of a woman revered in Christian fiction circles and widely read, even outside the Christian community, is categorically abhorrent.
In Rivers� imagination of the story, Bathsheba is the daughter of one of David’s mighty men, fighting with him before he was king. Bathsheba has known of David since her childhood and always been smitten by him. Rivers portrays an eight-year-old Bathsheba openly wishing that she could be David’s wife and hoping that David will notice her.
Bathsheba grows up and is given in marriage to Uriah, an idol worshipping Hittite that she does not love. Francine Rivers seems to be going out of her way to justify the relationship between David and Bathsheba and make any impropriety about it primarily Bathsheba’s. When David sees her bathing on the roof, he does not realize who it is. When she’s called to him, and he learns her identity, he realizes she is Uriah’s wife and nearly backs down before an aide goads him into it.
In this telling, Bathsheba realizes David is watching and wants him to see her. She is seen as complicit and, when David sends for her, she is hopeful that her dream of being a princess will be realized—or at very least, her dream of one night with David. It’s a victim-blaming, harmful whitewashing of a story that clearly presents David as a murderer and rapist.
Unspoken: Bathsheba uncomfortably and grossly portrays Bathsheba as the sexual aggressor, even when everything in the biblical narrative paints her as a victim. This is not consensual adultery. This is not the end of an unrequited love. This is rape. And to call it anything else gaslights those who have been sexually abused and justifies sexual abusers. This is dangerous theology and for it to come from the pen of a woman revered in Christian fiction circles and widely read, even outside the Christian community, is categorically abhorrent.
May 24, 2016
I've read the biblical account of David and Bathsheba many times. As most of their story is told through the eyes of David, I always wondered what was going through Bathsheba's mind as the sordid story played out.
Of course, we can't ask her. But I do like Francine River's take on it. With the exception of Bathsheba pining for David when she was eight years old, I found it believable.
What I loved: Ms. Rivers breaks down the events bit by bit. We see how the thoughts of David and Bathsheba turn to lust. They act on it, then compound it. I couldn't believe how much this book affected me. When Bathsheba went to the gate to try to bring Uriah home, and he knew what she did, it was heartbreaking to read. It was even worse when David brought Bathsheba into the palace as his wife. Everyone hated her. It was then that Bathsheba finally realized it is much better to be the adored wife of one man, than one of many in the king's harem. David, too, was despised by his men for what he did. If Bathsheba had not been the wife of the king, she would have been stoned. But though they could not go against David, the people did turn from him and it weakened his reign. Both David and Bathsheba suffer through grief, pain, and regret, bringing them to a place of repentance. Bringing both of them back to God. With all the turmoil surrounding David's reign in his latter years, I can certainly see why Ms. Rivers included a fair amount of gossip and why so many tried to take David's throne from him.
One thing this book made clear is that actions have consequences. After the death of her firstborn, Bathsheba turned her life around. She sought God's favor and brought her four sons up to love and trust in God.
Bathsheba's mother was both wise and cruel. Wise to counsel her daughter to be happy being the only wife of Uriah. Cruel after she found out about her sin. She predicted the name Bathsheba would become a byword for adultery, and she was right. Bathsheba lived under the shadow of that sin her entire life. I do believe she found forgiveness in the Lord, and that gave her the strength to deal with all those who never would forgive her, including her mother.
Of course, we can't ask her. But I do like Francine River's take on it. With the exception of Bathsheba pining for David when she was eight years old, I found it believable.
What I loved: Ms. Rivers breaks down the events bit by bit. We see how the thoughts of David and Bathsheba turn to lust. They act on it, then compound it. I couldn't believe how much this book affected me. When Bathsheba went to the gate to try to bring Uriah home, and he knew what she did, it was heartbreaking to read. It was even worse when David brought Bathsheba into the palace as his wife. Everyone hated her. It was then that Bathsheba finally realized it is much better to be the adored wife of one man, than one of many in the king's harem. David, too, was despised by his men for what he did. If Bathsheba had not been the wife of the king, she would have been stoned. But though they could not go against David, the people did turn from him and it weakened his reign. Both David and Bathsheba suffer through grief, pain, and regret, bringing them to a place of repentance. Bringing both of them back to God. With all the turmoil surrounding David's reign in his latter years, I can certainly see why Ms. Rivers included a fair amount of gossip and why so many tried to take David's throne from him.
One thing this book made clear is that actions have consequences. After the death of her firstborn, Bathsheba turned her life around. She sought God's favor and brought her four sons up to love and trust in God.
