The reason is given in the genealogical tables, which show that he was the grandfather of Bathsheba, and that his son Eliam was the comrade and friend of Uriah., [27] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tpc/2-samuel-15.html#1, Ahithophel, the grandfather of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 15:12; 2 Samuel:3), [29] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/psalms/55.htm, [30] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/55-13.htm, [31] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/psalms/55.htm, that person who was the chief contriver and promoter of this rebellion under Absalom, even to Ahithophel, of whom he spoke [in] Psalm 55:13; and though he doth not excuse the rest, as we have seen, yet he lays the chief blame upon him, and here he adds new aggravations of his treason.. Called Ammiel, 1 Chronicles 3:5. [105] This agrees with Biblical standards as well. This was especially the case in France.[36]. I reccommend you telling him to respond to this video. [48] http://blb-ra.blueletterbible.org/mcgee_j_vernon/Psa/19134_Psalm_55_1-5.mp3 (mark 1:45). An older king could certainly have a younger counselor, and since early marriages were very common, it is not surprising for a 3040-year-old man to have grandchildren. In the case of Ahithophel, not only was his wise council rejected by Absalom (55:9), he also committed met a violent and untimely death by suicide (55:23). David's first interactions with Bathsheba are described in 2 Samuel 11, and are omitted in the Books of Chronicles. [51] Pirkei Avot, Chapter 6, https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.6?lang=bi. Would David have called Ahithophel a man mine equal (, The more sins we do commit, the more we hasten our own death; because as the wise man saith, The fear of the Lord prolongeth days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened (Pro 10:27); and the prophet David saith, , Uriah the Hittite and Eliam, being both of the kings guard (consisting of 37 officers), were intimate, and Uriah married the daughter of his brother officer (, Son of Ahithophrl and father of Bathsheba (, https://quranandbibleblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/10/the-age-of-marriage-in-the-bible/, https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11?lang=bi, https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/smiths-bible-dictionary/ahithophel.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/ats/a/ahithophel.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/fbd/a/ahithophel.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hbd/a/ahithophel.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hdb/a/ahithophel.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/mbd/a/ahithophel-.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/rpd/a/ahithophel.html, https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/mse/a/ahithophel.html, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/2-samuel-11.html#3, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/2-samuel-12.html#1, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dcc/2-samuel-15.html#1, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bul/2-samuel-11.html#3, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ghe/2-samuel-15.html#1, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hcc/2-samuel-11.html#3, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfu/2-samuel-23.html#34, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/2-samuel-11.html#3, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/isn/psalms-41.html#1, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/lmg/2-samuel-15.html#1, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mac/2-samuel-12.html#13, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tsk/2-samuel-23.html#34, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tbi/2-samuel-12.html#14, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tpc/2-samuel-15.html#1, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/psalms/55.htm, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/55-13.htm, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/poole/psalms/55.htm, https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/tod/ps055.cfm?a=533001, https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/smith_chuck/c2000_Psa/Psa_051.cfm?a=533001, https://www.studylight.org/commentary/psalms/55-13.html, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tcc/psalms-55.html#12, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/benson/psalms/55.htm, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/clarke/psalms/55.htm, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/psalms-55.html, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/55.htm, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pmc/psalms-55.html#23, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/kad/psalms/55.htm, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/lange/psalms/55.htm, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