Other than this narrative, Uriah, the Hittite, is mentioned, interestingly, only once more: in the genealogy of Jesus; “David was father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife” (Matthew 1:6). God remembered Uriah! I can’t remember ever hearing a sermon or reading of Uriah being a righteous man.  Yet, though most subtly here, Uriah, a Hittite, acted more piously and righteously than David

King David is known as “a man after God’s own heart.” The prophet Samuel told King Saul his kingdom would not endure: “The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you” (1 Samuel 13: 14). That “man after His own heart,” was David.

This is most remembered about David and his illustrious feats recorded in the Old Testament. However, David as king became proud—a pride resulting in heinously sinning—involving adultery, coercing a warrior to become drunk, and ordering the murder of a righteous man.  How many sinful acts can be compared to David’s?

It began with seeing a beautiful woman bathing, arousing uncontrollable desire on his part.  He inquired about her and learned she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, the Hittite.  He sent for her despite knowing she was married, and committed adultery with her.  She conceived and sent back this word to him.

Having forgotten what he knew to be true, it was his son Solomon who would write later: “One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, but one who confesses and abandons them will find compassion” (Proverbs 28: 13). David covered up his sin. He did so with plans that consequently added to and deepened his sin. 

Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, is regularly referred to as “the Hittite.”  Hittites were previously Israel’s idolatrous enemies.  As a warrior for Israel, Uriah must have trusted in Yahweh, the God of Israel.

David’s first plan involved sending word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” When Uriah arrived, David inquired of Joab and the condition of the war.  David told Uriah to go down to his house, and sent a gift after him.  He hoped Uriah would sleep with his wife.  However, Uriah did not go to his house but slept at the door to the king’s house with all the king’s servants. When this was reported to David, he asked Uriah why he didn’t go to his house.  Uriah replied: “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in temporary shelters…Should I then go to my house to eat and drink and to sleep with my wife?  By your life and the life of your soul, I will not do this thing.”

When Plan A did not work, David applied Plan B, urging Uriah to remain in Jerusalem at which time he summoned Uriah to eat and drink with him. He made Uriah drunk thinking he’d return to his house.  Uriah didn’t and again slept with the king’s servants.  Plan C was put in place: David wrote Joab and sent the letter with Uriah, saying: “Station Uriah on the front line of the fiercest battle and pull back from him, so that he may be struck and killed.” According to the biblical account, the men of the city of Rabbah went out to fight against Joab. Some of David’s men died as did Uriah, the Hittite.

Joab sent a messenger to report the events of the war and loss of men to the king.  He instructed the messenger to finish his message with this word: “Your servant Uriah the Hittite also died.” Notice the words, “Your servant.”  Is it possible Joab attempted to cause David some guilt and shame by personalizing Uriah’s relationship to David?  

When Bathsheba finished her time of mourning, David sent for her to be brought to his house and to become his wife.  She then bore him a son.  What David did was recorded as evil in the sight of God.

Other than this narrative, Uriah, the Hittite, is mentioned, interestingly, only once more: in the genealogy of Jesus; “David was father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife” (Matthew 1:6). God remembered Uriah! I can’t remember ever hearing a sermon or reading of Uriah being a righteous man.  Yet, though most subtly here, Uriah, the Hittite, acted more piously and righteously than David, and after all David experienced and received of God!  Apparently, the Ark of the Covenant, representing the presence of God, was devoutly and significantly most important to Uriah.

Perhaps Uriah, the Hittite, deserves to be considered a martyred hero in not only this biblical record but also in Israel’s history. It’s a valid thought based on the biblical record, isn’t it?

Helen Louise Herndon is a member of Central Presbyterian Church (EPC) in St. Louis, Missouri. She is freelance writer and served as a missionary to the Arab/Muslim world in France and North Africa.