Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” 2 Samuel 11:11 (NIV)
Warriors watch fellow warriors. Legacy and reputations are built on these kinds of observations. The public may have one opinion about a specific commander, but those who served with the commander know much more.
Uriah was a great Israelite warrior, but also a disciplined soldier who never tried to gain special favors above his fellow soldiers.
Need proof? Look at King David’s efforts to cover up his adultery with Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba. He tried to plough Uriah with liquor in order to get him to sleep with Bathsheba. If David succeeded, the pregnancy could then be tied back to Uriah, not David. But this noble warrior wouldn’t take the bait.
David’s plan failed, so he arranged to have Uriah go to the fiercest fighting area where Uriah died defending Israel.
Talk about legacy! Uriah was faithful to the end.
The content of this Devotional comes from “Daily Strength for the Battle (You, God’s Word, 5 Minutes): Volume 6 Developing the Leader in You” (2020) and is copyrighted by Scott and Judy McChrystal. Used with permission.