Bathsheba's mother was both wise and cruel. Wise to counsel her daughter to be happy being the only wife of Uriah. Cruel after she found out about her sin. She predicted the name Bathsheba would become a byword for adultery, and she was right. Bathsheba lived under the shadow of that sin her entire life. I do believe she found forgiveness in the Lord, and that gave her the strength to deal with all those who never would forgive her, including her mother.
January 22, 2013
She committed adultery...she repented and was forgiven. Who would have thought that the son of an adulteress would be King? The story of Bathsheba is one of hope to us all who have sinned and fallen short of Gods glory. God forgives and He restores.
"Considering how greatly God had blessed her despite her grievous sin, she couldn't imagine what His plan might have been had she been faithful and obedient. What if David had never seen her bathing? What if he’d never called for her and she’d remained faithful to Uriah? Yet having experienced God’s discipline, she knew she had gained a life-changing understanding of redemption and restoration. She now knew beyond a shadow of a doubt how great were God’s mercy and loving-kindness, and for that she was oh so thankful. The sweet incense of faith was released when her life and will were crushed".
"Considering how greatly God had blessed her despite her grievous sin, she couldn't imagine what His plan might have been had she been faithful and obedient. What if David had never seen her bathing? What if he’d never called for her and she’d remained faithful to Uriah? Yet having experienced God’s discipline, she knew she had gained a life-changing understanding of redemption and restoration. She now knew beyond a shadow of a doubt how great were God’s mercy and loving-kindness, and for that she was oh so thankful. The sweet incense of faith was released when her life and will were crushed".
December 7, 2019
Batšeba kā Dāvida citam atņemtā sieva un Sālamana māte likās viena no sērijas pazīstamākajām varonēm - tāpēc arvien vairāk varēja just, kurās vietās ir tīra autore interpetācija un izdoma. Bet man jau ļoti patīk, ko tur liegties.
July 7, 2021
I have very strong opinions about this book....
Here's what I loved about this book:
-I loved the way the author wove little bits and pieces of Psalms and Proverbs into the conversations of David and Bathshedba, specifically to their sons.
-I loved the way David and Bathsheba both eventually fully owned their sins and recommitted their hearts and lives to God.
-I loved the friendship and forgiveness between Bathsheba and Abigail.
Here's what I HATED about this book:
-I hated the way Bathsheba was portrayed as a lustful, unfaithful wife from day one! Yes, she sinned, but writing that she longed for and loved David before even her wedding day was too much poetic license for my taste. Maybe that's how it went, but maybe it's not!
-Bathsheba was written as an unloving, unfaithful wife until she got her heart's desire...David. How do we know that's how it really happened??
-So many people place more blame on Bathsheba in this story, but David was just as much at fault, too! The way the author portrayed Bathsheba did what so many tend to do....put more of the blame on her. I don't think that is in accordance with the way God saw it as told in the Biblical narrative.
Here's what I loved about this book:
-I loved the way the author wove little bits and pieces of Psalms and Proverbs into the conversations of David and Bathshedba, specifically to their sons.
-I loved the way David and Bathsheba both eventually fully owned their sins and recommitted their hearts and lives to God.
-I loved the friendship and forgiveness between Bathsheba and Abigail.
Here's what I HATED about this book:
-I hated the way Bathsheba was portrayed as a lustful, unfaithful wife from day one! Yes, she sinned, but writing that she longed for and loved David before even her wedding day was too much poetic license for my taste. Maybe that's how it went, but maybe it's not!
-Bathsheba was written as an unloving, unfaithful wife until she got her heart's desire...David. How do we know that's how it really happened??
-So many people place more blame on Bathsheba in this story, but David was just as much at fault, too! The way the author portrayed Bathsheba did what so many tend to do....put more of the blame on her. I don't think that is in accordance with the way God saw it as told in the Biblical narrative.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2010
Last Lines from "Unspoken"
"I know they will remember my sins, Lord, but when they look upon my life, let them see what You did for an unworthy woman. let them see the hope born from despair. If they must recount my sins, let them count Your blessings more so. You protected me. You raised me up. You gave me sons. Let my name be unspoken, Lord, for what am I that anyone should remember me? But, oh, Lord God of Israel if they do remember me, let them open their mouths and sing praises for your great mercy toward me. let them see Your infinite grace and your boundless love and let them be encouraged"
"I know they will remember my sins, Lord, but when they look upon my life, let them see what You did for an unworthy woman. let them see the hope born from despair. If they must recount my sins, let them count Your blessings more so. You protected me. You raised me up. You gave me sons. Let my name be unspoken, Lord, for what am I that anyone should remember me? But, oh, Lord God of Israel if they do remember me, let them open their mouths and sing praises for your great mercy toward me. let them see Your infinite grace and your boundless love and let them be encouraged"
January 28, 2009
I really liked this one. Rivers does an inspiring job of humanizing a woman who is so often villanized, or at least discounted. Such a good reminder that despite her past mistakes, it is godly mother Bathsheba who raised the one son of David who would become the wisest man of the Bible. I liked too the characterization of David as so very, very human. I think sometimes as we remember his triumphs, we forget how very, very low his darkest moments were. A beautiful picture of how God uses broken, sinful people for their blessing and His glory.
