An Innocent Victim
Uriah the Hittite was one of David's mighty men (2 Samuel 23:39). The name Uriah means "flame of the Lord" or "The Lord Is Light." The fact he is called the Hittite suggests that he may have been a foreigner mercenary who become a worshiper of God in Israel. Immediately,a contrast is set before the reader. On the one hand there was David, the Lord's anointed, the regent of God on earth. On the other hand there was Uriah,a convert—a man was not born in the faith of Israel, but who willingly chose it for his own.
David used his authority as king to take advantage of Uriah's wife Bathsheba while Uriah was fighting a war for Israel, as a result of David's sin, Bathsheba became pregnant. David attempted to cover things up by calling Uriah home from battle. If Uriah had relations with his wife while on leave, he might believe the child was his.
However, Uriah, the ever—dedicated soldier, refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his comrades were on the battlefield. In this, he showed himself to be more righteous than David. Uriah's word of 2 Sam. 11:11 must have stung David's conscience. He had neglected his duty! Moreover, he had stolen the wife of one of his best soldiers while his warriors risk their lives for him. Yet David persisted in covering up his sin; he attempted to break Uriah's resolve by giving him too much to drink. But even the effect of alcohol did not soften Uriah determination. Once again, he refused the comforts offered him.
Failing to cover up sin, David plotted the loyal soldier's death. Perhaps David could not face the shame of seeing Uriah after the warrior had learned that David slept with his wife. David's orders—which were carried back to the battle lines by Uriah himself—were for Joab,the commander of the army, to put Uriah in the heat of battle, and then withdraw the other soldiers so that Uriah would be left alone and killed. So Uriah died in battle.
After Uriah's death, David took Bathsheba as his wife as soon as possible, to make it appear that the child was legitimate. However, "the thing that David had done displeased the Lord" (2 Sam. 11:27). Although David had managed to conceal his sin from the people, God knew about it all. David's sin would not go unpunished (ch. 12). Even the king of Israel had to submit to God's discipline.