The list of David's mighty men ends with one name: "Uriah the Hittite: thirty and seven in all" (2 Samuel 23:39). He was a foreigner by birth and one of the most loyal men in Israel's army.
A Soldier Who Would Not Go Home
While the army besieged Rabbah, David took Bathsheba, Uriah's wife, and then called Uriah back from the front, hoping he would go home (2 Samuel 11:1–8). Uriah slept at the door of the king's house instead.
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.— 2 Samuel 11:11 (KJV)
Faithful Unto Death
David sent him back carrying the letter that ordered him placed in the hottest fighting, and Uriah died at the wall of Rabbah (2 Samuel 11:14–17). God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David: "Thou art the man" (2 Samuel 12:7). David confessed, "I have sinned against the LORD" (2 Samuel 12:13; see Psalm 51).
What Uriah Teaches Young Men
Integrity does not depend on whether your leader keeps his. Uriah kept faith with his brothers in arms and with the ark of God. Scripture preserves his name among the mighty men, and even in Matthew 1:6.
41 bold coloring pages of King David's warriors, straight from 2 Samuel 23 and 1 Chronicles 11. Ages 5–99+. Paperback, $9.99.
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