February 3, 2009
This whole series is amazing!!! God used these women regardless of what others thought of them. He saw through to the heart of each of them (right past their sins & faults), and used the gifts and talents that He gave them to bring us a Savior that we despearately need/needed. It speaks to God's capacity to love and forgive us! It shows the humble beginings from which Christ was born.
May 19, 2011
It was a little difficult to read at first. The wording reminded me of the movie True Grit. It was a little disconnected. Once I got passed that I enjoyed the story and cleamed new information that I did have. It was more or less connecting the dots.
April 9, 2022
2.5 stars
Unspoken is the 4th book in the Lineage of Grace series and tells the story of Bathsheba. I honestly didn't enjoy this one as much as the first three. It wasn't so much a retelling as a "based on a true story but with most of it made up" kind of story. (You know, like how a lot of "based on a true story" movies are.) The story was still about Bathsheba, and it still followed loosely the story we read in the Bible. I understand when you're writing a Bible retelling you often need to "read between the lines" and add things, since a lot of times there just aren't enough details to make much of a story. However, it felt like Rivers just added too much in this one. It felt like she just needed more material for the story and so added too much filler. I actually lost interest in the book and left it for a couple of days because I just didn't enjoy it. But I came back to it because I wanted to finish it already and start on another book.
I really didn't like Bathsheba, albeit near the end I didn't mind her as much as I did at the start. She was so stupid, annoying, blind, ignorant, and naive. David was also really annoying and so conceited, and both of them were so selfish.
The whole "I had a crush on David since I was eight" thing with Bathsheba grossed me out and was weird. She just drools over him every day? What kind of eight-year-old does that or thinks like that? All I thought about when I was that age was studying, reading books, eating, sleeping, and playing outside and imagining I was in Narnia or Middle-Earth. I have not yet met (and doubt I ever will) an eight-year-old who did nothing but gush over an older guy. Blech.
On the positive side of things, this story did have a good message about forgiveness and redemption. Bathsheba's remorse for what she did and her resolution to turn completely back to God was admirable, though I don't know how accurate that part is. (But the fact that Solomon was a godly man when he became king means that she at least raised him pretty well in that area, right? Idk.) It highlighted how important it is to both accept God's forgiveness and to forgive yourself and move on.
Furthermore, the story strongly emphasized God's goodness and mercy towards us. We're all sinners. It doesn't matter whether we have sinned a "small sin" or a "big sin." Sin is sin to God, yet He is so forgiving and merciful. The fact that He blessed Bathsheba with another son—and he becoming the next king—exhibits how He remembers our sins no more when we repent and turn our hearts to Him. (Hebrews 8:12; Isaiah 43:25)
Overall, this book was a so-so-read. However, there are still lessons that can be learned from it. I, personally, will probably not reread it for a while, if I do at all.
Unspoken is the 4th book in the Lineage of Grace series and tells the story of Bathsheba. I honestly didn't enjoy this one as much as the first three. It wasn't so much a retelling as a "based on a true story but with most of it made up" kind of story. (You know, like how a lot of "based on a true story" movies are.) The story was still about Bathsheba, and it still followed loosely the story we read in the Bible. I understand when you're writing a Bible retelling you often need to "read between the lines" and add things, since a lot of times there just aren't enough details to make much of a story. However, it felt like Rivers just added too much in this one. It felt like she just needed more material for the story and so added too much filler. I actually lost interest in the book and left it for a couple of days because I just didn't enjoy it. But I came back to it because I wanted to finish it already and start on another book.
I really didn't like Bathsheba, albeit near the end I didn't mind her as much as I did at the start. She was so stupid, annoying, blind, ignorant, and naive. David was also really annoying and so conceited, and both of them were so selfish.
