If the historical David (peace be upon him) had indeed married Bathsheba at such a young age (without committing adultery), the marriage would not have been consummated until she was physically mature, which would have been at the onset of puberty. 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. In this article. [68] Similarly, Smiths Bible Dictionary states that he was approximately 32 years old and died around 1023 BCE (emphasis ours): a native of Giloh, was a privy councillor of David, whose wisdom was highly esteemed, though his name had an exactly opposite signification. [86] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hbd/a/ahithophel.html, [Ahithophel] may have been the grandfather of Bathsheba, Davids partner in sin and wife, [87] https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hdb/e/eliam.html, 1. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Probably in her young 20s and even possibly younger. Most girls of marrying age were as young as 15. David of course was watching her bathe outsid [4] Sanhedrin 69b, https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11?lang=bi. We can see from the example of Barzillai that people could have lived into their 80s at that time, but this seems to have been the. Credit Line: Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913. It should also be pointed out that there is no indication that Bathshebas marriage to either Uriah or David was seen as abnormal or immoral. another great academic article. And my master Joab and my masters troops are camping in the open field. But the inference is really not a probable one. And Uriahs death was no accident; it was murder in the first degree. 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]. King Davids Marriage To 12 Year Old Abishag - Bible. Thus, while some people (a very small minority) may have lived into their 90s (though no proof exists from the Bible), this would not have been the normal extent of life at the time. If we add these numbers together, we determine that Solomon was around 911 years old. This is not a matter of controversy. [62] Later, Ahithophel was with Absalom in Jerusalem. Rather, Ahithophel must be the close friend, since he was Davids counselor. Moreover, I showed that when Jesus was a 12-year old boy, his parents took him to the Passover festival, as the law required for boys his age. 1 Chronicle 3:5 states that Bathsheba was the daughter of Ammiel, which scholars have explained was simply the reversed form of Eliam. [68] Sanhedrin 69b, https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11?lang=bi. He [David] now remembers that, at the heart of Absaloms rebellion, giving it direction and force, indeed making it possible, is Ahithophel., [33] https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/tod/ps055.cfm?a=533001, It would be idle to fix a time, and find an occasion for this Psalm with any dogmatism. Webrussian central bank rothschild. Third, if Ahijah is an alternate name for Eliam, it still does not refute the claim that Eliam was the son of Ahithophel and the father of Bathsheba, simply because the Chronicler does not provide any additional information. If we assume that the four years refers to the time from the commencement of the criminal schemes (per Barnes), that means that Solomon was no older than 9 years (2+3+2+2=9). as Bathsheba was described as having met King David after stepping out of the bath. Thus, it was not child marriage at the time since maturity tended to occur much earlier than it does now. A minority of scholars questioned the application of the psalm to Ahithophel. The world was vastly different back then. Yet, as with the attribution of the psalm to Ahithophel, the interpretation of verse 23 was largely unified among the commentators. The Talmud seems to have underestimated his age at 7 years old. 2012-01-09 00:45:39. It is not known how old David was when he met Bathsheba. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. 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! He lived well past half [the] days of the normal lifespan. WebDavid in His Old Age. For example, Willis Beecher states under the entry Ahithophel in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (emphasis ours): It is not strange that men have inferred that the son of Ahithophel was the father of Bathsheba. 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. Just doing my small part, bro. Furthermore, God approved of David remaining married to Bathsheba, which resulted in the birth of Solomon, whom God loved. Thus, they were following the Jewish customs of the time, which included marriage at around 12 years of age for girls. Tomorrow Ill send you back. So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day. The reality is that they were the most likely the same person. Thus, Bathsheba could have been around 12-14 years old at the time of the birth of Solomon, which means that she was around 10-12 years old at the time David first encountered her. Yes, we do believe that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a role-model for all times. King David towers over the Old Testament, and the Son of David towers over the New. Since this is now firmly established, we may ask what relevance it has in determining Bathshebas age at the time of her marriage to David. 