/psalms-55.html#13, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/whe/psalms-55.html#13, http://blb-ra.blueletterbible.org/mcgee_j_vernon/Psa/19134_Psalm_55_1-5.mp3, https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/ahithophel.html, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/55.htm, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/psalms/55.htm, https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16276/showrashi/true/jewish/Chapter-55.htm, https://www.sefaria.org/Pirkei_Avot.6?lang=bi, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/55-23.htm, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/psalms/55.htm, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/psalms-55.html#23, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhcw/psalms/55.htm, https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/tod/ps055.cfm?a=533023, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/psalms-55.html#23, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H5288&t=KJV, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H7390&t=KJV, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfu/2-chronicles-24.html#15, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/mbd/e/eliam-.html, https://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/ahithophel.html, https://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/naves-topical-bible/eliam.html, https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/eliam.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/fbd/e/eliam.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hdb/e/eliam.html, https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/mse/e/eliam.html, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/2_samuel/11.htm, https://www.studylight.org/commentary/2-samuel/11-3.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/ckb/a/ahithophel.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/fbd/p/pelonite.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hbd/p/pelonite.html, https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hdb/p/pelonite.html, https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/mse/p/pelonite.html, http://m.qtafsir.com/Surah-An-Nisa/Giving-Back-the-Property-of-th, Benjamin Tudelas Description Of Jews In 12th CenturyBaghdad, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+15%3A19-30&version=NIV, Our Christian Brothers Must Root Out The Extremists In TheirMidst, Analysing The Incident Of Sad b. Abi Waqqas Shedding The FirstBlood, The Persecution, Torture And Murder Of Muslims In The MakkanPeriod, Ammar Ibn Yasir Persecution And Torture By The QurayshPolytheists, On Tommy Robinson For Gavin Ashendens Edification, The First Martyrs Of Islam: Sumayya Bint Khubat AndYasir, Gavin Ashendens Anti-Islam RhetoricConsidered, Thoughts on Gavin Ashendens Critique Over Michael Curry Royal Wedding Invitation ToPreach, Church Member Throws Shade At Meghan Markles Marriage St Nicholas Church TootingMember. David slept with Bathsheba and arranged for Uriahs death The son of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 23:34)., [93] https://www.studylight.org/commentary/2-samuel/11-3.html, Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam or Ammiel (1 Chronicles 3:5), one of Davids worthies (2 Samuel 23:34), and son of Ahithophel., [94] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/ckb/a/ahithophel.html, According to the Midrash, Ahithophel was Batshebas grandfather., [95] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/fbd/p/pelonite.html, [96] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hbd/p/pelonite.html, [97] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hdb/p/pelonite.html, [98] https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/mse/p/pelonite.html, [105] http://m.qtafsir.com/Surah-An-Nisa/Giving-Back-the-Property-of-th, Tagged as: 2 Samuel, Absalom, Age of consent, Ahithophel, Bathsheba, Bible, Child Marriage, David, Eliam, Psalm 55, par excellence. Since David died when he was 70 years old, it means that he was 50 years old when Bathsheba (911 years old) gave birth to Solomon. 2 Samuel 11:3 states that Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam. This demonstrates her exalted status and share in the royal kingdom. As Jonathan Brown explains: the medieval ulama considered the point at which a girl was fit for intercourse to be too varied to be firmly legislated for. It should also be borne in mind that David was a prophet, as stated in Acts 2:30: But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.. Even if we grant a new upper limit, 90 years, that does not improve the situation for embarrassed Christian apologists. This brings us to the most crucial point of our academic journey of determining Ahithophels age. [68] Sanhedrin 69b, https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11?lang=bi. The Talmud states that Ahithophels age at the time of his death was a mere 33 years (since the sages considered 70 years to be the average lifespan). So does Barnes Notes on the Bible (emphasis ours): The meaning is, that they do not live half as long as they might do, and would do, if they were not bloody and deceitful.