I have always been told this was a story of adultery. After my experience of exploitation in therapy, I began to look at it in another way. Exploitation: 2) the use or manipulaton of another person for one's own advantage.
2 Sam. 11:2-4 gives the account of David viewing Bathsheba, his inquiry of who this beautiful woman was and in verse 4, "David sent messengers that he might take her". Did she go willingly, was she forced to appear before King David? Verse 4 says that she sanctifyed herself from her uncleanness. I believe this to be a classic case of exploitation. A man of power, taking what he wanted. She payed a dear price in the murder of her husband, the loss of her first son. Later, when Solomon had been passed up for kingship, which had been promised by David. She went to him, and reminded him of this promise. David granted it. In his old age, he had all but forgotten her and this promise.
Adultery is a shameful experience in the truth. One for which I carry much shame. I gave my virgin body to my husband on my wedding night in 1976 at age 18. I never thought that I would find myself "giving" to another. My marriage difficulties and sexual lack of experience with others, was exploited in therapy. Non-the less, it was exploitation and NOT adultery.
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