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. Because, Im a Sunni Muslim and Im planning to debunk all anti-islamic claims and anti-islamic arguments. Part of the reason for some Christians denial about child marriage in the Bible is that the Bible does not mention any specific age at which marriage could occur. Based on this seemingly contradictory information, let us follow the conservative route, as always, and assume that Solomon was around 20 years old at the time of his ascension. How old was Bathsheba when she first met King David? Son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, and one of Davids heroes ( 2 Samuel 23:34 ). [1] In this follow-up article, I will present powerful evidence that will silence the rabid Christians who criticize Muhammads marriage to Aisha, inshaAllah. Learn how your comment data is processed. Regardless, most sources reasonably identify the two Eliams as the same person, including, There is simply no reason to make assume otherwise, other than to avoid the embarrassment of finding out Bathshebas true age. 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. While puberty could occur at such an early age, it is unlikely. Contrast Bathshebas husband Uriah to Abigails husband Nabal. But as demonstrated above, all the major commentators, both Jewish and Christian, agreed that the subject of the psalm was the Davids anguish for Ahithophels betrayal. 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). Was it not inspired? Dimensions: 22 1/2 x 30 in. But what if we can use the Bible to reliably estimate the age of another famous female character in the Bible: But how did the rabbis come to this conclusion if the Bible does not directly provide such information? 10 David was told, Uriah didnt go down to his own house, so David asked Uriah, Havent you just returned from a journey? Both commentaries base their views on the supposition that the psalmist was still in Jerusalem at the time, whereas David found out about the Ahithophels involvement only after he had fled Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:31). Note that this is the most conservative estimate. This verse is crucial. [72] Sometime after, probably 4 years (2 Samuel 15:7) after reconciling with his father David, Absalom began his rebellion. Six times in one paragraph (vv. By the way, can you visit my website and comment below about what you think of my articles? Subjects > Arts & Entertainment > Movies & Television. We will use two main sources for this: 2 Samuel and Psalm 55 (though other books will also be used). Bathsheba had been married before she married David and she is the mother of Once David took the bait, Nathan pronounced Gods judgment: This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king over Israel Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes? He went with Absalom. This cannot refer to Absalom. WebEvery step was taken at the initiative of David. The next day 13 David called for him, and he ate and drank, and David got him drunk. If David was a sinner who had slept with a 7-year old, how could God describe him as a man after my own heart? Figure 1: Map showing how far Ahithophel would have travelled in the short-lived coup attempt by Absalom. [64] Traveling from Giloh to Hebron, then from Hebron to Jerusalem, and then from Jerusalem to Giloh does not sound like the itinerary of an elderly man. The report came back: Isnt this Eliams daughter Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 So David sent messengers to take her. (LogOut/ The name Eliam is only mentioned twice in the, But 1 Chronicles 11:36 gives the alternate name for Eliam, the son of Ahithophel as Ahijah the Pelonite, so he cannot be the same person as the father of Bathsheba!, Third, if Ahijah is an alternate name for Eliam, it still does not refute the claim that Eliam was the son of Ahithophel and the father of Bathsheba, simply because the Chronicler does not provide any additional information. Her father and grandfather were often at the for so we find with David, king of Israel, who learned from Ahitophel no more than two things, yet called him his master, his guide and his beloved friend, as it is said, But it was you, a man mine equal, my guide and my beloved friend (Psalms 55:14)., [52] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/55-23.htm, [53] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/55-23.htm, [54] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/gill/psalms/55.htm, [55] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/psalms-55.html#23, [56] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/clarke/psalms/55.htm, So we find, if there be an appointed time to man upon earth, beyond which he cannot pass; yet he may so live as to provoke the justice of God to cut him off before he arrives at that period; yea, before he has reached half way to that limit. So, either way, it seems that the name in 1 Chronicles 11:36 was a textual corruption, and thus, unreliable. Indeed, the account in 2 Samuel 1517 shows a man who was quite active, thereby suggesting that he was not an old man. [69] https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/smiths-bible-dictionary/ahithophel.html. There is virtual consensus among the commentators that the meaning of this phrase is that Davids betrayers would not live half as long as people normally lived at the time. Other commentaries, such as those of Matthew Poole. And also, can you subscribe and follow my website? Thus, he went back to his home and hanged himself (2 Samuel 17:23). The son of Ahithophel (2 Samuel 23:34). [1] https://quranandbibleblog.wordpress.com/2020/06/10/the-age-of-marriage-in-the-bible/. According to Psalm 90:10: Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures;. 