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michellymy · 15 days ago

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Sinner

2 Samuel 11:1-4

It was a great idea to send Joab to war. The ammonites were destroyed, Rabbah was conquered, and David needed to do nothing but rest. He knew it was a tradition for the kings to fight in spring, but why bother? Everything is running smoothly without him.

Yet, he must admit: it can get pretty boring in the palace.

As the whole army and his men are out there fighting, no one worthy of sparring was left. And the guests? Are as entertaining as watching the wind blow, they are just a bunch of people-pleasers wanting to waste his time.

"Is something bothering you, Adoni?", the servant asked.

They've been walking on the roof for a long time; David almost forgot about his existence. By the way, what was his name?... well, if he can't remember, it must be of no importance.

"Nothing," he said, which was not a lie. Nothing specifically was annoying him, he's just bored. He could use some fun, but throwing a party amidst the war is a bit too much, isn't it?

The King finished his wine and took another glass from the servant. Looking around, he noticed the landscape here wasn't bad. The sun was almost setting, and he could watch his people's lives, their routine at the end of the day.

Yeah, here's fine.

"You may leave now, I will stay longer."

The servant, obedient as always, bowed and greeted his King. "Shalom, Adoni ha-Melech."

"Shalom." And just like this, David is met with the peace of being alone for a moment.

The twilight sky stretched lazily over Jerusalem, its vibrant streaks of orange and purple casting long shadows on the city below. The sounds of life carried up to the rooftop—children's laughter, the distant hum of a market winding down—but none of it stirred anything in David. The palace itself felt too quiet, too empty.

His gaze fell on some women washing the laundry with their older daughters, the elderly women talking to each other, and... hm... a woman. Bathing outside, naked, and pretty visible in his eyes. He blinked, afraid it was a hallucination, but she continued there.

David was unsure about if he should leave or keep watching, but he was sure of something: she was unbelievably gorgeous. She moved with an ease that captivated him, water glistening off her skin like sunlight on the sea. There was something almost regal in the way she carried herself, even in the most private of moments.

David couldn't help but feel anxious. He didn't consider it a bad type of anxiety, though. He wasn't having any fun nowadays; his women weren't that attractive anymore. Maybe he just needed someone else to help him with that.

So, with this thought in mind, he waited for her to finish her bath and go back inside her house, and only then he asked for the servant to come back.

"Behold thy servant. How can I be of help, Adoni?”

"That house," David pointed down. "Someone was there. Who lives in?"

The servant approached the border and gazed until he found the said place.

"Ah, that's Uriah the Hittite's home. But as he is in war, you probably saw Bathsheba, his wife, and Eliam's daughter."

"Uriah, you say?" Just like with the servant, David had no idea about who was Uriah. A nobody, he guessed, like so many others who served in his army. Faceless soldiers with no real significance unless their actions somehow intersected with his own interests. David couldn’t be bothered to remember every name—he was the King, after all.

It wouldn't be a problem to borrow Bathsheba, he thought. Apparently, she just got clean from her period; otherwise, she wouldn't had a bath outside in such a place. And she wouldn't mind spending a night with the King. Her husband is out there fighting, away from her and unable to give her attention.

Fighting for David's people, risking his own life and suffering while David is here watching his wife bathing and planning this.

...but she must feel lonely. David is only doing something good for her.

"Tell the messengers to bring her to the palace immediately."

"Um, Adoni..." The servant stopped in his tracks, remembering it was not wise to oppose the King. He rephrased his thoughts and only then talked: "Melech, if I may ask, what reason should they tell her to come?"

David wasn’t in the mood for such trivialities, but understood that taking a married woman to his palace at such a time could raise some undesired rumors. He sighed and gazed seriously at the servant.

"It's only right that I get to know my soldiers’ families, don't you think? Especially those who are risking their lives for the kingdom." David looked down and then shook his head slightly. "It would be a tragedy if something happened to him. I wouldn’t want to neglect her if, God forbid, anything were to happen to Uriah.”

The servant didn't look plenty convinced. He was gazing at David and the house as if working on a puzzle. But what could he do? The King's words are ultimate.

"...I shall do it, Adoni. I will take my leave."

And like this, both the servant and David left the roof. The servant informed the messengers about the King's order, and David went to his room to get everything ready.

