Bathsheba never asked to be seen that day—not by a king, not from a rooftop, not like that. But once she was, everything changed. A glance became a summons. A summons became a scandal. A scandal turned into sorrow—death, deception, and a child lost before ever taking a breath.

This episode, The Dirty Mirror, doesn’t shy away from the complexity of Bathsheba’s story. Was she used? Was she complicit? Was she broken beyond repair? The Bible doesn’t give us every answer—but it gives us enough to wrestle with what it means to be seen through someone else’s distorted lens.

Imagine living with the knowledge that your choices—or someone else’s—left a trail of loss. Imagine wondering whether your reflection could ever look clean again. That’s the weight of the dirty mirror. Not just the grime of sin or sorrow, but the way it clouds how we see ourselves.

And yet, from that broken place, God brings restoration. Bathsheba becomes the mother of Solomon. Her name is remembered in the genealogy of Jesus.

So we ask: What reflections have shaped how you see yourself? Are they true? Or are you still staring into a dirty mirror?

Read 2 Samuel 11–12 and Matthew 1:6 before you begin.

BIBLE STUDY

Spend some time assessing how you evaluate yourself. This study based on the unlikely women in the genealogy of Jesus gives proof that God sees beyond what we see in ourselves. Purchase Check The Mirrors today! (see links above)

ABOUT THE SHOW

Friendly Discourse is a faith-based podcast, co-hosted by former Judge Judith W. Hawkins and Attorney Neibra C. Williams. Designed for women seeking spiritual and personal growth, each episode invites honest reflection on real-life issues like identity, self-worth, and relationships. In this season, the focus is on self-esteem through the lives of the five women in Jesus’s genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Their stories still speak today, offering insight, strength, and truth in a world full of distorted messages. If you’ve ever questioned your value or struggled to see yourself clearly, this series is for you.

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Judith W. Hawkins is an inspirational speaker and author with a deep love for God and a heart for service. She was the first Black woman elected judge in Leon County, Florida, where she served for 18 years. Before serving on the bench, Judith owned her own family law practice, where she hired and mentored Attorney Neibra C. Williams early in her career. She founded Gaza Road Ministries and GRM2, leading international mission work through preaching, teaching, and humanitarian service. Judith continues to inspire others to grow in faith and purpose. She is a widow with an adult son, beloved daughter-in-law and two granddaughters.

Neibra C. Williams is a family law attorney with more than 30 years of experience. A native of Quincy, Florida, she earned her B.S. in Criminology and Juris Doctorate from Florida State University. Early in her career, she worked alongside her cohost former Judge Judith W. Hawkins. Neibra now runs her own law practice, concentrating on divorce, custody, probate, and guardianship cases. Neibra is married, with two adult sons and two granddaughters.