The whole "I had a crush on David since I was eight" thing with Bathsheba grossed me out and was weird. She just drools over him every day? What kind of eight-year-old does that or thinks like that? All I thought about when I was that age was studying, reading books, eating, sleeping, and playing outside and imagining I was in Narnia or Middle-Earth. I have not yet met (and doubt I ever will) an eight-year-old who did nothing but gush over an older guy. Blech.
On the positive side of things, this story did have a good message about forgiveness and redemption. Bathsheba's remorse for what she did and her resolution to turn completely back to God was admirable, though I don't know how accurate that part is. (But the fact that Solomon was a godly man when he became king means that she at least raised him pretty well in that area, right? Idk.) It highlighted how important it is to both accept God's forgiveness and to forgive yourself and move on.
Furthermore, the story strongly emphasized God's goodness and mercy towards us. We're all sinners. It doesn't matter whether we have sinned a "small sin" or a "big sin." Sin is sin to God, yet He is so forgiving and merciful. The fact that He blessed Bathsheba with another son—and he becoming the next king—exhibits how He remembers our sins no more when we repent and turn our hearts to Him. (Hebrews 8:12; Isaiah 43:25)
Overall, this book was a so-so-read. However, there are still lessons that can be learned from it. I, personally, will probably not reread it for a while, if I do at all.
October 23, 2020
The reason I loved the first 3 books in this series is because the stories rang true to the Biblical account and the additional fiction made the characters more understandable. This one seems way off to me. I don't see any evidence of Bathsheba wanting David or having a choice in the matter. She was having a ritual bath required by law and was taken to the palace. As a woman of that time I really don't think it's realistic for her to refuse the King.
May 7, 2020
Bathsheba was a victim of a power rape. She had no right to say no to King David's advances, and Scripture makes it clear that she was innocent. River's portrays her as in love in David and committing adultery with him. It's a pretty big deal that this real woman is painted as immoral when in reality she was a victim of rape and abuse of power.
January 24, 2023
I appreciated this installment of the Lineage of Grace series the farther I progressed in the book. The initial chapters centering the age discrepancy between Bathsheba and David suggest that Bathsheba may have cultivated a girlish crush on the (at the time future) King were� awkward and uncomfortable. However, having persevered, I can see where the author is coming from in suggesting such foundations to the marriage between King David and Bathsheba, who first became Uriah’s wife.
I also appreciated how Rivers handled the scandal of both the initial adulterous transgression, David’s cover-up and Uriah’s (righteous) reaction. The events ripple out from the couple (who presumably had their own trust and betrayal challenges), through their households (as the first to realize something was amiss and absorb the betrayal), to their extended family (who were deeply wounded), and the kingdom beyond (who lost members due to the King’s order). This approach highlighted that sin impacts not just ourselves, but the community around us.
Another tricky topic explored in Unspoken is the political conflicts that crowd polygamous households as each mother represents both herself and her offspring to the sole husband. Royal polygamous households are especially treacherous, which the Biblical narrative illuminates in King David’s biography, as not only personal but royal power is in play. Rivers does a good job maintaining a separation between the royal household and the responsibilities of monarchial governance by communicating there is much happening in David’s rule that is off-stage from Bathsheba’s experience, some which overflows to the family rooms and some of which remains a mystery.
Contrasting the wickedness and worldliness of the above, Rivers introduces themes of grace, forgiveness and restoration through Bathsheba’s side of the story, which culminates in Bathsheba’s son, Solomon, securing the kingdom. Yet even as River’s writes of Bathsheba’s repentance and peace, she maintains the tensions that shaped Bathsheba’s life: confinement to the royal household, appeals to the King (whether husband or son), political machinations that threaten both her and her offspring, and the great divides between the ruler, his family, and his kingdom.
There is one scaffolding, employed by Rivers, that stumped me. I had to do some research in the Bible to unravel it; Francine Rivers constructed a genealogy for Bathsheba. It took me a while to find it in the Biblical text, but here it is:
“Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?�1 Samuel 11:3b
“And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people continually increased with Absalom.� 2 Samuel 15:12
“Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was taken as though one inquired of the word of God; so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom.� 2 Samuel 16:23
“These are the names of the mighty men whom David had� among the thirty...Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite� and Uriah the Hittite; thirty-seven in all…� 2 Samuel 23:8a, 24, 34b, 39
Rivers has made the assumption that Eliam, Bathsheba’s father, is the same Eliam, Ahithophel’s son. It’s not an unreasonable assumption, as the name Eliam only appears in the Old Testament in these two verses (1 Sam 11:3b and 2 Sam 23:34b). David’s account of his mighty men and Eliam and Uriah’s presence among them, provides a context in which Bathsheba’s family may have been one of those following David and his warriors through the period of Saul’s pursuit of David. It also puts her family in the position of desiring an alliance with another mighty man, Uriah, and in close proximity to King David. This link allows Rivers to image Bathsheba’s early years traveling with David, who is not yet King. It also connects Bathsheba to Ahithophel as his granddaughter. Ahithophel is not only a key character in the growth of David’s kingdom, but also a conspirator against David as he ages (after he has taken Bathsheba as his final wife); Ahithophel conspires with Absalom in his attempt to take the kingdom from his father. Could it be that Ahithophel, previously faithful to King David, betrayed King David to his son Absalom, because he was angry that King David had adulterously taken his granddaughter, Bathsheba, as his wife after killing her husband, the faithful Uriah? It is a reasonable theory.
