Uriah: a mighty man under David

Uriah was one of King David's soldiers. He was of an ordinary rank. That apart, he was not a Jew. Yet, he associated himself with David -- a person annointed by God.

When Uriah went to war under the leadership of Judah's general Joab, David committed adultery with Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. When David came to know that Bathseba was pregnant due to his illegal relationship, he tries to cover up his sin and shift the blame. He asks Joab to send back Uriah from war. Totally unware of the happenings in his home town, Uriah returns and meets David.

King David requests Uriah to go down to his house and take rest. That apart, David sends costly gifts to him. The idea was to put the cause of pregnancy on Uriah. But Uriah does not go to his house. He sleeps at the entrance to the king's palace along with other servants. When David comes to know this, he persuades Uriah to go to his house. Uriah replies that he would not go home till his fellow soldiers, Joab, and the covenant box return to the country after winning the war.

Thereafter, David goes to the extent of getting Uriah to drink -- expecting that Uriah would go home under the influence of liquor. Even in the drunken stage, Uriah does not go to his house. When his efforts failed, David sends Uriah back to the battle field. In this context, I would like to mention, 3 relevant thoughts:

Thought 1
A quick reading of these portions in II Samuel Chapter 11 makes us feel that Uriah is great. The incidents narrated therein are an eloquent proof to his extra ordinary level of integrity and commitment to duty. Though he is not a Jew, his concern for the covenant box is really remarkable. Again, he was equally concerned about the safety of his fellow soldiers. Winning the war and safely returning the Box was his priority. This was occupying his mind completely. Other things were just secondary to him. Nothing could deter his mind from this. Uriah's behavior is admirable and contrary to what we normally see -- people are often selfish and do not bother about the welfare of others.

Thought 2
Secondly, everyone loves to have a break and rest while engaged in work. Here, Uriah certainly needed some break, rest, and diversion as he has been fighting all along. No one would fail to avail this, when such a concession is offered by the king himself. But his concern for the Ark, , and fellow soldiers was so deep, he did not hesitate to reject the vacation. What is more astonishing is that even under the influence of alchocol he never allowed this concern to diminish. It is very difficult to see a person like this. Though his ranking in the list of mighty men in terms of valour is low, in respect of character he tops the list.

Thought 3
Recognising the excellent qualities, Mathew while listing the genealogy of Christ mentions that Bathseba was the wife of Uriah. Though it was not relevant to mention his name here, he could not omit his name as he was impressed by Uriah's powerful witness. (See Mathew 1/6).

Summary
The name "Uriah" means the flame of the Lord. True to the this name, he was shining like a star. People around the world may live in a routine, casual, ordinary life. But we are called upon to live differently, perhaps distinctly different as Uriah lived.