Betrayal of a Mighty Man

The other day I was rereading 2 Samuel, and noticed something in the story of David and Bathsheba that I have overlooked time and time again, something I haven’t heard anyone mention in telling this story ever before.

After David sees Bathsheba bathing on the rooftop, he calls a servant over and inquires about the woman, and the servant replies, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" (2 Samuel 11:3)

These are not the only times Eliam and Uriah’s names come up.  They are also listed in 2 Samuel 23: “These are the names of the mighty men whom David had . . . Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite (vs. 34) . . . and Uriah the Hittite (vs. 39).”

Bathsheba’s father and husband were part of the group of 37 mighty men that followed David for years while Saul pursued him.  The mighty men were infamous for their exploits of valor and their incredible love and allegiance to David, before and during his reign.  The idea that David didn’t know who Bathsheba was is hard to believe.  She was the wife and daughter of men in his inner circle.  It’s not inconceivable that he watched her grow up and maybe even attended Uriah’s wedding feast.

When I read this and realized the implications of what David did, sleeping with Bathsheba and then killing a close friend and loyal compatriot to cover it up, I started to cry.  For some reason it took the story out of the realm of history and made it very real. 

Yet despite all of that, God used Solomon, David and Bathsheba’s second son, to continue the kingly line and build the temple. And it was through Solomon’s line that Jesus Christ was born.  If not for David’s sin, there would have been no savior.

Surely if God can work David’s horrible betrayal for good, He can work the hardship in your life for good as well.