Uriah sat in the king’s gardens, his mind reeling from the recent discoveries and from the afternoon heat mingled with the exotic and foreign scents of flowers. His heart beat fast, and it was difficult to slow his mind down to think through everything. There was a lot going on, and the soldier had to act very carefully with what he knew; he had to have facts, not just feelings or worries. So he thought through what he did know.
Uriah was certain that David was involved in some relationship with a woman (or even women) that was deemed inappropriate by his own servants and that caused the king himself much torment. The poem he found and the servants’ conversation could mean nothing else. Further, Uriah was sure that it was for this reason that the king had called Uriah to meet him for the morning prayers. Perhaps the king had hoped to ask Uriah for advice, or maybe he simply wanted to confide in another, to get the burden of guilt off his chest. Uriah could not be certain exactly why the king had wanted to speak with him, but he was sure it had to be regarding this relationship. The two had been friends for many years, so it was natural that the king would confide in him.
Still, thought Uriah in worry, why not confide in Joab or in his own brothers? I’m not that close to the king. We’ve served together many years, but why confide in me?
Slowly but surely, the thought he dreaded was coming to Uriah. His heart pounded and his vision blurred as the realization came to him that the woman the king had taken into his chambers was Uriah’s own wife.
No, Uriah shook his head. I can’t just make guesses. I don’t know any of this. All I did was overhear a rumor. I don’t have proof for any of this. Uriah did his best to steady his pounding heart, but he was largely unsuccessful. I don’t have proof. All I have are bad feelings.
Uriah tried to console himself, but in his heart he feared the worst.
In his heart, the prince knew it had been guilt that had led the king to send for Uriah. He knew it was guilt that had caused him to break down and weep during the morning prayers. He knew it was fear that had made him unable to speak the words his heart longed to speak, to confess to Uriah what he had done. In his heart, Uriah knew, beyond all doubt, that his king had betrayed him.
I must go to Bathsheba. I have to find out the truth, Uriah decided, walking towards the palace gates. The king had wished for Uriah to return home to his wife and family; that is just what he was heading out to do.
Tags: 2 Samuel, David, honor, Old Testament, sacrifice, Uriah
