Let’s talk about Uriyah for a second.
So who was this guy?
Well, he wasn’t just any soldier.
He was a senior military officer.
He is counted as one of thirty GIBBORIM or “mighty men of Israel” in 2nd Samuel 23.
So, we ain’t talking about your average rank-and-file military official here.
In later chapters, there’s also proof that Bathsheba’s father Eilam was a top civilian official in David’s court.
This explains why Uriyah’s home was located in such a prestigious location inside the City of David.
Now, when Uriyah was suddenly summoned by David to abandon the battlefield, he was confused as to why.
The only conclusion he could come to was the king had some serious business he needed help with.
However, when he arrived at David’s palace in Jerusalem, Uriyah was peppered with what seemed to be unimportant and irrelevant questions.
“How’s Joab doing?”
“How’s the war going?”
“Are the soldiers doing okay?”
There was no hint whatsoever of some secret mission that David might’ve had in mind.
Well, we all know there was a secret mission.
David was plotting to cover up his affair with Bathsheba.
But Uriyah had no idea about that.
Like a good soldier, Uriyah answered David’s questions and assumed that in due time, David would reveal the real reason why he’d been called up from the battlefield.
So instead of heading home, Uriah chose to stay close to the palace with the other men who served the king.
He wanted to be ready, just in case he was needed.
Uriyah’s actions show us exactly the kind of man he was.
He was loyal, honorable, and all about putting duty first.
Nevertheless, David kept trying to get Uriyah to go home…
But nothing worked.
Eventually, Uriyah must have felt like something was up.
“Why in the hell is the king so eager to send my butt home?!” he must’ve been thinking.
Some of the sages also say Uriyah was beginning to suspect foul play between David and his wife.
What would your gut have told you in this situation?
We can only speculate but I think Uriyah’s actions speak volumes.
He decided to not cooperate with David and told him:
“My fellow soldiers are out sleeping in tents on the battlefield.
How could I go home, eat, drink, and be with my wife while they’re out risking their lives?”
Again, we can only speculate.
Was Uriyah purposely avoiding David’s plans?
Or simply acting out of loyalty to his army and conscience?
We don’t know.
But what we do know is that this homie was NOT budging.
Tragically for him, David would NOT be swayed.
David decided if Uriyah wasn’t gonna go along with his plans…
Then, he had to be erased from the picture completely.
Alright, let’s switch over to the takeaway.
Here’s what impresses me about Uriyah.
The homie’s moral backbone was rock solid.
Even when the situation didn’t make sense…
Even when the king’s behavior got sketchy…
He didn’t fold.
He didn’t take the easy way out.
He stayed loyal…
To his men…
To his mission…
And to what he believed was right!
Sometimes, doing the right thing won’t win you any rewards in this life.
In Uriyah’s case, it’s gonna cost him everything.
But character ain’t about outcomes.
It’s about who you are when no one’s watching…
And who you stay true to when the pressure’s on.
And here’s the kicker…
God sees everything.
Even if the world never claps for you…
Even if your story ends like Uriyah’s did…
You better believe that faithfulness like his will be rewarded.
Not always here…
But definitely in the life to come.
We could all use a little more Uriyah in us.
Ya feel me?
Till next time.
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