2 Samuel 11:7-15 And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. [8] And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. [9] But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and went not down to his house. [10] And when they had told David, saying, Uriah went not down unto his house, David said unto Uriah, Camest thou not from thy journey? why then didst thou not go down unto thine house? [11] And Uriah said unto David, The ark, and Israel, and Judah, abide in tents; and my lord Joab, and the servants of my lord, are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house, to eat and to drink, and to lie with my wife? as thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing. [12] And David said to Uriah, Tarry here to day also, and to morrow I will let thee depart. So Uriah abode in Jerusalem that day, and the morrow. [13] And when David had called him, he did eat and drink before him; and he made him drunk: and at even he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, but went not down to his house. [14] And it came to pass in the morning, that David wrote a letter to Joab, and sent it by the hand of Uriah. [15] And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.
There are four characters in this unfolding story: David, Bathsheba, Uriah and Joab
David
A king in his pomp and pageantry was suddenly caught in the web of temptation after seeing a woman having her shower on the rooftop. Physical vision depending on what it focusses on can become a spiritual liability. We have to be careful what we see because the eyes are the window into our soul. Something is registered inside of us when we look at something or someone. In some cases, there is a trigger within depending on how you reflect on such. David did not seek God’s help to destroy the evil desire that was raging and eating him up on the inside. He allowed lust take over and he totally lost control and allowed his flesh take charge. What do you meditate on
Proverbs 6:25-28 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. [26] For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. [27] Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? [28] Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
While the verses above are focussed on the whorish woman making an advance, even in such a case, grave danger is present. David on the other hand was the one who drew problem to himself. David was playing with fire but it seemed he was oblivious of the depth of what he was about stepping into. As long as you have life and are conscious, you are exposed to temptation. The step away from destructive sin is just milliseconds away if we are not conscious and quick to seek divine help especially in areas where we are weak.
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
It is only a fool that would ever think he/she is beyond temptation. It is the pinnacle of pride to do so.
David, a man that had encountered God in a such remarkable way, suddenly lost sight of God. The reverence that had drawn him into the outstanding relationship he enjoyed with God suddenly evaporated, it took flight when the flesh was allowed to take control. A king and leader who was supposed to protect his subjects allowed his personal interest compromise his commitment and allegiance towards .
One of the things that stirs up the anger of God is using one’s authority, money or influence to forcefully take away what belongs to a person who is vulnerable or disadvantaged. Ahab and his wife were guilty of same in their selfish and evil scheme against Naboth the Jezreelite. The consequence was grievous.
1 Kings 21:3-13 And Naboth said to Ahab, The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee. [4] And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him: for he had said, I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers. And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread. [5] But Jezebel his wife came to him, and said unto him, Why is thy spirit so sad, that thou eatest no bread? [6] And he said unto her, Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite, and said unto him, Give me thy vineyard for money; or else, if it please thee, I will give thee another vineyard for it: and he answered, I will not give thee my vineyard. [7] And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. [8] So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth. [9] And she wrote in the letters, saying, Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: [10] And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die. [11] And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them.
As a soldier in God’s army, can you be counted on? Do you think about the welfare of others involved in this spiritual warfare we are in? Where do your allegiance lie? Are you willing to sacrifice personal convenience for God and the body’s sake? The calling of a soldier of Christ, is never one of promotion of personal interest or self will but rather to live as the One who gave His life to redeem us did.
Bathsheba
is another primary character. Much is not spoken about her reaction to king David’s unwholesome advance. We are not told if she made attempts to resist him. The consequence of refusing the King who had absolute powers in this era was obvious. Despite her vulnerability, she had a voice and had a marriage to stand up for. Did she stand up to fight for her marriage or was she attracted to power and influence that would come as a result of being with a king?
God told Abimelech that she was a dead man when he unknowingly took Sarah to be his wife due to Abraham’s deception. I strongly believe that God would have divinely shifted things to ensure King David came to his senses if Bathsheba had cried out unto God, it is my assumption she went with the flow. Fight for your relationship
The anatomy of temptation is such that it begins in ways that seem harmless. A single temptation can escalate into a grievous sin that could involve destruction of lives as the case with David, if the voice of the devil is not shut up with God’s word. Jesus Christ used the word of God to silence the devil did when he tried to tempt Him,
Uriah was unfortunately unaware that his own king was scheming for his demise, he continued in loyalty. May God preserve you from enemies you would never have even thought in your wildest dream that they were plotting against you. May God expose them and their schemes. Joab received the instruction contained in David’s letter unfortunately conveyed by Uriah. When we serve, there are some instructions that carry evil consequences even when such are not openly expressed.
Joab
He was aware that Uriah was being set up for death, he knew that pulling away other soldiers in the heat of battle would leave Uriah exposed and vulnerable to the enemy’s firepower, yet he proceeded. Joab was more willing to obey the king than act to save the life of a faithful soldier. He received an order but his actions on the message was his prerogative. How would you have acted if you were in Joab’s position? Are you too afraid to seek God’s face for those who are in your care or is your concern more about your position or the trappings of office?
2 Samuel 11:16-17 And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were. [17] And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
Uriah
Uriah was a faithful man, a galant and brave soldier. He was selfless, he put the interest of the Lord, the army and his commander before his. He refused to go to his house rather desiring to sleep with David’s servants because he did not believe it was appropriate for him to sleep in his bed while his colleagues were out on the battle front. He unfortunately fell due his leader’s uncontrolled and untamed passion but as his story is being told thousands of years after, his outstanding qualities are celebrated.
It must have been devastating for Uriah to look back and see that his colleagues had deserted him. The momentary sense of abandonment felt even before the enemy soldiers struck him down is reminiscence of Apostle Paul while a prisoner and Jesus’ betrayal and His statement on the cross. It is gut wrenching when those who should have stood with you abandon you. Uriah a husband, citizen and faithful soldier, was senselessly sacrificed because of one man’s lust. Never be a part of any scheme intended to destroy anyone. Step far away from such no matter what is going to be in for you. Those who walk on such an evil path acquire and build what they never live to enjoy and even if they live, it will be nothing but an abundance of chaos and sorrow. David’s approach to Uriah was an enemy’s kiss. He had deep evil in his heart while trying to be nice to Uriah.
Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful
Colossians 3:5 - Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh
1 Peter 2:11 – Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
The rat blows a victim’s feet gently to desensitise the person while at the same time trying to eat the person’s flesh. May God preserve you from the kiss of your enemy, receive divine discernment to circumvent the schemes of the enemy. You may be feeling lonely and abandoned right now but I would want you to know that God is strongly with you if you believe in Him.
While not undermining the significance of human relationships, God’s presence is what we must see as most important. Even if man may choose to withdraw from you in order to sabotage or compromise your life, God will be with you, we are divinely kept. Step away from sin and not faithful soldiers of God, rather celebrate such