Uriah, the anti-David

I just got up to 2 Samuel 11 this morning in my daily Bible readings.

It’s a familiar sad story, but I was struck by the contrast between Uriah and David.

David pursues Bathsheba with almost no restraint. He has every reason not to sleep with her. She is not his wife, for starters. In spite of those reasons, we are given a progression of his pursuit of her. Having ‘remained at Jerusalem’ (not fighting with the men), during a restless night of walking on the roof, he sees her bathing (could have left it there, but no). There is a implicit suggestion that he then lingers on the look, for we are told that she was ‘beautiful to behold’. He inquires about her (probably didn’t help). He sends for her (using his power, position and privilege as king). And then lays with her. After hearing of the pregnancy, his pursuit now turns to Uriah, getting him home and (hopefully) into bed with his wife, then getting him drunk, and finally getting him killed.

By contrast, look at Uriah. He is not safe at home, but actively helping fight alongside his fellows. Unlike David, who calls him home, he is unwilling to do what he is entitled to. He has a ‘right’ to sleep with his wife, surely! But he gives up his rights for what is honourable. He would have been tired from battle. He would have missed his wife. Still he chooses honour. Even when David successfully gets him drunk, he opts to sleep outside rather than go in to his house and lay with his wife.

David is driven by his lust. Uriah is driven by his convictions.