A Good Shepherd Sacred Story David and Bathsheba

Adapted by: Brenda J. Stobbe

------.------_ .. ' -_._---- DAVID AND BATHSHEBA .... MA TERIALS

- small wicker basket to hold:

- wooden David figure - wooden Uriah figure - wooden Joab figure - wooden Bathsheba figure - wooden messenger figure

DA VID AND BATHSHEBA .... II SAMUEL 11

ACTIONS WORDS

After speaking, stand and get the story from Watch carefully where I go to get this story its shelf. Return to the circle and sit down, so you will know where to find it if you placing the basket next to you. choose to make this your work today or another day.

Allow 10-15 seconds of silence while you All the words to this story are inside of me. reverently stroke one or more of the wooden If you will make silence with me, I will find figures to center yourself and the children. all the words to this sacred story of God's people.

Place David in the center of the storytelling David had been king in Judah for many area. years. He was married and had children.

Place Uriah and Joab to the far left of It was the spring of the year and the army David. of David went to battle, but David stayed in Jerusalem.

Move David slightly to the right. Late one afternoon David went walking upon the flat roof of his home.

Place Bathsheba to the right of David. From the roof he saw a very beautiful woman taking a bath.

Touch first Bathsheba and then Uriah. David knew she was called Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah.

Move David back to center. Place the But David sent messengers to bring messenger near Bathsheba and then move Bathsheba to the palace. both back left, near to David.

Put the messenger back in the basket and Then David had sexual intercourse with Bathsheba. (Optional wording: And David move David and Bathsheba very close and Bathsheba were together as only a together. husband and wife should be.)

Later Bathsheba went back to her own Move Bathsheba back to the right. house.

Touch the messenger briefly. The messenger was afraid that David would be very angry at the news.

Touch the prone Uriah figure. But Joab told him, "Tell him that Uriah has also been killed."

Move the messenger to the right, next to When David heard that Uriah had been David. Shake your head as you speak about killed he told the messenger not to worry "bad things". because bad things happen in war.

Place Uriah back in the basket and move After Uriah was buried, David married Bathsheba left, to stand by David. Bathsheba. And Bathsheba and David had a baby boy.

Lift both hands, palms up, to eye level in But Yahweh was very unhappy with what front of you and speak very softly, but David had done. intensely.

WONDERING QUESTIONS:

I wonder how David felt when he told Joab to kill Uriah?

I wonder how Bathsheba felt when she found out Uriah was dead?

I wonder ifJoab ever said anything to David about what he did?

I wonder what God was thinking about David?

Carefully place all the wooden figures back Watch carefully how I put these materials into the story basket. away, so you will know how to handle them if you choose to make this story your work today or another day.

After speaking, stand and carry the basket Watch carefully where I return this story, so back to the shelf. Then return to the circle you will know where to find it if you choose and sit down. to make this your work today or another day.

5 forgiven, when he acknowledges his sin. However, he will still have to live with the consequences of that sin.

This story will not be as immediately powerful for the young children as are some of the other stories. As the children grow and develop they will remember this story and begin to base their understanding of living justly and righteously on what they heard here, as children. The suggested discussion questions give older children a chance to follow this story to its point of repentance and forgiveness. The questions do not shy away from David's act of adultery, nor do they pretend it did not have consequences. Instead, the questions help the children understand that even when God forgives us, we must take responsibility for our own morality and live with the consequences of our choices.

Our first two wondering questions deal with the feelings of both David and Bathsheba at the death of Uriah. They both must have had mixed feelings. Relief, guilt, sadness and maybe, some anger. Bathsheba is scarcely addressed in this story. I will not pretend that she had no choice in what she did, however, her feelings seem not to be taken into account at all. Nor does the author lay the sin at Bathsheba's feet. Notice II Samuel 11 :27 says the thing David did displeased God. Women had very little power in the time of David. The author recognizes that with power comes responsibility. That is something David did not want to deal with in this account.

The third wondering question talks about Joab. We wonder if he ever said anything to David. How difficult it must have been for David to function the rest of his life knowing that Joab knew everything he'd done. We don't know if Joab ever said anything, maybe he didn't have to.

Finally, we wonder what Yahweh was thinking about what David had done. The children will be very quick to understand that God was unhappy with David. They still see their parents as "god" figures or authority figures and they know what it's like to "displease" their parents. They know they may suffer consequences and they will understand the power of God's displeasure, probably more than adults. I would not try to water down God's displeasure. God is saddened and even angry at the way God's children sometimes abuse their bodies, their minds and their power. We are foolish to pretend otherwise.

SUGGESTED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR OLDER CHILDREN:

The story of David and Bathsheba does not end here. Read the rest of the story in II Samuel 12. What did Nathan do and say? What happened to the baby? Did God forgive David? Did David and Bathsheba have any other children?

David sinned against people and against God. Why, when we hurt another person do we also hurt God?

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