We don’t know anything about Eliam beyond these two verses. However, you can learn more about Ahithophel and the role he played in King David’s reign, here:
The Biblical historical fiction I appreciate the most gets me into the text and context of the Biblical account. Unspoken certainly motivated me to engage with the text through fresh perspectives, which is why I recommend it.
As throughout the Lineage of Grace series, Bathsheba is followed by a 5-day Bible study. However, I was disappointed that the Bible study neither explored the reasons for/ against this genealogy that Francine Rivers uses to drive Bathsheba’s story forward, nor discussed Ahithophel, who was King David’s counselor and friend. In addition, the Bible study did not explore Bathsheba’s changing role when Solomon became King.
This made me look at the other Bible studies differently as well. I would prefer they establish a baseline for the line between Biblical fact and artistic fiction by structuring group discussion of the Biblical passages as well as decisions made by the author. This would bring more illumination to the text and the creative process, as well as provide a hedge against complete ingestion of fiction in neglect of both the real characters and real experiences documented in the Bible.
I was also somewhat annoyed by a question in the first section, “Look again at 2 Samuel 11:1-5. List the ways of escape you can see that David ignored. Do the same for the woman.� Clunk. Why not mention Bathsheba by name?
However, the Bible study did do a good job of using other passages throughout Scripture to explain David & Bathsheba’s sin, confession, restoration, and fellowship with God. Therefore, I cannot say it lacks value. Perhaps it is a milky study, which is more approachable to those being introduced to the Bible, while I desire something a bit meatier.
There’s more! I've read Francine Rivers Lineage of Grace series and will follow it up with the Sons of Encouragement. If you want to follow along, the final novella of Lineage of Grace is:
Unafraid: Mary, Rivers, 2001
/review/show...
Want to start at the beginning? The first Lineage of Grace novella was:
Unveiled: Tamar, Rivers, 2000
/review/show...
I also appreciated how Rivers handled the scandal of both the initial adulterous transgression, David’s cover-up and Uriah’s (righteous) reaction. The events ripple out from the couple (who presumably had their own trust and betrayal challenges), through their households (as the first to realize something was amiss and absorb the betrayal), to their extended family (who were deeply wounded), and the kingdom beyond (who lost members due to the King’s order). This approach highlighted that sin impacts not just ourselves, but the community around us.
Another tricky topic explored in Unspoken is the political conflicts that crowd polygamous households as each mother represents both herself and her offspring to the sole husband. Royal polygamous households are especially treacherous, which the Biblical narrative illuminates in King David’s biography, as not only personal but royal power is in play. Rivers does a good job maintaining a separation between the royal household and the responsibilities of monarchial governance by communicating there is much happening in David’s rule that is off-stage from Bathsheba’s experience, some which overflows to the family rooms and some of which remains a mystery.
Contrasting the wickedness and worldliness of the above, Rivers introduces themes of grace, forgiveness and restoration through Bathsheba’s side of the story, which culminates in Bathsheba’s son, Solomon, securing the kingdom. Yet even as River’s writes of Bathsheba’s repentance and peace, she maintains the tensions that shaped Bathsheba’s life: confinement to the royal household, appeals to the King (whether husband or son), political machinations that threaten both her and her offspring, and the great divides between the ruler, his family, and his kingdom.
