Bathsheba

Bathsheba

Bathsheba's story is found in 2 Samuel 11 – 12.

A young, lonely woman who in a moment of weakness makes a mistake. That mistake is compounded by King David's terrible decisions. We hear from Bathsheba's story how easy it is to misuse beauty (or power) and the devastating results.

The closing character for "Pretty Is as Pretty Does," Bathsheba, gives a powerful warning about the misuse of beauty. When I first conceived the telling of this story, it was a very somber approach. Bathsheba came into the room and lit a candle to commemorate the death of her son, which propelled her to reflect on the story. Kathleen, my gifted director, threw up her hands.

"No, no, Anita. I want to see the story unfold."

"But Kathleen, I'm 59 – I can't be a young Bathsheba."

"Yes, you can," she replied.

Bathsheba

Ouch – this was going to be a challenge. So that's how Bathsheba's opening remarks developed: "I need you to use your imagination." I figured the audience would need a vivid one to see me as an 18ish girl.

Bathsheba

Bathsheba fully reaped the consequences of the seed of sin she had shown (as did David) but so often we do something provocative or teasing, or cruel, and we walk away from it not realizing the words of pain we leave behind us. Bathsheba has such a powerful message for both women and men. We must be so careful to "cause not to stumble."

Video Clip of Bathsheba
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