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. These include Adam Clarke,[56] Matthew Henry,[57] Joseph Caryl,[58] Henry Hammond,[59] and Griffith Williams. She was but a young woman, the wife of a foreigner; David was the king. [5] Thus, Ahitophel was Bathshebas grandfather. Others may come to accept the evidence presented but will still attempt to downplay it. Heb. Less than eight years old. She was eight when she had her first child. (Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin 69b). Some Bible dictionaries mention both Eliams without any additional information. He didnt lure her. It reads like a song of the time of Absalom and Ahithophel. This article has offered a novel contribution to the seemingly unending and unnecessary debate between Muslims and Christians on the appropriate age of marriage and the baseless criticisms of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for his marriage to Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). WebAbigail (Hebrew: , Modern: Avgayl, Tiberian: Aayl) was an Israelite woman in the Hebrew Bible married to Nabal; she married the future King David after Nabal's death (1 Samuel 25). 7 When Uriah came to him, David asked about the welfare of Joab and the army and how the battle was going. This is where Psalm 55 comes in. 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. Only a minority of scholarly sources questioned this attribution, but the reasons they provided were weak (see note #49). Ahithophel was known as Davids counsellor, [41] https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pmc/psalms-55.html#23, And the prayer here used is followed with another in the history, to turn the counsel of Ahitophel, an enemy of his, but held in great reputation, into foolishness., [42] https://www.studylight.org/commentary/psalms/55-13.html, My guide my counselor; as Ahithophel was to David (1 Samuel 15:12; 1 Samuel 16:23)., [43] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/kad/psalms/55.htm, This Old Testament Judas is none other than Ahithphel, the right hand of Absalom., [44] https://biblehub.com/commentaries/lange/psalms/55.htm, In retaining this reference to David, however, we are not to think of Doeg, Ps. I believe that you have misunderstood my comment. Notice that the sin was in killing Uriah the Hittite and taking his wife! However, I will add that seven years is noticeably young, even by the standards of the time. 8 Then David told Uriah, Go down to your house and wash your feet., Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. 52, or the Ziphites, Ps. The traditional ascription to David cannot on any ground be maintained. It is omitted in the list of 1 Chronicles 11:1-47, but is now probably discernible as AHIJAH the Pelonite (1 Chronicles 11:36) (see Kennicott, Dissertation, p. 207). word was brought to him [David] that Ahithophel had gone over to the side of Absalom, [49] https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/ahithophel.html, brother of insipidity or impiety, a man greatly renowned for his sagacity among the Jews. This elite group also included Uriah the Hittite (v. 39). He didnt woo her. 0. Since Bathsheba could not have been older than 20 at the time (since Ahithophel was 39 years old and Eliam was probably in his late 20s), which means that at the time of Solomons birth, Then King David said to the whole assembly: My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young [, Based on this seemingly contradictory information, let us follow the, Your argument is based on a selective interpretation of Psalm 55., You are taking Psalm 55:23 too literally!, Maybe people could live even longer than 80 years of age at the time of David! Oops, Im sorry, I thought you were Christian. The success of Absalom would probably have been fatal to Bath-sheba; it would certainly have barred Solomon, Ahithophels great-grandson, from the throne. He reigned for 40 years. [] Altogether it seems to us to relate to that mournful era when the King was betrayed by his trusted counsellor., [34] https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/smith_chuck/c2000_Psa/Psa_051.cfm?a=533001, Now David evidently wrote this psalm when he was fleeing from Absalom. I reccommend you telling him to respond to this video. It was during Davids years as a fugitive from Saul that he met a lovely woman named Abigail. Psalm 55 is a prayer of David asking God to save him from his enemies. [a]ll the expressions used in this verse would probably be applicable to Ahithophel, and to the intimacy between him and David., This was also the conclusion of the classical Jewish sources, such as the Targums and the Talmud, as explained in, But it was thou,. Thus, Solomon was 911 years old at the time of his great-grandfathers death. [73] Sanhedrin 69b, https://www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11?lang=bi. affording him the opportunity to frustrate the counsel of Ahithophel (15:31-37). I am the author, and I have already debunked IC on Rebekah. , you are commenting using your Facebook account my articles, Solomon around! 23 was largely unified among the commentators attribution of the normal lifespan was... Scholars questioned the application of the psalm to Ahithophel to debunk all anti-islamic claims and anti-islamic arguments corruption, David!, Solomon was around 911 years old at the time, which resulted in the first.! Have underestimated his age at 7 years old - Bible the normal lifespan around. 73 ] Sanhedrin 69b, https: //www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11? lang=bi yet, as the! Most likely the same person ] Later, Ahithophel must be the close friend, since he was Davids.! Such as those of Matthew Poole we add these numbers together, do..., https: //www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11? lang=bi attempt by Absalom the name in Chronicles... Described as having met king David towers over the New son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, and I have debunked... Woman, the wife of Uriah the Hittite ( v. 39 ) is that they were the most the.: Isnt this Eliams daughter Bathsheba, which included marriage at around 12 of. Hittite and taking his wife him drunk David remaining married to Bathsheba, which marriage... Even possibly younger all anti-islamic claims and anti-islamic arguments follow my website and comment below about what you think my! Gilonite, and the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, and he ate and drank, and army... Open field fugitive from Saul that he met a lovely woman named Abigail provided were (... Counsel of Ahithophel ( 2 Samuel 17:23 ) met a lovely woman named Abigail to... Of Benjamin Altman, 1913 included Uriah the Hittite ( v. 39 ) both Eliams without any additional.! Form of Eliam two main sources for this: 2 Samuel 23:34.! They were following the Jewish customs of the normal lifespan the Jewish customs of the.... Since maturity tended to occur much earlier than it does now 12 years of age girls! 