The queen "mum"

For many years in England, the titular head of the royal family was not Queen Elizabeth II, who is the current figurehead, but Elizabeth's mother.  She (also called Elizabeth) was small in stature, but she was hugely loved by her people.  Her spirit and demeanor pumped up flagging spirits in England during WWII, so much so that Hitler called her the most dangerous woman in Europe! Upon the death of her husband, her daughter (Elizabeth II) became queen (and she continues today), and Elizabeth I was affectionately referred to by the people as the "queen mum." She was instrumental in guiding her daughter as she assumed the responsibilities of leadership. She had seen a lot, and heard a lot, and learned a lot, and so she taught a lot. (Grin) That's what wise people do . . .

There is a "queen mum" in the Bible, too -- were you aware of that? Someone who was revered, and who gave freely of her wisdom:

When Bathsheba went to King Solomon ...... the king stood up to meet her, bowed down to her and sat down on his throne. He had a throne brought for the king’s mother, and she sat down at his right hand. (I Kings 2:19)

In those times, you were not allowed to sit in the presence of the king, so the fact that Solomon brought a throne and put it at his own right hand, truly elevated Bathsheba and required the respect of all who would come before the king.

King Solomon (or Lemuel, in some verses) mentions in the Proverbs that his mother taught him; she taught him well, and she taught him extensively. The fact that he did not follow all of her advice is a reflection on him, not on her!

How about if we refresh our memory of the introductory verses of Proverbs 31? And just a reminder, if you would like to study this entire passage in depth, we have a study here on the blog that you can utilize.)

The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! Do not spend your strength on women,    your vigor on those who ruin kings. It is not for kings, Lemuel—    it is not for kings to drink wine,
    not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. Let beer be for those who are perishing,    wine for those who are in anguish!Let them drink and forget their poverty    and remember their misery no more. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,    for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly;    defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:1-9)

When we studied Bathsheba earlier, we focused on the portion of her life that has some pretty sordid details. She is seen "in her altogether" and brought to the king's palace. Then, her husband is killed by the king's plans and she is brought to the palace permanently.
This week, let's look at her heritage, and then at her godly (and wise) life after becoming the king's wife.
That will give us a deeper look into her life as a mom . . .