Bathsheba was an Israelite queen in the Hebrew Bible, identified as the daughter of Eliam (2 Samuel 11:3) or Ammiel (1 Chronicles 3:5). An Eliam mentioned elsewhere is described as the son of Ahithophel the Gilohite, leading some traditions to connect Bathsheba to that family. She was the wife of Uriah the Hittite.

Her story is recounted primarily in the Book of Samuel. King David saw her bathing from his palace roof, desired her, and summoned her. They had sexual relations, and she became pregnant. Attempting to conceal this, David recalled Uriah from battle, hoping he would sleep with his wife and believe the child to be his. When Uriah refused out of loyalty to his fellow soldiers, David ordered his general Joab to place him on the front lines during the siege of Rabbah, where he was killed. After a period of mourning, Bathsheba became David’s wife and bore his child.

David’s actions displeased God, who sent the prophet Nathan to confront him through a parable about a rich man stealing a poor man’s lamb. When David condemned the man in the story, Nathan declared that David himself was guilty. As punishment, Nathan foretold turmoil within David’s house and public humiliation involving his wives. Although David repented, Bathsheba’s first child with him fell ill and died after seven days.

Bathsheba later gave birth to Solomon, who succeeded David as king, making her the queen mother (Gebirah) of Israel. In David’s old age, she played a decisive role in securing Solomon’s succession over his older brothers, based on David’s earlier promises. Nathan’s prophecy of turmoil was fulfilled when David’s son Absalom led a rebellion and publicly took his father’s concubines, symbolizing divine retribution.

Bathsheba’s story has been widely interpreted across religious traditions. Jewish sources expand on her background, Christianity includes her in Jesus’ genealogy, and Ethiopian Orthodoxy venerates her as a saint, while Islamic tradition rejects aspects of the biblical account. Scholars continue to debate whether she was a victim of royal abuse or an active participant. Her story has profoundly influenced art, literature, and theology, often symbolizing themes of power, desire, repentance, and divine judgment.

All published appearances of Bathsheba from before January 1, )-(95)}} are public domain in the US.

Some notable appearances are listed below:

* The Bible
** Book of Samuel
* The Story of Bathsheba (1874)

* The Adventure of the Crooked Man (1893): This Sherlock Holmes story uses the David/Bathsheba story as its main structure.

* David and Bethsabe (1588)

* Bathsheba, Hans Memling, c. 1480
* Bathsheba at Her Bath (Rembrandt), the most famous painting of the subject.
* Bathsheba at her Bath (Veronese), 1575
* Bathsheba (painting), Artemisia Gentileschi (and Viviano Codazzi, Domenico Gargiulo, 1637
* Bathsheba at her Bath (Ricci), 1720s
* Bathsheba at the Fountain, Rubens, c. 1635

* David and Bathsheba (who is unnamed) are referenced in the Leonard Cohen song "Hallelujah" (released 1985) ("you saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you").

*[https://comicvine.gamespot.com/bathsheba/4005-36741/issues-cover/ ComicVine]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathsheba Wikipedia]
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