The King's Crime: Uncovering the Rape of Bathsheba

Did King David commit adultery—or was it something much darker? In this deeply important episode of Hey Tabi, licensed trauma therapist Tabitha Westbrook examines the true story of David and Bathsheba. Spoiler: It’s not the sanitized ‘affair’ we’ve often been told. It’s a story of power, coercion, and sexual violence—rape by a man in power.Join us as we read 2 Samuel 11 in its entirety, challenge cultural and spiritual myths that have silenced victims for centuries, and explore how this ancient abuse of power still echoes in today’s world—especially in the church. We’ll talk about the real meaning of consent, the trauma of sexual violence, and why it matters to name these truths clearly.We also dig into: ✅ Why Bathsheba’s “consent” wasn’t possible ✅ How spiritual bypassing can harm survivors today ✅ The difference between sin and an abuse of power ✅ The consequences David faced—and what it teaches us about accountability ✅ And how God’s mercy and justice show up even in these heartbreaking storiesIf you’ve ever felt silenced, or if you’ve wondered how to read these hard biblical passages with both faith and trauma-informed compassion, this episode is for you. Because naming the truth is the first step toward real healing.👉 Resources mentioned in this episode:📚 Desiring God Article by John Piper on this scripture - https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/did-bathsheba-sin-with-david🔔 Subscribe for more:Real conversations about trauma, faith, and healingWeekly episodes exploring mental health from a Christian perspective#traumarecovery #biblicaltrauma #domesticabuse #heytabi #sexualviolence #davidandbathsheba #churchaccountability #traumainformedfaith #healingjourney #christianpodcastWanna say hi? Send a text!👍 If this episode resonated with you, please like, subscribe, and share to help others who need this information!📖 Order Body & Soul, Healed & Whole: An Invitational Guide to Healthy Sexuality After Trauma, Abuse, and Coercive ControlWanna support Hey Tabi? Buy me a coffee here - https://buymeacoffee.com/heytabi📩 Connect with Tabitha & The Journey and The Process:💻 Tabitha's Website - www.tabithawestbrook.com📲 Tabitha's Instagram - www.instagram.com/tabithathecounselor🎙️ Podcast Homepage - https://heytabi.buzzsprout.com💻 The Journey & The Process Website - www.thejourneyandtheprocess.comSubscribe to our YouTube Channel & watch podcast episodes there🚨 Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy and is intended for educational purposes only. If you're in crisis or need therapy, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional.Need to know how to find a great therapist? Read this blog post here.