Of course, the King's rooms were already something beyond the common residences, and David's appearance wasn't bad as well—people would say his ginger hair was like embers—, but it wouldn't hurt to be in his best shape today.

He called the other servants and he bathed in oils and petals, making his skin soother than usual. They brushed his hair and his curly locks fell graciously on his shoulders, dressed with a white tunic adorned with purple arabesques, and a heavy golden belt. He kept his tunic slightly open in the chest, of course.

Prepared like this, he went to the audience room and waited on his throne.

Time somehow passed even slower than before. The night was cool, so both servants were useless next to him, holding leaves as two statues. Why is he paying them, by the way? They do nothing in this season. They should be fired; their parents punished for not raising them as good servants.

The waiter was the only holding David from executing these sentences. His glass was refilled as many times he asked. This waiter was a good servant. They should learn with him.

The messengers should learn, too. Why are they taking so long to bring a single woman to the palace? Her house weren't far. Maybe she refused? But that doesn't make any sense, David is The King, she can't refuse his call. And it's not like she'd want to say "no" to him; only a crazy woman would do it, and apparently this is not the case.

So why for God's sake...

His line of thought was interrupted as the doors opened. David almost smiled at the vision.

"Adoni ha-Melech," the messenger and the woman beside him are bowed. “Behold thy servants. This is Bathsheba, Eliam's daughter."

It’s really her. Face to face. It may be the night or the moonlight, but her ebony hair was shining as obsidian. David wanted to touch that, wanted to know if it would feel like the finer silk or like cold stone. He wanted to hold her here and now.

Breathing deeply, he calmed himself down. He can do it soon, not in front of everyone.

After cleaning his throat, his deep voice echoed in the room.

“You may raise.”

Oh. How much he loved seeing that woman. Her short dress looked special, as if she had carefully thought of him and chose it to please. Its skirt was covering only half of her thighs, despite the cool weather. Many necklaces highlighted the cleavage of her clothes, her arms wrapped with bracelets of all types… She wouldn’t choose it for nothing. Did she figure out the meaning of this call? Is she that smart?

Her eyes were curious and intense. Wild, almost. Yet her face was so delicate, so tiny. His hands could caress her red cheeks easily. He just needed to get up, lift his hand, and…

David shook his head and covered his expression with a hand. He must be out of his mind. How can he think of doing such things in this place?

Or better saying, how can he think of doing such things with a married woman? His soldier’s wife, to add?

He, David, man chose by God, committing a grave sin. It doesn’t feel… no, it is absolutely not right. He should end this now. Send her back to home. It will make people question his motives, but it’s better to look as a mad man than a criminal.

She should leave.

“Adoni ha-Melech,” the melodious voice sounded and David gazed at Bathsheba. “Thy servant heard your call. It was informed to me that Adoni wished to discuss matters about my husband, Uriah the Hittite.” She drove her hand to her chest and bowed once again. “Your servant is ready to answer anything you want to know.”

But she is here. She is right here, ready to do anything he wants. Probably ready to do those “such things”. If she is willing to do it, she is not worried about her husband nor about God.

Why only David needs to worry?

David is the King. He shouldn’t be worried about anything. He can have and do whatever he wants.

And what he wants is Bathsheba.

“I’m glad to know you are disposed to answer, Bathsheba. But I’m afraid my questions may be too related to Uriah’s personal life; does these people break your privacy?” He sipped the wine and waited for her to digest his words. “Do you wish to have a private place to discuss the matters?”

This way, people won’t talk about how the King carried a married woman to a secluded place; it will be Bathsheba to force him to a private meeting. If something goes out, the fault won’t be his.

“If it’s not a nuisance, I would be pleased to, Adoni ha-Melech.” David saw the semblance of a smirk on her face, and felt the urge to take her now. Right now. In this exact moment.

“I shall attend your request. The others shall be released. And you,” he got up from the throne and nodded at Bathsheba, “come with me.”

He walked without looking back, but he could hear the soft steps behind his. Nobody else came, as he ordered, and it continued like this until they arrived in a room. It was not David’s bedroom, but it was luxurious enough to hold the events that were to happen.

David swallowed and sat on a chair. He watched as Bathsheba closed the door behind her and kept standing there, staring at him with her head down.