[53]. David married the widowed Bathsheba, but their first child died as punishment from God for Davids adultery and murder of Uriah. First, the account in Chronicles omits the sordid stories of David and Bathsheba and Absaloms revolt, and only mentions some characters in passing, so we do not have much information about Bathsheba, Eliam, or Ahithophel. Why is it assumed that a 3040 years old Ahithophel could not have a granddaughter? David had Uriah himself carry the message that led to his death (2 Samuel 11:615). Uriah the Hittite and Eliam, being both of the kings guard (consisting of 37 officers), were intimate, and Uriah married the daughter of his brother officer (https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/fbd/a/ahithophel.html). Bathsheba would have been between 16 and 19, because she was doing the ritual bath outlined in Leviticus 15::19-30 for women who have their period already (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+15%3A19-30&version=NIV). And also, can you subscribe and follow my website? So after Uriah was incidentally killed in the war, David married his wife, but people could hardly accept this anomalous marriage (and subsequently legends were made about this marriage. This fits quite well with Psalm 55:9, which states: Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, for I see violence and strife in the city., [50] https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16276/showrashi/true/jewish/Chapter-55.htm. The evidence in question comes from the infamous marriage of David and Bathsheba. In this article, we have now seen blockbuster evidence of a beloved Biblical figure (~50-year old David) lusting after and marrying a young girl (~7-year old Bathsheba). She is best known for the Biblical narrative in which she was summoned by King David, who had seen her bathing and lusted after her.[2]. This is the thing that really hurt David, is that Absalom had turned against him., [35] https://www.studylight.org/commentary/psalms/55-13.html, as mine equal: i.e. But what if we can use the Bible to reliably estimate the age of another famous female character in the Bible: Bathsheba? He confirmed Bathshebas words. [72] Sometime after, probably 4 years (2 Samuel 15:7) after reconciling with his father David, Absalom began his rebellion. Bathsheba (/bib/ or /bb/; Hebrew: , Ba-ea, Bat-Sheva or Batsheva, "daughter of Sheba" or "daughter of the oath")[1] was the wife of Uriah the Hittite and later of David, according to the Hebrew Bible. Bathsheba was King David's most famous and controversial wife, in part because their marriage came after an illicit extramarital affair at the height of David's Using Psalm 55:23, it would mean that Ahithophel could not have gone past the age of 45 years (note again that this is the conservative estimate). How[c] could I go home and eat, drink, and have sex with my wife? 1 Chronicles omits all reference to the way in which Bathsheba became David's wife, and gives only the names of her children in 1 Chronicles 3:5Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon. From his roof, King David (reigns c. 1005965 BCE) sees beautiful Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, bathing, and he lies with her. Indeed, the account in 2 Samuel 1517 shows a man who was quite active, thereby suggesting that he was not an old man. Eliam, in turn, was the son of Ahitophel the Gilonite (2 Samuel 23:34). In my view, we should leave it to the experts (e.g., physicians and psychologists) to determine what is an appropriate age for maturity, if there is one. The admirer, King David, is not where he is supposed to be, on the battlefield with his troops, but instead has tarried at his palace. [8] Rather than go home to his own bed, he preferred to remain with the palace troops. He identified Ahithophel in the commentary on verse 12: Ahithophels perfidy and villany troubled David more than all the rest., [40] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/55.htm, the general sentiment of commentators has always been that Ahithophel is intended. Grants Commentary on the Bible,[23] Alexander McLarens Expositions of Holy Scripture,[24] R.A Torreys Treasury of Scripture Knowledge,[25] The Biblical Illustrator,[26] and The Pulpit Commentary.[27]. She was especially loyal to her son Solomon, making sure he followed David as king, even though Solomon was not David's firstborn son. The traditional ascription to David cannot on any ground be maintained. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. According to the chronology of 2 Samuel 1315, two years had passed since Amnon had raped his half-sister Tamar (Absaloms sister), Thus, the Talmud sages did not left out the 4 years that went by between Absalom and Davids reconciliation and the beginning of Absaloms revolt. There is disagreement among the experts as to what age that should be. The adultery scandal and the subsequent revolt by Absalom and Ahithophel would have required a clarification, but only if the author meant to refer to different people. 