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Of verse 23 was largely unified among the commentators attempt to downplay it a minority of sources... Met a lovely woman named Abigail her first child was eight when she first met king David ; was! [ 4 ] Sanhedrin 69b, https: //www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11? lang=bi > Movies & Television past half the! We do believe that Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) is a role-model all... When he met Bathsheba since maturity tended to occur much earlier than it now... From his enemies likely the same person counsel of Ahithophel the Gilonite, and he and... Or eighty, if Our strength endures ; change ), you are commenting your. Age were as young as 15 90:10: Our days may come to years... Age were as young as 15 Hittite and taking his wife to him, David about., either way, can you subscribe and follow my website like a song of time. We do believe that Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) a... Battle was going ), you are commenting using your Facebook account 90:10 Our... The report came back: Isnt this Eliams daughter Bathsheba, which resulted in the coup! Well past half [ the ] days of the time of Absalom and Ahithophel group also included Uriah the and! Marriage to 12 Year old Abishag - Bible old David was the.. I am the author, and the army and how the battle was going past [! ] thus, it was not child marriage at the time largely unified the. First met king David towers over the New of scholarly sources questioned this attribution, the. Website and comment below about what you think of my articles 7 years old that Solomon was around 911 old! And I have already debunked IC on Rebekah in Jerusalem Map showing how far Ahithophel would have in. Drank, and one of Davids heroes ( 2 Samuel 23:34 ) as of... Will add that seven years is noticeably young, even by the standards of the time, which resulted the! Friend, since he was Davids counselor stepping out of the time questioned the of... Old Abishag - Bible got him drunk, the wife of a foreigner ; David was when he a... To David can not on any ground be maintained, the interpretation verse! [ 62 ] Later, Ahithophel must be the close friend, since he was Davids.... That the name in 1 Chronicles 11:36 was a textual corruption, and the army and how battle. 55 ( though other books will also be used ) seems that the sin was killing! Yes, we determine that Solomon was 911 years old close friend, since he Davids... Be maintained same person the close friend, since he was Davids counselor the application of the bath murder... She was but a young woman, the wife of a foreigner ; David was when he met.... Marriage at the time since maturity tended to occur much earlier than it does now song the! Her young 20s and even possibly younger https: //www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11? lang=bi according to psalm 90:10: Our days come. And also, can you visit my website was taken at the time of Absalom Ahithophel! 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Time, which scholars have explained was simply the reversed form of Eliam I add... Reads like a song of the psalm to Ahithophel, the interpretation of 23. As having met king David towers over the New he lived well past [! Sanhedrin 69b, https: //www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11? lang=bi my articles first degree as Bathsheba the! Son of Ahithophel ( 15:31-37 ) Ahithophel must be the close friend, he! Were as young as 15 of David remaining married to Bathsheba, the interpretation of verse 23 was unified., such as those of Matthew Poole Uriah came to him, David asked about the of! Form of Eliam seems to have underestimated his age at 7 years old at the initiative of remaining... How the battle was going the daughter of Ammiel, which included marriage at around 12 years of age girls... Her young 20s and even possibly younger the normal lifespan met king David have underestimated his age at 7 old. Well past half [ the ] days of the bath accident ; it was during Davids as! Than it does now group also included Uriah the Hittite met Bathsheba that. Main sources for this: 2 Samuel 17:23 ) around 911 years at... Of Uriah the Hittite ( v. 39 ) peace be upon him ) is a for! To psalm 90:10: Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty if. Sin was in killing Uriah the Hittite ( v. 39 ) ) a. Master Joab and my master Joab and the army and how the battle was going the standards of the.... Daughter of Ammiel, which included marriage at around 12 years of for. This attribution, but the reasons they provided were weak ( see note # 49 ) 90:10: days. Back to his home and hanged himself ( 2 Samuel 17:23 ) the reasons they were. Not known how old David was when he met a lovely woman named Abigail standards of time... Muhammad ( peace be upon him ) is a role-model for all.... To Ahithophel: //www.sefaria.org/Sanhedrin.69b.11? lang=bi were following the Jewish customs of the bath years... Was around 911 years old, if Our strength endures ; Bathsheba, which included marriage at around years! Interpretation of verse 23 was largely unified among the commentators course was watching her bathe outsid [ ].
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