Who was Uriah the Hittite in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Uriah the Hittite was one of King David's elite warriors, known for his loyalty and bravery. Despite his dedication, he became a victim of David's scheme to conceal his adultery with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, after she became pregnant. David's initial attempts to cover up his sin failed when Uriah, out of loyalty to his fellow soldiers, refused to go home to his wife. Consequently, David arranged for Uriah to be placed in the front lines of battle, ensuring his death. David and Bathsheba’s first child died as an act of divine judgment, but their second child was Solomon. Uriah is mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1:6 in reference to Solomon: “David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah.” Uriah the Hittite is remembered as a man of exceptional character.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Uriah the Hittite was one of David's "mighty men," or elite warriors, a group of men who distinguished themselves with achievements on the battlefield (2 Samuel 23:8–39).
• Uriah is best known for being the man David commanded to be killed in order to cover up the fact that David impregnated Uriah's wife, Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11—12).
• While Uriah was known as "the Hittite," he was obviously loyal to David and the Israelites instead of identifying with his own people, who were enemies of Israel.
• Uriah’s wife Bathsheba was "the daughter of Eliam" (2 Samuel 11:3), another of David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23:34). Uriah must have been a well-respected man among his fellow warriors to be entrusted with Eliam's daughter's hand in marriage.
• While Uriah and the Israelite army were out fighting, David stayed behind in Jerusalem where he saw Bathsheba and wanted her for himself. "So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her" (2 Samuel 11:4). Upon discovering that she had conceived during this encounter, David devised a plan to bring Uriah home from battle and return him to his wife so that the baby would be believed to be Uriah's.
• When summoned, Uriah obediently left the battlefield and reported to David in Jerusalem where he gave David an account of how the war was progressing. David then sent Uriah home to his wife with a personal gift, but Uriah felt such loyalty to his fellow soldiers that he refused to indulge in the comforts of home and his wife while the army was still enduring the hardships of war (2 Samuel 11:11). The next day, David enticed Uriah to get drunk, seemingly hoping that drunkenness would change Uriah’s mind. However, even in his drunkenness Uriah "did not go down to his house" (2 Samuel 11:13). His commitment to doing what he considered to be the right thing was in stark contrast to David's willingness to engage in blatant sin.
• When David saw that his plan did not work, he resolved to have Uriah killed in battle so he could then marry Bathsheba and make the pregnancy look legitimate. David wrote instructions for the army commander to place Uriah "in the forefront of the hardest fighting and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die" (2 Samuel 11:15). The fact that David needed the army to be commanded to draw back from Uriah reveals what an accomplished warrior Uriah must have been, to have to be abandoned in the hardest fighting in order to ensure his death. Ironically, David entrusted Uriah with this letter that commanded his death. Uriah was a trustworthy and honest man, for he carried this letter, unopened, to his commander. Uriah then obediently and valiantly followed his commander's orders and died in battle (2 Samuel 11:16–17).
• David married Bathsheba, "but the thing that David had done displeased the LORD. And the LORD sent Nathan to David" (2 Samuel 11:27—12:1). Nathan confronted David about these sins by telling him a story of a rich man who took a poor man's lamb, that "was like a daughter to him" (2 Samuel 12:3), to prepare as food for a traveler rather than kill a lamb from his own flock. David was angry at the rich man in the story, saying that man "deserves to die" (2 Samuel 12:5). Nathan replied, "You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7). He then shared with David what the Lord said about the gifts He had given David, David's sins, and its consequences (2 Samuel 12:1–15). David confessed and repented (2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 51). However, negative consequences remained, including the death of the son Bathsheba had borne as well as continued strife and violence within David's household (2 Samuel 12:10–12, 14–23).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In the genealogy of Jesus recorded in Matthew 1:6 the ancestors listed include, "Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah." Even though he is not genetically connected to the Messiah, Uriah the Hittite is still given an honorable mention in Jesus' genealogy. Taking into account his love for and loyalty to the Israelite people, his bravery and impeccable character, it is easy to see why Uriah is given this honor.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Uriah the Hittite's unwavering integrity and loyalty serve as a powerful example of maintaining one's principles despite personal hardship. Uriah fought on behalf of the Israelites instead of on behalf of the Hittites, showing that he followed what he believed was right, not what was expected of him. Following his principles instead of his comforts is also seen in his refusal to indulge in the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers endured the hardships of war. This illustrates a profound commitment to duty and honor. In our own lives, we can apply this lesson by prioritizing our responsibilities and staying true to the values of the Bible, even when faced with tempting or challenging situations. Uriah's story reminds us that true integrity involves making difficult choices that reflect our deepest commitments and principles. Ultimately, living with such integrity not only preserves our personal honor but also leaves a lasting legacy of character and righteousness.

UNDERSTAND

• Uriah the Hittite was one of David’s “mighty men” who fought on behalf of Israel.
• Uriah the Hittite was married to Bathsheba, with whom David committed adultery.
• Despite David trying to have Uriah give in to the comforts of home so he could cover up his sin, Uriah continued to do what he believed was right.

REFLECT

• How does Uriah the Hittite's unwavering integrity challenge your own commitment to your principles in difficult situations?
• Reflect on a time when you faced a moral dilemma. How did you respond, and what lessons did you learn from that experience?
• Consider the sacrifices Uriah made for his principles. What sacrifices are you willing to make to uphold your values and honor?

ENGAGE

• In contemporary society, many follow their comforts rather than doing what is right at all costs. How can we help ourselves choose integrity over convenience?
• How does the story of Uriah the Hittite challenge prevalent cultural norms that prioritize personal gain over moral righteousness? How can we encourage a culture of integrity in our communities and workplaces?
• David tried to cover up his sin by murdering Uriah the Hittite. Although Uriah did die, what do we learn about God’s judgment of sin, and how can we trust in His plans and character in the light of injustice, such as the death of Uriah?