David and Bathsheba

David and Bathsheba

Year: 1951

Runtime: 123 mins

Language: English

Director: Henry King

RomanceDramaHistoryFaith and religionReligious faith sin and forgiveness

Mighty as Goliath! King David enters into an adulterous affair with the beautiful Bathsheba, which has tragic consequences for his family and Israel.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – David and Bathsheba (1951)

Explore the full timeline and setting of David and Bathsheba (1951). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Biblical era, around 10th century BCE

Set during King David’s reign after his Philistine victory, the tale unfolds in a time when Israel’s monarchy is taking shape under divine law. The period features military campaigns, prophetic voices, and a fragile social order bound by covenant rules. The drought and the personal tragedy intensify the sense of divine judgment and accountability.

Location

Jerusalem, Israel

Jerusalem serves as the political and religious heart of ancient Israel, where David rules and the Ark's presence looms over every decision. The city is a backdrop for royal intrigue, court politics, and moral testing under Mosaic law. Its ancient walls frame a story about power, duty, and the consequences of leadership.

🏛️ Jerusalem 🕰️ Ancient Israel 📜 Biblical setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:41

Main Characters – David and Bathsheba (1951)

Meet the key characters of David and Bathsheba (1951), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

David ben Jesse (Gregory Peck)

David is the charismatic yet flawed king of Israel who wields tremendous power. His attraction to Bathsheba and subsequent plot to conceal Uriah’s death reveal a dangerous lapse in judgment. The narrative follows his inner conflict, repentance, and ultimate appeal to divine justice, including Psalm 23 and moments of prayer before the Holy of Holies.

👑 Leadership 😔 Guilt 🕊️ Redemption

Bathsheba (Susan Hayward)

Bathsheba is the wife of Uriah, whose pregnancy becomes the catalyst for David’s crisis. She shares in the moral weight of the affair, and later reveals the truth that Uriah did not return. While she bears responsibility, the story centers on David’s choices and the consequences that follow.

💔 Infidelity 👸 Status 🕊️ Innocence

Uriah the Hittite (Kieron Moore)

Uriah is a loyal soldier whose loyalty to David and his own code is exploited by the king. He is placed at the front lines and dies as a result of David’s attempt to cover up the affair. His steadfastness highlights the human cost of political maneuvering.

🛡️ Loyalty ⚔️ Duty 🕯️ Sacrifice

Nathan (Raymond Massey)

Nathan is the prophet who confronts David with truth and divine judgment. He guides the audience through the moral reckoning that follows the king’s actions. His warnings and messages of accountability frame the story’s spiritual arc.

🗣️ Prophecy ⚖️ Judgment 🕯️ Wisdom

Michal (Jayne Meadows)

Michal, Saul’s daughter and David’s wife, understands the moral stakes of the royal affair. She knows about the indiscretion and informs David that Uriah has not returned. Her perspective adds tension to the king’s dilemma and moral complexity.

👑 Royalty 🧭 Insight 🗣️ Interference

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:41

Major Themes – David and Bathsheba (1951)

Explore the central themes of David and Bathsheba (1951), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔥 Power & Guilt

David’s rise to power collides with a reckless act of desire, revealing how ambition can override moral law. His decision to pursue Bathsheba and then manipulate Uriah’s death expose the corrupting pull of leadership. The story tracks the fallout as the people and prophets question his fitness to rule. The arc culminates in a crisis of conscience and the weight of consequences.

🕊️ Repentance & Justice

Faced with the consequences of his actions, David seeks forgiveness through prayer and humility. He confronts divine judgment and pleads for mercy, even as drought and tragedy strike Israel. The Psalms and sacred rite frame his repentance as a path toward restoration. Ultimately, the narrative presents repentance as a necessary response to wrongdoing.

⚖️ Leadership & Accountability

Nathan challenges David, reminding him that rulers are answerable to a higher law. The people's dissatisfaction reflects a demand for ethical leadership and accountability. The monarchy is portrayed as a moral contract that can endure only through just action and humility before God. The film suggests power without integrity leads to collective suffering.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 19:41

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David and Bathsheba Summary

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David and Bathsheba Summary

David and Bathsheba Timeline

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David and Bathsheba Timeline

More About David and Bathsheba

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