There is one scaffolding, employed by Rivers, that stumped me. I had to do some research in the Bible to unravel it; Francine Rivers constructed a genealogy for Bathsheba. It took me a while to find it in the Biblical text, but here it is:
“Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?�1 Samuel 11:3b
“And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, from his city Giloh, while he was offering the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong, for the people continually increased with Absalom.� 2 Samuel 15:12
“Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was taken as though one inquired of the word of God; so was all the advice of Ahithophel regarded by both David and Absalom.� 2 Samuel 16:23
“These are the names of the mighty men whom David had� among the thirty...Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite� and Uriah the Hittite; thirty-seven in all…� 2 Samuel 23:8a, 24, 34b, 39
Rivers has made the assumption that Eliam, Bathsheba’s father, is the same Eliam, Ahithophel’s son. It’s not an unreasonable assumption, as the name Eliam only appears in the Old Testament in these two verses (1 Sam 11:3b and 2 Sam 23:34b). David’s account of his mighty men and Eliam and Uriah’s presence among them, provides a context in which Bathsheba’s family may have been one of those following David and his warriors through the period of Saul’s pursuit of David. It also puts her family in the position of desiring an alliance with another mighty man, Uriah, and in close proximity to King David. This link allows Rivers to image Bathsheba’s early years traveling with David, who is not yet King. It also connects Bathsheba to Ahithophel as his granddaughter. Ahithophel is not only a key character in the growth of David’s kingdom, but also a conspirator against David as he ages (after he has taken Bathsheba as his final wife); Ahithophel conspires with Absalom in his attempt to take the kingdom from his father. Could it be that Ahithophel, previously faithful to King David, betrayed King David to his son Absalom, because he was angry that King David had adulterously taken his granddaughter, Bathsheba, as his wife after killing her husband, the faithful Uriah? It is a reasonable theory.
We don’t know anything about Eliam beyond these two verses. However, you can learn more about Ahithophel and the role he played in King David’s reign, here:
The Biblical historical fiction I appreciate the most gets me into the text and context of the Biblical account. Unspoken certainly motivated me to engage with the text through fresh perspectives, which is why I recommend it.
As throughout the Lineage of Grace series, Bathsheba is followed by a 5-day Bible study. However, I was disappointed that the Bible study neither explored the reasons for/ against this genealogy that Francine Rivers uses to drive Bathsheba’s story forward, nor discussed Ahithophel, who was King David’s counselor and friend. In addition, the Bible study did not explore Bathsheba’s changing role when Solomon became King.
This made me look at the other Bible studies differently as well. I would prefer they establish a baseline for the line between Biblical fact and artistic fiction by structuring group discussion of the Biblical passages as well as decisions made by the author. This would bring more illumination to the text and the creative process, as well as provide a hedge against complete ingestion of fiction in neglect of both the real characters and real experiences documented in the Bible.
I was also somewhat annoyed by a question in the first section, “Look again at 2 Samuel 11:1-5. List the ways of escape you can see that David ignored. Do the same for the woman.� Clunk. Why not mention Bathsheba by name?
However, the Bible study did do a good job of using other passages throughout Scripture to explain David & Bathsheba’s sin, confession, restoration, and fellowship with God. Therefore, I cannot say it lacks value. Perhaps it is a milky study, which is more approachable to those being introduced to the Bible, while I desire something a bit meatier.
There’s more! I've read Francine Rivers Lineage of Grace series and will follow it up with the Sons of Encouragement. If you want to follow along, the final novella of Lineage of Grace is:
Unafraid: Mary, Rivers, 2001
/review/show...
Want to start at the beginning? The first Lineage of Grace novella was:
Unveiled: Tamar, Rivers, 2000
/review/show...
February 5, 2020
5 stars. This story spanning over many decades paints a beautiful picture of redemption. Review to come.
April 12, 2023
I was interested to read this story after finishing Rahab’s. But yuck. Another confused (at best) and dangerous Bathsheba account. “She had only herself to blame for this situation,� is but one example of the misplaced culpability. Or, “She knew if she [stopped him], David would REMEMBER HIMSELF and send her home where she belonged,� because David isn’t the problem here; she is. OR her mother telling her she murdered her husband, and she should’ve *done* AND *not done* things to prevent her situation. I could go on. Rachel Joy Welcher says in Talking Back to Purity Culture, the sexually abused are looking to how we talk about sexual abuse in church (paraphrased); this addition to the narrative isn’t helpful to say the LEAST. 1⭐️, but I did finish it.
November 15, 2015
This is my favorite book out of the Lineage of Grace series (much to my surprise). This book spoke to me in many ways. I seriously thought I would not like this one at all because of what I've read and known of Bathsheba- BUT I was proven wrong- she is definitely one of my favorite Bible stories now. I love how Rivers put this in a different light and has made it accessible to many people, bringing others to or closer to God.