She looked kinda shy. Her face was scarlet as she gazed out the room, stopping her eyes on the bed, then at David. He was more comfortable now, had left a wider gap in his tunic. He could feel the weight of her gaze on his chest.

“Come closer, you can sit wherever you like.”

David was pouring a glass of wine for her when she started walking.

“Adoni, if I may ask…” she pulled a chair and sat in front of him.

“David,” he interrupted. While giving her the glass, their fingers touched and he felt that warmth inside him. “You can call my name while we are alone, Bathsheba.”

“Ah, okay…” She drank a bit of the wine while staring at David. Her eyes were alluring, pressuring, strong; but she somehow managed to make it look softer, as a lamb. “I always thought your name was beautiful. I wished to say it out loud for you, but I didn’t know this… situation would really happen.”

David smirked at it. How can a person be so mysterious and captivating?

“So you thought about me so much that even my name came to your mind as ‘beautiful’?” He tilted his head and his hair fell over his eyes. “If even my name is beautiful, what do you think of me as a whole?”

“You can’t ask this to a married woman, David!” She hid her mouth in exasperation, but David could see the corners of her lips lifting behind her hand. “I won’t be able to lie about how handsome you are if you do.”

The man felt a pang on his heart. She is indeed a married woman, and so is he.

But he couldn’t stop now, how shameful would it be if he backed off? He, The King? No, never.

Then he lifted from his place and leaned over her. He hit the glass on the table, splashing wine everywhere, but they both didn’t care. David’s face was too close, Bathsheba could feel his breath on her.

“So tell me about it. I am not asking you to lie.” He held her chin up, messing her with wine as well. “Am I handsome, Bathsheba?”

“Hm…” She smiled and brushed a strand of his hair to behind his ear. “People always say you are handsome, David.”

“I’m not asking what they say,” he squinted his eyes. “Tell me what you say. What do you think of me, Bathsheba?”

“If I was to tell about you to someone, I’d say you are cute.”

“You know that’s not what…”

“Shhh, let me finish.”

They went silent as she raised her hand and dragged her slender fingers over David’s face. On his eyebrow, nose, freckles, cheek… stopping the shivers-causing movement only on his lips. They are fuller than the common to men, so different from what she’s used to kiss.

“For me, you are the prettiest of men, and the most handsome, too.” Her gaze lifted from his lips to his eyes. “It’s confusing, you pass this sweet energy around you, but at the same time you are harsh. You are so sweet to your women, yet harsh to your enemies… I always felt intrigued about it.”

Bathsheba moved her hands to his neck, keeping them over his shoulders. David tried to get her gaze, but she wasn’t looking at him.

“You know, I felt a bit jealous back then. I wished I was the woman worthy of your sweet behavior, the one you’d make enemies for.” She finally looked at him, her eyes now red as if holding back tears. “I will never be this woman, right, Adoni?”

David didn’t know what he could say. She was right, after all. He can’t marry someone that is married. But he couldn’t bring himself to say it, not when the grip on his neck was so desperate to keep him, yet beware of the risky situation they were.

So David did what he thought he could do: he pressed his lips against hers.

Bathsheba whined and brought him closer, hugging his neck and savoring the taste of wine. David moved one hand to her waist, caressing the curves hidden under the dress.

Their mouths moved in sync, as if they were always meant to do it. The pressure on their stomachs were increasing as the kiss got more passionate. David groaned when she bit his lower lip, gripping his hair and pushing him against her. He felt light. He wanted her.

David pulled away from her, and Bathsheba almost complained, but stopped when he lifted her on his strong arms. David took them to the bed and stayed over her as he drove his mouth to her ear and neck, being careful not to leave marks. Bathsheba was shivering under his touch, biting her lip to don’t make any loud sounds. She had some problems at doing that, but she did what she could as the night escalated quickly in turns of actions and rest.

It was a long night.

David never felt better.

But as all the good things, it ended as well.

“They shouldn’t see us in the morning.” Bathsheba’s voice was sleepy as the sky was showing its first signs of light. “I didn’t want it to end… but how do I leave the palace?”

David himself wasn’t wanting it to end, too. He was holding her undressed body against his while he touched her hair. It was silky, not stone-like.

“I have a secret passageway. You could go by there.” He held her hand and kissed it. “…but you really need to go? You could stay until breakfast, no?”

