Mata Hari
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Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, more commonly known as Mata Hari, was a Dutch exotic dancer so provocative that she captivated both men and women by the thousands.
Mata Hari’s erotic charms granted her access to the most notable international public figures both publicly and privately. This insider’s access led to government agencies courting her — all in the hopes that she’d demonstrate her allegiance by becoming a spy during World War I.
Although sources report that Mata Hari never officially acted on the invitation, the French prosecuted her for being a German spy and sentenced her to execution by firing squad.
Newspapers reported the execution of the greatest female spy in history, yet those who made her acquaintance will never forget the woman who should have been known for being the pioneer of striptease dancing.
Bathsheba
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One of the most scintillating Bible stories involves a selfish king and a married woman.
It goes like this: King David saw Bathsheba bathing one day, decided that he wanted her and raped her. Already having a harem of wives and concubines, King David wanted to add Bathsheba to his brood.
If Bathsheba wasn’t already married to one of King David’s warriors there would be no issue. But because of her marital status and the fact that she became pregnant, King David had a problem to solve.
Thus, David decided to have Bathsheba’s husband killed in battle. His plan went off without a hitch — that is, until God stepped in. Apparently, God was not pleased with David’s plan and opted to punish David for his deeds. As a result, Bathsheba’s newborn son died.
Labeled an adulteress, scorned by God himself, and last in a succession of women who shared King David’s bed, Bathsheba should have disappeared into the folds of history. Instead, she made history by giving birth to the future King Solomon.
Until her death, Bathsheba remained an influential figure at the right hand of Solomon, a king whose wisdom and wealth surpassed that of all of his ancestors.
