Bathsheba Speaks | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Bathsheba Speaks | Previous Challenge Entry
By Terry R A Eissfeldt
06/11/26
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(Lights rise as a stately woman in her thirties enters the stage carrying a scroll. She is dressed as a queen of Israel from the time of David.)

(Deliver in a defensive tone and stance. Perhaps hands on hips and head held high or swinging the scroll around)

“It didn’t start with a glance. And I didn’t seduce him.

I, Bathsheba, am not David’s greatest sin.

I know that’s how it’s framed.. how our story is used to flaunt the warnings of adultery. But let me bring this story into the light of the twenty-first century.

It’s not adultery when there is an age and a power differential. In a church setting this is called clergy sexual abuse. Not adultery.

He was the king. Do you really think I had a choice?

In my time women had no rights and the king could take whatever he wanted …even someone else’s wife.”

(Beat - perhaps a loud sigh - shake shoulders down - open the scroll. Tone serious - like a teacher but not talking down to the audience.)

“Let’s read Samuel’s account … from the beginning.

‘Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel….But David stayed at Jerusalem.’ 1 Samuel 11:1

First, David decided to sent Joab and not go himself. Why?

That really is the question isn’t it? (Anger rises here - but don’t let it take over. Imitate how David would talk and act when supposing his actions)

Complacency? Perhaps he thought ‘I don’t need to be there myself. The Lord is on our side.’

Or pride? ‘Why should I go? I’m the king. I trust my leaders.’

Maybe selfishness? ‘I’ve done enough killing for this people. Even they say I’ve killed ten thousands.’

(Beat - another sigh or a slumping of the shoulders)

I don’t know what was going on in his head before he sent his men for me. I was washing myself inside the house.

(Let the anger rise again but not as strong)

Yes, you heard that right …in my house. It wasn’t me who was on a roof. It was David.

(Beat - contain anger and read the scroll matter of factly)

‘Now when evening came Davide arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king’s house and from the roof he saw a woman bathing…’ 2 Samuel 1:2

He saw me. He looked. He didn’t stop looking. David could have turned away and called one of his many wives or concubines to his quarters…but he didn’t. He gave into temptation.

James, our Lord’s brother, taught that ‘..each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.’ James 1:14

(Beat - say to self - not about David or to the audience)

Lust…craving….desire….hunger….thirst….that was the second step in David’s greatest sin. Not me. Not a woman.

(Beat - say slowly with great emotion so that the last line is in full heart break)

‘Then when lust is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.’ James 1:15

“Death….why does sin always end in death?”

(Slumps to the floor sobbing. Black out)

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