The Bathsheba Battle

Most of us are familiar with the story in 2 Samuel 11-12 that tells the story of David and Bathsheba but it is through this book that I have begun to better comprehend this story. Bathsheba experienced shame, fear, and great suffering and I have a whole new understanding of her dilemna. She knew that the penalty for refusing to answer the King's summons could be severe and her husband wasn't there to protect her. She went and we know what occurred but have we ever really considered what she truly felt? I feel sure that her fear, shame, and grief was overwhelming but what about the anger? She surely struggled in her ability to forgive King David. Author Natalie Chambers Snapp has done an admirable job in sharing modern-day experiences and comparing them to David and Bathsheba's story. The Bathsheba Battle has twelve chapters, among them Turning Away from Shame; Turning Away from Anger; Turning Away from Comparison; Turning Away from Fear; Permission to Grieve; Forgiving Others--- and Yourself; and Turning to Hope. At the end of each of these chapters she has chosen appropriate scripture for Turning to God and listed Questions for Reflection or Discussion to help us further expand our understanding. This book is filled with many nuggets of wisdom and many wonderful statements and I especially love her reminder that 'David and Bathsheba both could have given their anger permission to turn them away from God. Instead, they chose to seek God rather than run from Him.' This is a book that touches on many of the human emotions that we experience as humans: shame, anger, fear, grieving, forgiveness, and hope. The Bathsheba Battle is perfect for personal bible study but I can see it being used in a woman's Bible study group. I received a complimentary digital copy from the author but I am not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts.