Unspoken: Bathsheba

Francine Rivers has become one of my favorite Christian fiction authors due to her ability to bring me right into the story. I love the history of the Bible and the when the stories are enhanced just enough to make the story real it is so exciting and almost like going back in time. It's like watching a movie that is based on a true story with the embellishments used by the movie production team. Francine's research is impeccable, and I recommend her books to all! Her books are the ones I loan out and ask that they be returned to me.

This book is based on the romance between Bathsheba and King David, from the bible. It is full of emotion and just written fabulously. The emotion Francine Rivers puts in to the book is just so grabbing. In it, bathsheba is madly in love with David. She is so in love with him, that it hurts; and the way ms rivers describes that made me fall in love with David! Bathshebas story is all about Gods mercy and his neverending grace. Bathsheba and David commited a terrible sin, and had to pay for it dearly; bathshebas own family disowned her and she was spat upon is hatred, plus her first born son died and she had to watch her beloved love, david share his affection with dozens of other wives and concubines! Nevertheless, Bathsheba sought out God and raised her children to be great children of God. Gods mercy was spread upon both Bathsheba and David as they repented and got a taste of Gods love and tender mercy. A must read for any believer.

I honestly think that this is the best book of the series--but of course, I haven't read the last one yet. There is a humanness to Bathsheba and David that I didn't get out of the Biblical version. The author portrays David as a humble man, who forgets his role as king and spiritual leader of his people to focus on his own physical desires. This leads to chaos. David eventually comes back to his true role as king. Bathsheba was a little girl with a dream. She grew into a woman who was forced to marry against that dream, and then betrayed that marriage. But after all the heartache that she had and that she caused, she came to have a relationship with God that allowed her peace of spirit. The end of the book brought tears to my eyes. I think that everyone should read this book and learn how one action can change the destiny of an entire people.

Francine Rivers continues her series of Lineage of Grace, with the story of Bathsheba, one of the best examples we have of the power of God's forgiveness. Bathsheba's early life is described, from her admiration of David to her love for her grandfather Ahitophel. She grows up and unwillingly becomes the wife of Uriah, still clinging to her love for David. The Biblical events of her affair with David are narrated, along with the guilt they feel from betraying Uriah. Even after Bathsheba and David are married, their troubles do not end. Family intrigue becomes a way of life and a tragic death mars their marriage. Bathsheba learns in a painful way the price of disobeying God, but as the book continues we see her redemption and her realization that her first love and loyalty must be for her Heavenly Father.

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Thus begins one of the greatest psalms ever written, and is the strong message I received from this spirit-filled novel. The description of Bathsheba, the fourth woman figure in the lineage of Christ, is a vivid example of God's redemption and unconditional love. The first outhstanding feature is the introduction of Bathsheba. Although history surrounds her name with stories of adultery, scandal, and murder, the examination of her emotions in the novel gave a complete understanding of the encounter and cost of sin. True, at a first glance at the basic story, it would seem Bathsheba and David deserved what the received for their sin. But the novel shows the greater importance that God places on repentance. And even more so, it shows that He grants unlimited restoration! One word of caution. The novel is written in bold simplicity and detail. It calls for open-minded students of God's word, those who are willing to examine God's will as just and marvel in His judgement. From the inspiring presentations of David, the meritorious behavior of Uriah, the admirable personality of Abigail, and the redeemed portrayal of Bathsheba, the story causes those who are willing to lose the "bad-girl" appraisal of Bathsheba. Though these biblical characters' faults and triumphs, God contiues to demonstrate His providence. And that, indeed, is everything we need.

In River's latest novella, she recreates the scandalous and steamy story of King David and Bathsheba. Brought up a "good girl", the story of David and Bathsheba seemed so unrelated and removed from my life. While reading Unspoken, however, I found myself in Bathsheba, matching her emotion for emotion, and for the first time, actually understanding her. The stone that I had been holding against her slipped out of my hand, as through this book, I heard Jesus whisper, "Let he without sin throw the first stone". For the first time, I am fully aware of why God put this tale of adultery/betrayal/murder in His sacred Book. Bathsheba's story, as I previously thought, is NOT about sex or murder. Rather, it is a shining example of how God's grace and mercy covers all sin, separating it from us as far as the east is from the west, and working through our failures. Bathsheba's story is our own story each and every time we fail, with the promise that redemption beyond anything we could ever earn is within our grasp, held out by the Holy One. Bathsheba's name, infamous for her sin, should instead be known for the forgiveness and mercy that she received. This story, coupled with the self - examining Bible study in the back of the book, makes this a real find.