Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 38:2 (Spring 2024)
Article: Victim Blaming And The David And Bathsheba Narrative
Author: J. Dwayne Howell

PP 38:2 (Spring 2024) p. 14

Victim Blaming And The David And Bathsheba Narrative

J. Dwayne Howell

An earlier form of this article was presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, 2022, Denver, CO.

A few years ago, I found several colleagues across various schools in deep discussion over the question of Bathsheba’s innocence or guilt in 2 Samuel 11. This was on the theologically astute site known as Facebook. As I read the comments, I offered my insights, given that one of my dissertation chapters is on David and Bathsheba. I have thought about this discussion, often asking: why is there a need to save David at the cost of blaming Bathsheba?

Many denominations have been affected in the past several years by scandals concerning sexual abuse and the cover-ups that sought to hide the abuse.1 Victims of such abuse are further victimized by insinuations that they were willing participants or that they entrapped the men involved—men who are often in positions of leadership. Referred to as victim blaming, the men absolve themselves by deflecting personal accountability onto the victim. Related to this is toxic masculinity in churches where the submission of females to males is emphasized. This allows for situations with the potential for a variety of abuses: physical, psychological, and spiritual. This essay acknowledges that there is a spectrum of possible abuse in a church or other institution. However, the focus is the abuse of females by male authority figures.

The David and Bathsheba narrative of 2 Samuel 11 provides an example of such abuse. While the biblical text does not accuse Bathsheba of any wrongdoing, interpretations of the text sometimes situate Bathsheba as seducing David into adultery.

Literary Analysis Of 2 Samuel 11

The narrator uses the introduction in v. 1 both to begin the story and to provide a transition from the previous chapter (2 Sam 10) by tying it to the theme of war.2 Spring is when “kings go out to battle.” David does not go to battle, but instead sends Joab out to lead on his behalf. The narrator establishes irony in the introduction by contrasting David with other kings.3 While other kings go to war, David does not. While Joab and the soldiers leave home, David remains at home.4

The use of Hebrew verb “to send”...