She giggled and raised her head to peck his lips. He held her and kept the kiss for longer, though. She almost hugged him back to keep the warmth, but soon the King’s servants would call him to do something, and it wouldn’t be good if she was here on his bed.

“Hey, enough.” She pulled away and pinched his cheek. “You sound a bit childish now, David. I really need to leave.”

“Did you just say the King of Israel is childish, servant?”

“Now I am a servant?” She pushed herself out of his arms and sat slowly with a smile on face. “I thought I was your ‘beloved’ this night?”

“Can’t you be both?” He dragged himself on bed and got her dress from the floor.

“What?”

“You know… maybe you could be my lover while Uriah isn’t here. Just while you’re alone.” He put her dress over her head. “He won’t be here for some time, and who is better to comfort you than me?”

He looked hopefully at her, helping her to dress as he waited for an answer.

He would take care of her. Nobody would ever know. He’d make sure of it.

Well… nobody but God.

Yeah. God.

They just committed something despicable, didn’t they?

Adultery.

And David is asking to keep it for longer. God is not satisfied with his actions. He must be disappointed, perhaps angry.

…

David should ask for forgiveness in this moment, send Bathsheba away forever and make a sacrifice for God.

…but now he already asked. He can’t take back his word.

What if she says yes? Should he tell her it was a joke? But he should keep his word no matter what. What would people say if the King can’t keep his promises?

But the answer didn’t come. Bathsheba let go off his hand and got up from the bed, putting her necklaces and bracelets back to their places.

“Adoni ha-Melech, if it’s not a bother for you, could you please take this great servant to your secret passageway?”

Adoni. Adoni ha-Melech, not David. Not intimate.

Thank God!! Hallelujah!! God is good!!

Bathsheba is not intending to keep it going!

AMEN!

“It shall be done.” He tied his belt around his skirt and left the bed too.

Walking with bare chest, he led Bathsheba into a hidden spot of the room. No one said anything in the way, both way too busy with his own thoughts.

David opened the passage and stared at the woman as she looked into the darkness. She fumbled with her wrist and was biting inside her cheek.

“You can take a lantern, the servants won’t miss it,” said the King at giving her one of the lamps.

“Ah, okay.” She held it, but wasn’t walking. Instead, she was still and gazing at him with those same curious eyes from before. “…will we meet again, David?…”

His jaw clenched and his gaze diverted from her.

‘David’, she said. Said in an affectionate manner. She shouldn’t be calling him this way…

“I don’t know. Perhaps in a Royal March?”

“I am not kidding, David,” she replied fiercely. Her eyebrows were frowned in anger or worry—maybe both. “We don’t have time for plays, I need to leave. So tell me if I should be careful about our actions, or if actually there’s no ‘we’ between you and me.”

David knew what he should answer. His brain was telling it, his soul was telling it, his conscience was telling it, the Bible was telling it, GOD was telling it.

But how can his heart and body be so adamant about this matter?! He didn’t even know about her existence since yesterday afternoon, yet the words came before he could stop!

“We shouldn’t meet so often… but I will try to schedule our meetings in a way that nobody will question it. After all, I am the King, I have serious matters to take care and important people around me. It’d be a mess if word came out that we were secretly meeting while a war is happening.” He took a hand to his nape, already regretting everything he said. “…is that okay for you?”

Please, say no. Please, say no. Please, say no.

She smiled and enlaced him with an arm to pull his head closer, massaging his lips with hers. It was a careful kiss, much more delicate than the others they had before. David’s heart skipped a beat. He held her wrist and put her hand on his chest, shivering with the cold touch. Wishing for more. Much more.

When they ended the kiss, David kept his forehead leaned on hers. Their hands intertwined made David feel like a teenager. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable.

She is perfect.

“Okay,” she whispered and caressed his hand. “I will wait for your call.”

No.

Please, don’t.

But David didn’t say anything. He kept in silence while she broke the contact and walked inside the path.

“See you, David!”

He didn’t have the voice to reply. He waving back made him feel as if he just dig a seven-feet-under grave and threw himself inside it with decomposed corpses.

God, what in Heavens is he doing?

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Bathsheba and David’s story, but in a narrative! I am writing the second part, but I got tired and didn’t continue 😞 but I will someday (I hope so)

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