December 10, 2014
Whenever I've considered the story of David and Bathsheba, I've never really thought much about what Bathsheba endured once she entered the palace. This book is as good as the others, creating one possible scenario from what we know from Scripture, but it opens my thoughts to other possibilities -- and deeper Scriptural truths.
March 18, 2024
SO DISAPPOINTING! loved the first 3 books in the series, but this is garbage and biblically false. Bathsheba did not lure David. She was blameless, according to scripture, but the author falls for the same tired tropes spread like lies through generations, that Bathsheba, the victim, was responsible for David's downfall.
July 10, 2012
Unspoken completely changed my way of thinking about Bathsheba...and David. Thank you, Mrs. Rivers!
Here's my favorite quote: "Maybe it's only those who've made such chaos of their lives who can understand the heights and depths of God's mercy" (147).
Here's my favorite quote: "Maybe it's only those who've made such chaos of their lives who can understand the heights and depths of God's mercy" (147).
November 27, 2024
It was a good book, the first part of the story, the unwanted marriage, forbidden love and adultery, i love how this story discusses these topics accordingly and makes it quite an experience reading! But when all of that happens the plot takes a back seat and we are just introduced to her sons (why are there five of them and why are like most of them not even important in the story) and why when something horrific happened to one of their sons I didn't even care since they were introduced so far and almost at the end of the story.
March 25, 2024
Okay, i loved this book. Francine's got a really good writing style and she did a great job describing Bathsheba's perspective.
BUT WTH
The age gap.😭😭
It was concerning. An 8 year old in love with a 25 year old?? Yeah...
BUT WTH
The age gap.😭😭
It was concerning. An 8 year old in love with a 25 year old?? Yeah...
June 9, 2009
I was surprised that Rivers included Bathsheba in her lineage of grace series. After all who was Bathsheba but the women who led David into adultery. However I learned so much more about her from this book and also so much more about God’s grace and mercy. That no matter what are sin God can still use you. After all everyone sins and there will be consequences for your sins (Bathsheba and David’s sins led to repercussions for 1,000 of people) but despite all that God blessed her because of her willingness to confess, ask forgiveness and continue to lead a life for God. Another great book in the series.
One note about the whole series: I would recommend reading a little of the book and then stopping to reflect and complete one section of the “seek and find� chapters rather than doing them all once you have read the entire book. You will get more out of the reading that way.
One note about the whole series: I would recommend reading a little of the book and then stopping to reflect and complete one section of the “seek and find� chapters rather than doing them all once you have read the entire book. You will get more out of the reading that way.
January 10, 2017
Mysogenistic hypocritical crap. I bought this book by accident, but read it anyway. God apparently talks to these people relentlessly--but only to the men. Bathsheba's married, but David is all, "God said you should have sex with me." Then he kills her husband. Later one of his sons by his harem of wives raped his daughter, but God is cool with that. It goes on and on until David is so freaking old that he has to cuddle a virgin at night. It's also a little strange how God is OK with pillaging cities and killing people so David can add to his crown collection. But hey, I'm just a stupid female, so WTF would I know?
May 23, 2017
A step up from the previous volumes in the series.
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September 11, 2022I so love and appreciate Francine’s storytelling abilities.
She breathed life into the David and Bathsheba story for me. While the details are historical fiction, how Bathsheba must’ve felt and experienced as a result of sin was very realistic and insightful. The consequences lead me to tears, and the encouragement meant to be given, was absorbed.
I’ve always appreciated storytelling from multiple character narratives and the author has mastered this process in my opinion (throughout the books I’ve read of hers, anyways).
“Bathsheba is a woman who received unlimited grace� is an excellent summary that ended in a final prayer from her that both encapsulated the full book and ended it in the fullness of hope that God has extended to each of us. Certainly a relatable prayer for myself and I can imagine, many others. Would recommend.
Four stars due to the idolization of David from Bathsheba feeling too farfetched and lost the sense of grounding the rest of the story had. While this is a plot point throughout the full story, the richness of the moral lessons redeemed this aspect for me.
A reminder that this book is fiction and therefore, liberties that are more than scripture and vastly different than scripture, have been taken.
She breathed life into the David and Bathsheba story for me. While the details are historical fiction, how Bathsheba must’ve felt and experienced as a result of sin was very realistic and insightful. The consequences lead me to tears, and the encouragement meant to be given, was absorbed.
I’ve always appreciated storytelling from multiple character narratives and the author has mastered this process in my opinion (throughout the books I’ve read of hers, anyways).
