Every time I read my way through the life of David, I dread this chapter. I hate the stain on David and his leadership, how he collects Bathsheba, and especially his murder of Uriah.

Consider Uriah, one of David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:39). Uriah served David wholeheartedly, never wavered, and even refused to spend the night with his wife when home from battle. David handed him a letter to carry back to the fighting, holding the orders for his death. Uriah, too disciplined to breach military protocol, never considered opening the packet for a look.

This is the man David killed.

Which speaks to the heinous nature of the crime. Uriah did everything right, and yet still lost his life at the hand of a friend. The Bible refuses to sugarcoat life. Sometimes the good die young. Life is inherently unfair, though we are good and right to fight for fairness.

Similar to Uriah, you and I suffer undeserved indignities and pains, sometimes all the way to death.

My hope, our only hope, remains in the Lord. Jesus has overcome the world. The Lord promises wholeness (rather than fairness) in our future.

It helps me to remember that beyond the vain decisions of leaders and kings waits the final judgement of the King of kings.

I Samuel 11 in week twenty of reading the Bible cover to cover

David handing over a letter to Uriah, 1619 by Pieter Lastman