view as web pdf Uriah the Faithful Soldier of Israel

As we all know, Uriah was the husband of a beautiful woman who, because of her beauty, had attracted the attention of a well-known king of Israel – David. David’s attraction to this woman grew into action. As a result he committed two sins – murder and adultery. All this reminds us of James’ words, “But every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (1:14, 15). So David’s later troubles in his kingdom were due to his sin with Bathsheba.


King David handing the letter to Uriah (2 Samuel 11:14)

Why have we entitled this article thus? Because of Uriah’s very own words in 2 Samuel 11:11, “And Uriah said to David, 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, I will not do this thing.” The thing is that these faithful men teach us a very important lesson: they suffered for no apparent reason. The question is: Are we prepared to suffer for being faithful? Yes, true soldiers of Christ are asked to carry their own cross and follow their captain (Matt. 16:24). “….And that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

In order to put more light on Uriah’s words, let us quote Paul’s words to Timothy, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Tim. 2:4). With these words in mind, let us think: Was Uriah wrong to decline the king’s request? I feel he was not wrong, due to the fact that he was a soldier on duty.

The Bible has several names of people, besides Uriah, who were faithful to their duties or their words; to name a few:

1| Joseph, in Potiphar’s service in Egypt, was faithful, refusing to lie with his master’s wife (Gen. 39:7-12).

2| Abraham did not withhold Isaac his son from being a sacrifice to God (Gen.22).

3| Jephthah was true to his words in his vow to God (Judges 11:39).

4| Jesus, the chief of all faithful men, was a man who was faithful and obedient unto death (Heb. 5:8).


To know the nature of the times is the best qualification for bearing them. The Bible view tranquilizes them all. It reveals the barren nature of the age now current upon the earth, and it comforts with the assured prospect of the feast of fat things which the Lord of Hosts will prepare - not only for his waiting and fasting children, but for “all people that on earth do dwell.”

Brother Robert Roberts

~ Diary of a Voyage ~

Bro Sylvester Tembo (Mzuzu, Malawi)


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