Unsung Righteousness: 2 Samuel 11:6-13
Frequently in life, righteousness is displayed by the unsung hero. For example, consider the widow who caught Jesus’ eye because she tithed out of her limited resources rather than out of her excess. There is a woman who certainly could have used her tithe in her life, but she chose to honor God anyways. She had the strength to do the right thing when it mattered.
Bathsheba told David she conceived. The next move belonged to David’s. Rather than confess his sin, he opts to cover it up. David employs deception over honesty. This is one reason this story is so famous. Most of us choose as David chooses. When the consequences of our sin start to come, we try to bury them and get by without being caught.
David sends a message to Joab asking him to send Uriah home. Uriah responds to the summons and promptly returns. David sends him home, sending a gift with him for Uriah and Bathsheba to enjoy together. Unfortunately for David, Uriah doesn’t go home. Uriah steps out of the palace and sleeps at the doorway. It seems like Uriah has more loyalty to David than David had for him.
The skeptics wonder why Uriah didn’t go home. How could this man not want to take the leave given to him and spend a night with his wife? The skeptics believe it possible Bathsheba contacted him to inform him of David’s deception. Or, they think it possible the palace servants informed Uriah of David’s shared sin with his wife.
While certainly possible, the arguments of the skeptics aren’t without holes. If Uriah knew David’s sin, how could he not confront David? If he feared retribution from David, how could he not confront his wife? The simplest answer is usually the best answer. Uriah didn’t go home because he had a strong internal sense of honor.
This leads to David’s second attempt to cover his tracks. When he finds out Uriah didn’t go home to his wife, David sits down and talks to Uriah. After demonstrating his sense of duty, David invites him to stay and feast. During the feast, David offers so much alcohol Uriah ends up drunk. Thinking his problem solved, David sends Uriah on his way.
Once more Uriah doesn’t go home. Uriah finds a place to sleep among the servants. This is more reason to believe Uriah’s honors kept at David’s door. Even drunk, Uriah doesn’t confront David or his wife. This means Uriah probably didn’t know anything about David’s sin with his wife. Uriah honorably stays focused on the task at hand.
This is an interesting juxtaposition between David and Uriah. David is in the leadership position, but instead of setting a good role model he uses his power to attempt to cover his sin. Uriah, who has every reason to feel grateful to the king, looks past David’s invitation and only thinks of honor and righteousness. Frequently in life, righteousness is displayed by the unsung hero.