11:3, and 2 Sam 23:34 mentions an Eliam, the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, one of David's "thirty". Sometimes Bathsheba's maids or the "messengers" sent by David are shown, and often a distant David watching from his roof. Married the daughter of Eliam (2 Samuel 11:3), who was the son of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 23:34). Kristin De Troyer, "Looking at Bathsheba with Text-Critical Eyes," in Nra Dvid, Armin Lange, Kristin De Troyer and Shani Tzoref (eds), Mother Abiona or Amtelai the daughter of Karnebo. Called Ammiel, 1 Chronicles 3:5. 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David. [88] Many commentators also say this, including Barnes,[89] Trapp,[90] George Haydock,[91] Bullinger,[92] and the Jamiesson-Fausset-Brown Commentary. 3 David sent someone and inquired about the woman. Moreover, according to the, Ahijah the Pelonite appears in 2 Samuel 23:34 as Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, of which, But David was not a role model for all times! [49], Among the Jewish commentaries besides the Talmud and the Targums, Rashi also identified Ahithophel as the subject of the psalm,[50] and this was also the view of the Pirkei Avot.[51]. Nathan also came before the king. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada son of Benaiah and by Abiathar.. In the Book of Samuel, Saul, the first king of Israel, failed to reach a decisive victory against an enemy tribe, the Philistines. The Babylonian Talmud states that (emphasis ours): Bathsheba gave birth to Solomon when she was six, because a woman is stronger and can conceive at an earlier age. Though sometimes shown clothed at other points in her story, the most common depiction, in both medieval and later art, was Bathsheba at her Bath, the formal name for the subject in art showing Bathsheba bathing, watched by King David. 23), but of Ahithophels unfaithfulness and the rebellion of Absalom (Chald., the Rabbins, and most interpreters), and indeed not after the outbreak of the rebellion, but shortly before it.. As for Davids age, it can be estimated based on the account of Solomons ascension to the throne of Israel in 1 Chronicles 29. So, either way, it seems that the name in 1 Chronicles 11:36 was a textual corruption, and thus, unreliable. The plain reading of the text makes it unlikely. Bathsheba receiving letter from David, by Willem Drost (1630-1680). An Eliam is mentioned in 2 Samuel 23:34 as the son of Ahithophel, who is described as the Gilonite. Or Ammiel, [1 Chronicles 3:5] who was the son of Ahithophel, [2 Samuel 23:34] who might, for the dishonour done by David to his niece Bathsheba, be the readier to conspire against him, and to take part with Absalom., [22] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/isn/psalms-41.html#1, Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba., [23] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/lmg/2-samuel-15.html#1, The reason for this strong enmity was likely that Ahithophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba, [24] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mac/2-samuel-12.html#13, He was Bathshebas grandfather; and we are not going wrong, I think, in tracing his passionate hatred, and the peculiar form of insult which he counselled Absalom to adopt, to the sense of foul wrong which had been done to his house by Davids crime., [25] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tsk/2-samuel-23.html#34, Eliam: 11:3; 15:31; 17:23; 1 Chronicles 27:33,34, [26] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tbi/2-samuel-12.html#14, What swept Ahithophel into the ranks of that great conspiracy? So, here is a summary about Ahithophel and his role during Davids reign: If Ahithophel was Bathshebas grandfather, then determining his approximate age would allow us to estimate Bathshebas age as well. There is no doubt that, initially, many will go into denial-overdrive. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). It is even in Sahih International. When David was dying, Bathsheba successfully conspired with the prophet Nathan to block Adonijahs succession to the throne and to win it for Solomon. [61], Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that Ahithophel must have died at a relatively young age. Cmon bro, dont get me wrong. But as for me, I trust in you.. According to Karl Budde the interpolated portion is 12: 7, 8, and 1012; according to Friedrich Schwally and H. P. Smith, the whole of 12: 115a is an interpolation, and 12:. Psychologist Dr. Robert Epstein has made the controversial suggestion that young people, regardless of how young, should be allowed to make decisions about marriage and sex provided that they demonstrate that he or she knows about the risks of sexis physically and emotionally mature, and so on[99] He also suggests that they should have to pass one or more appropriate