IntroductionThe story of David and Bathsheba has interested commentators of all eras. This narrative focuses on David's sin and provides insight into the sinful and fallen nature of man, and offers the reader the lesson that this is the nature that we possess. The story focuses on literary elements, including character development, plot, and setting of the story. This essay will summarize the story of David and Bathsheba and outline the literary techniques used by the narrator. Literary Characteristics The story of 2 Samuel 11:1-27 includes four main characters who are David, Bathsheba, Uriah and Joab. David is a rounded character because he is a developed character, whose story begins in 1 Samuel 16. David was chosen by God to be the king of Israel in place of Saul, who disobeyed and sinned against God without repent properly. Bathsheba is another round character in the story. She is mentioned by name only once (verse 3), and then called the woman, or wife, of Uriah. She plays an important role when David commits the grave sin of adultery with Bathsheba. Uriah is a flat character because he describes a quality in the story, namely devotion to King David. 2 Samuel 11:11 says: Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in temporary shelters, and my lord Joab and my lord’s servants are camping in the open country. Should I then go home to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? By your life and the life of your soul, I will not do this thing” (NASB). Joab's character as an agent moves the story forward. Joab is ordered by David to place Uriah at the forefront of the battle so that he can be killed to cover up David's sin of adultery. Joab is ...... middle of paper ......ord. As mentioned earlier, as Christians we must also be able to confess our sins to God. Conclusion This essay has reviewed the literary elements included in the story of David and Bathsheba. These include character development, plot, and setting the story. The story of David and Bathsheba reveals the sinful nature of man and how it causes destruction in people's lives. David may have been a man after God's own heart, but he failed when he committed adultery and murder. History continues to show that true repentance is always forgiven by God. Christians can learn from this story to seek God's will and rely on the Holy Spirit to stay away from sin. When sin occurs, the person must confess it to the Lord and is then forgiven. The story also demonstrates that God is always in control and his will is always done..