Uriah’s Death Arranged

II Samuel 11:18–27
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

When David’s scheme to have Uriah spend time with his wife failed he ordered Joab to send him to the front lines where he would be killed. The messenger reported to David the details of the battle (vv. 18-21). The Ammonites had pushed the Israelites back from the city. Joab, however, had been able to rally his forces and push the Ammonites back to the gates of their capital. There the Ammonite archers were able to pick off many Israelites including Uriah.

Hearing the news of Uriah’s death, David realized that his royal orders led to the irresponsible conduct of Joab in ordering the men so close to the walls. He sent word back to his general urging that he not be distraught over the losses or of his complicity in the death of Uriah. In a rather calloused comment the king said  “the sword devours one as well as another.” It seems that David’s response to Uriah’s death was insensitive (vv. 22-25). Deliberate, repeated sinning had dulled David’s sensitivity to God’s laws and others rights. “

Bathsheba went through the motions of mourning for her dead husband. Whether this mourning was sincere or just part of the cover-up plot is not clear. In any case, following this time of mourning (usually seven days), David married Bathsheba. Soon after she brought forth the child which had been conceived in the adulterous union. How many, if any, suspected what had taken place is not indicated. David’s actions, however, were evil in the sight of God (vv. 26-27). The thing that David had done displeased the Lord,” and David did not get by with his sin. Whether it was known in Jerusalem or not, David’s secret sin and our “Secret sin on earth is open scandal in heaven.” God knows all about what we do.

Application

David’s sin dulled his sensitivity to God’s laws. It is my desire to always be sensitive to God’s Word and doing what pleases Him