This chapter is the infamous account of David’s lust for Bathsheba, and his many sins that follow.
“The messenger said to David… ‘Some of the king’s servants are dead, and your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.’ David said to the messenger, ‘Thus shall you say to Joab, “Do not let this matter displease you, for the sword devours now one and now another. Strengthen your attack against the city and overthrow it.” And encourage him.’ When the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she lamented over her husband. And when the mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” (v22-27 abr)
I think most of us are familiar with this account – David, who should have been at the battlefield with his army, was lounging around his palace and saw a beautiful woman bathing. He got her pregnant, then tried to trick her husband Uriah into thinking the child was his. When that failed, he had Uriah killed on the battlefield, as well as several other soldiers. Uriah was one of David’s ‘mighty men’ who had served him for many years while he fled from Saul.
Rather than focus on the obvious sins of David, let’s focus on the character of Uriah. Not only was Uriah 100% loyal to king and country, he was full of honor and respect for his countrymen. When David recalls him from the battlefield, he doesn’t lounge about or spend time with his wife, he stays with the servants and guards the palace doors. Even when encouraged by David to drink too much, his honor and sense of duty still keep him rooted at a palace post.
When finally sent back into battle, Uriah is assigned to a unit that was sent into the worst of the battle, into a situation of certain death, yet he went willingly, knowing full well he’d likely perish. That’s just how strong his sense of duty and loyalty was.
Jesus also exhibits this sense of duty and loyalty – He loves His countrymen (us) so much, that He willingly goes into a situation of certain death, knowing He was going to die. He laid his life down for us, to win the war against sin and death.
Despite living some 1500 years before Jesus, Uriah exhibited Christlike characteristics. My encouragement for today is that we recognize Christlike characteristics in ourselves, and in others, and encourage growth in those areas. Let’s bless and encourage each other to become more like Jesus each and every day, so we may be loyal and obedient to God as Jesus was.
Father God, our Lord and King, thank You for Your patience with us. Father we know that we have not always served You to the fullest of our ability. We also admit that we have completely failed at times. Father please forgive us our failures and sin, and please help us to be more obedient and loyal tomorrow, than we were today. Please help us to become Your loyal servants, fully devoted to You, honoring and glorifying You with all that we say and do. In the name of Jesus, Your most loyal servant, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training