“Bathsheba is a woman who received unlimited grace� is an excellent summary that ended in a final prayer from her that both encapsulated the full book and ended it in the fullness of hope that God has extended to each of us. Certainly a relatable prayer for myself and I can imagine, many others. Would recommend.
Four stars due to the idolization of David from Bathsheba feeling too farfetched and lost the sense of grounding the rest of the story had. While this is a plot point throughout the full story, the richness of the moral lessons redeemed this aspect for me.
A reminder that this book is fiction and therefore, liberties that are more than scripture and vastly different than scripture, have been taken.
May 21, 2021
Sakes alive this was another rough one. I have to admit I wasn't super fond of the idea of Bathsheba being rather obsessed with David from the time of being a little girl. It really painted Bathsheba out to be a not so great character almost from the start. Since we don't know her past before her marriage to Uriah, the author was able to create any past she wanted. Not sure that I liked this one.
Once again, her family, mostly her mother isn't very kind to her. I liked the relationship she had with her grandfather from the time she was young.
It was interesting to see David's struggles through the author's eyes as well. He was rather as I expected him and this period of his life played out how I imagined.
Reading as an author brings to life Biblical people is quite an experience. When it's infused with Scripture I love it even more! I appreciated that while much of the beginning of the story was left to the author's imagination, Bathsheba's time with David after she moves to the palace and beyond was really powerful.
I wasn't a super huge fan of the narrator, especially when it was the emotional parts of the story. It was a little much for me.
Once again, her family, mostly her mother isn't very kind to her. I liked the relationship she had with her grandfather from the time she was young.
It was interesting to see David's struggles through the author's eyes as well. He was rather as I expected him and this period of his life played out how I imagined.
Reading as an author brings to life Biblical people is quite an experience. When it's infused with Scripture I love it even more! I appreciated that while much of the beginning of the story was left to the author's imagination, Bathsheba's time with David after she moves to the palace and beyond was really powerful.
I wasn't a super huge fan of the narrator, especially when it was the emotional parts of the story. It was a little much for me.
August 25, 2024
I’ve read this a number of times, mainly because it’s such a quick read perfect for rainy days and mindless “entertainment�. This read I did noticed some dragging and plenty of repetition. Especially toward the end of Bathsheba’s life she reflects continually on that ONE PIVOTAL event-adultery mixed with murder. In my opinion it’s already been reflected upon throughout the book: it is of course the main storyline of remembrance of her life, but the book could have perhaps been made a tad shorter with less of this repetition. I cannot fault the author for keeping it to the point though, as this is by definition a novella: “work of fiction that is longer than a short story but shorter than a novel�, unlike most of River’s books.
The twists of ideas in this retelling fill holes in the biblical story and keep me enthralled whenever I zip through. I’m not sure I agree with the spin on Bathsheba growing up in love with David and giving into her own lust when he calls for her after seeing her bathing� but Francine is the queen of Christian romance (even if it reads unrealistic at times)! At the very least this book makes me dive deeper into the Word and the true context and messages of her story.
The twists of ideas in this retelling fill holes in the biblical story and keep me enthralled whenever I zip through. I’m not sure I agree with the spin on Bathsheba growing up in love with David and giving into her own lust when he calls for her after seeing her bathing� but Francine is the queen of Christian romance (even if it reads unrealistic at times)! At the very least this book makes me dive deeper into the Word and the true context and messages of her story.
April 4, 2025
The story of Bathsheba is one of abundant grace and mercy. Although this is a historical fiction, the author still does a good job showing how gracious God is to us sinners. A good reminder for me today. However, I didn’t like the way Francine painted Bathsheba. I know we can’t be sure of exactly what happened but I thought it pretty bold (in a negative sense) to turn Bathsheba into a women who, since the age of eight, longed to spend time with David and be his wife. The Bible does not depict any extended period of lust from Bathsheba prior to the incident so I just felt a little icky that the story portrayed her to be lusting after him basically all her life. Like I said, we can’t know exactly what feelings and thoughts were going on, but I thought it a bit of a leap. I understand this is fiction but when it’s based off the Bible I tend to approach with caution.
May 5, 2019
Alright, so I read this and I have to say it was some what insightful, but overall, I didn’t enjoy it all that much.
The story was good, flawed, but good. I liked seeing it from Bathsheba’s point of view more than David’s, obviously haha!
Francine would have had to do a lot of research for this, and the Biblical history is great! The characters? Eh, not so much.
The story was good, flawed, but good. I liked seeing it from Bathsheba’s point of view more than David’s, obviously haha!
Francine would have had to do a lot of research for this, and the Biblical history is great! The characters? Eh, not so much.
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