“David sent someone to inquire about the woman. It was reported, ‘This is Bathsheba daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite.’” – 2 Samuel 11:3 (NRSV)

What are women to do when they are not safe, even in their own homes? Bathsheba should have been safe. She should have been protected. In all the sermons I have heard about David and Bathsheba, I never understood the weight of the messenger reporting who she was when David asked of her. My only takeaway was that she was clearly married and, therefore, off-limits. Really, that should have been enough.