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Uriah, Your Servant, Is Dead
I
2 Samuel 11-12 by Dr. Rob Debelak
am Uriah. My name means, “The Lord is my light!” I am a
David is apprised: “…Uriah, your servant, is dead” (v 24)
Hittite but hold unyielding devotion for the God of Israel.
and assumes a successful coverup (v 25). The Lord, however,
In life, I knew my wife’s love, the joy of the Promised
unravels David’s scheme with a story of truth! Through the
Land, serving in Israel’s defense, and humbly worshipping
prophet Nathan, God voices my blameless character, deep
before God’s throne. Few know me. Most, instead, know of my beautiful wife, Bathsheba, and the scandal precipitated by David. Our military forces engaged the city of Rabbah (2
Sam 11:1). Joab was in command, our King oddly absent. Distracted, David’s clandestine recon (vv 2-3) and covert operations tragically destroy my family. My beloved Bathsheba became pregnant by David (v 5). Orders arrived, returning me to Jerusalem; I was not told why (v 6). My king asked for a battle report (v 7)—information any officer could relay. He directed me home to rest, furnishing a generous ration of food (v 8)! My honor, though, would not let me enjoy these comforts, so I slept on the doorstep (v 9). Summoned again, David demanded an account of my actions. From a deep sense of allegiance, I explained it was inconsistent with my
affection, and the suffering inflicted on my family. God’s
convictions to be at ease while the Ark of God’s presence and
message brought justice, convicting David of conspiracy, theft,
my brothers in arms are deployed (v 11). I could not relish
adultery, and murder (2 Sam 12: 1-14). My King repented
my wife’s company, my home, or savory foods while the
(v 13; Psalm 51), but his reign would be troubled (vv 10-14).
symbol of God’s throne camped elsewhere or those of my
The expense to my family was the purity of relationship
military unit lacked similar luxury.
and untold agony for my wife—she lost her husband (2 Sam
Unknown to me was the conviction brought upon David. He had not led us against enemy forces (v 1); he was at home, fairing sumptuously (v 8), while others fought his battles and tended his needs (v 1, 4). Remaining unstated between us was his knowledge of a child I would never meet (v 5). David hosted a banquet on the eve of my departure (v
11:26), an innocent son (2 Sam 12:14-23), and her integrity— branded an adulteress. I remain largely unknown, barely a memory of antiquity. I am, though, Uriah—The Lord, indeed, is my light! Readers long to know if Uriah’s life held a shadow of meaning and how God might create brilliant significance from this dark episode. In the fullness of time, the Almighty
compromise. Returning to the front (vv 12-14), I presented
sends His Light to the world (John 8:12)! Though abandoned,
the King’s private letter to commander Joab. Unwittingly, I
betrayed, and unesteemed, his model loyalty to God eclipses all
delivered my death sentence to those who would carry out
others. In refusing every temptation to flinch as fulfilling divine
David’s crime (vv 14-17). Joab ordered us into a fierce fight,
will, the selfless sacrifice of God’s servant still brings offenders
where my fellow warriors withdrew. I fell in battle, as did
to repentance.
others (v 17, 24). I fought and died bravely yet forsaken by King and county (v 21-24).
50 // November 2021
About The Author
13), and though I did not grasp his deception, I would not
Dr. Rob Debelak is an Associate Professor of Bible in Lee University’s School of Religion & Online Program. He has taught at Lee University for over 27 years and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He and his family reside in Cleveland, Tennessee.
