2 Samuel 11:11  New International Version (NIV) Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”

For Meditation

His name only invokes identification of Bathsheba, his wife. He is Uriah, the Hittite.  He was the main victim in the David/Bathsheba saga; but how many of us have seriously studied his life for personal edification? How many sermons have you heard that centered around him? That is the unfortunate plight of the real victims of such stories. Their stories are often overlooked. But, when we take a closer look at their lives, we may find gems in their character to instruct us in our walk with Jesus. I believe Uriah is one of such people whose character is worth celebrating and emulating.

He was one of David’s mighty men and faithful servants (2 Sam. 23:39). His character is summarized in his response to David when he tried to lure him to sleep with Bathsheba to legitimize her pregnancy with the king. “Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country” 2 Samuel 11:11. From his response, we learn four characteristics of a loyal soldier in the Lord’s army; for we are in a heated battle.

• Resolute rejection of temptation. Uriah was steadfast in rejecting David’s suggestion and offer – “How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” (11:11). That should be our attitude when tempted (Titus 2:12). We cannot play with fire. It calls for the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18) and alertness (1 Pt.5:8).
• The fear of God. Uriah invoked the holiness of God by the ark which signified the presence of Yahweh in the life of Israel (11a). Consequently, he couldn’t conceive offending Him by what David suggested (8). The believer’s mindset should be about the holiness of God and His presence in the indwelling Holy Spirit. These should rule our thoughts and consideration against anything that defiles.
• The unity and sanctity of the Body of Christ in the face of temptation (11b). Uriah considered the national interest and the sanctity of the camp of Israel and refused to break the law of God (Deut. 23:9, 1 Sam. 21:4-5). When we defile ourselves, we defile and weaken the entire Body of Christ against enemy’s attack.
• Loyalty to Jesus, our Commander, and to one another. Uriah exhibited a strong and unflinching loyalty to Joab and his fellow soldiers (2 Sam. 11:11c). To him, going home to enjoy choice food and sleeping with his wife while His commander and the rest of the troops were camped in the open country was tantamount to betrayal of trust and breaking ranks with his comrades. In the same way, we should defend our loyalty to our Jesus and our fellow Christians against any enticing pleasure and fleshly craving.

In this story, I find Uriah more noble in character than King David. So, as we learn from King David’s failure, so should we also celebrate Uriah’s dignified character, unflinching loyalty to God, and commitment to holiness as worthy of emulation.

Shalom