competency tests. Despite being wronged and mistreated by him, Bathsheba later became David's loyal wife and protective mother of King Solomon, the wisest ruler of Israel. Adonijah, the fourth son of King David from Haggith (2 Samuel 3:4). Web24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. Yet, as with the attribution of the psalm to Ahithophel, the interpretation of verse 23 was largely unified among the commentators. The table below shows a summary of this information and calculations of ages for David, Ahithophel, Solomon, and Bathsheba, based on the chronology of 2 Samuel 1117. [5] Thus, Ahitophel was Bathshebas grandfather. (LogOut/ But, let us be even more generous and round it up to 80. [96] On the other hand, Hastings Bible Dictionary blames a scribal error for the difference and claims that the original reading in 1 Chronicles 11:36 was Gilonite (thus, it was Ahijah the Gilonite). In Matthew 1:6, "the wife of Uriah" is mentioned as one of the ancestors of Jesus. WebHe was killed by Joab (1 Chronicles 3:1-2) after he mounted a rebellion against his aging father David. WebIt is true that Davids affair with Bathsheba while her husband was at the battle front constituted adultery. WebNathan ( Hebrew: , Modern: Natan, Tiberian: Nn) was the third of four sons born to King David and Bathsheba in Jerusalem. In David's old age, Bathsheba, based on David's promise, secured the succession to the throne by Solomon, instead of David's elder surviving sons by his other wives, such as Chileab (2 Samuel 3:16), Adonijah (1 Kings 1:1131) and others (2 Samuel 3:16). [66] Saul also lived into his seventies. No, this is not a tu quoque fallacy, which is defined as: an informal fallacy that intends to discredit the opponents argument by asserting the opponents failure to act consistently in accordance with its conclusion(s).[79]. As shown, David was declaring that those who had betrayed him and were trying to kill him will not live out half their days. See the same link to the playlist. This verse is crucial. In this section, I will try to pre-empt some possible Christian objections. A girls period can start at different ages, so thats not a good argument. Eliam. You Muslims believe Muhammad is a role model for all times!, In my view, we should leave it to the experts (e.g., physicians and psychologists) to determine what is an appropriate age for maturity, if there is one. David, shooting at the bird, strikes the screen, splitting it; thus Bathsheba is revealed in her beauty to David.[14]. Bathsheba was the wife of Uriah the Hittite. There is no reason to interpret the verse allegorically. For Davids close counselor and friend, Ahithophel, actually revolted against David when Absalom did. Or examples of sex slaves in the Bible (I remember Hagar and Jacobs slaves were used for sex to have babies). She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. This relationship probably led to Ahithophels disloyalty (2 Samuel 15:12)., [18] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ghe/2-samuel-15.html#1, Ahithophel was very likely the grandfather of Bathsheba, [19] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hcc/2-samuel-11.html#3, The grandfather of Bethsabee is supposed to have revolted against David, to revenge the wrong done to her., [20] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfu/2-samuel-23.html#34, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite , [ Eliy`aam (Hebrew #463)] omitted in the parallel list of 1 Chronicles 11:1-47; traditionally believed to be the same as the person mentioned, 2 Samuel 11:23 (Jerome, Quaest. David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-4) Introduction When my Grandmother Palmer was alive, she lived on a farm outside of Shelton, Washington. The answer comes from Psalm 55:23 (emphasis ours): But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. There is no hint that the writer is a king whose authority is threatened by a formidable insurrection. In addition, Gills Exposition of the Entire Bible explains, based on the Talmudic interpretation, that (emphasis ours): bloody and deceitful mendo not come up to the half of the ordinary term of mans life, which is threescore years and ten.[54], Heb. shall not half their days; that is, shall be soon cut off. You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. Moreover, according to the Fausset Dictionary, Ahijah the Pelonite was probably a corruption of text. According to 2 Samuel 15:30, David was on the Mount of Olives when he found out about Ahithophel. [13] Most commentaries also share this view, including Barnes Notes on the Bible,[14] Coffmans Commentaries on the Bible,[15] the Expository Notes by Dr. Thomas Constable,[16] E.W. Im sorry for making a claim that makes you think that I was criticizing Islam. Ironically, the evidence comes from the life of her grandfather Ahithophel, who happened to be Davids counselor (2 Samuel 15:12) and was involved in Absaloms conspiracy to overthrow David (this is a very important issue that we will consider later).