Uriah the Hittite

Hittite warrior numbered among David’s “mighty men,” the elite guard who served the king with unwavering loyalty. While Uriah was fighting Israel’s wars at the siege of Rabbah, David committed adultery with his wife Bathsheba and she became pregnant.

Attempting to conceal the sin, David recalled Uriah from battle, hoping he would sleep with his wife. But Uriah refused to enjoy his home while his comrades remained in the field: “The ark and Israel and Judah dwell in booths… shall I then go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife?” (2 Samuel 11:11). His faithfulness sealed his death sentence—David ordered him placed in battle where he would be killed. Uriah’s righteousness stands in stark contrast to David’s sin; the king’s greatest transgression is remembered as “the matter of Uriah the Hittite” (1 Kings 15:5).