People From the Bible
* Uriah the Hittite, a soldier in King David's army in the Books of Samuel. He was the husband of Bathseba and a soldier who was set to die in battle so that king David could marry his wife, whom he fell in love with when he saw her taking a bath.
The story of David's seduction of Bathsheba, told in 2 Samuel 11, is omitted in Chronicles. The story is told that David, while walking on the roof of his palace, saw Bathsheba, who was then the wife of Uriah, bathing. He immediately desired her and later made her pregnant.
Wikipedia says: "In an effort to conceal his sin, David summoned Uriah from the army (with whom he was on campaign) in the hope that Uriah would re-consummate his marriage and think that the child was his. Uriah was unwilling to violate the ancient kingdom rule applying to warriors in active service. Rather than go home to his own bed, he preferred to remain with the palace troops.
After repeated efforts to convince Uriah to have sex with Bathsheba, the king gave the order to his general, Joab, that Uriah should be placed in the front lines of the battle, where it was the most dangerous, and left to the hands of the enemy. Ironically, David had Uriah himself carry the message that ordered his death. After Uriah was dead, David made the now widowed Bathsheba his wife."
In this story King David is not exactly the noble monarch we always honour. Uriah is the noble and loyal character!
* Uriah, a priest under Ahaz in the Books of Kings
* Urijah, a prophet murdered by Jehoiakim in the Book of Jeremiah
* Uriah, a priest and the father of Meremoth in the Book of Ezra and Book of Nehemiah
* Uriah, a priest whom God offers to call as a witness in the Book of Isaiah
Uriah was and is still a common name although not often used. I remember that Dickens named one of his characters in David Copperfield, Uriah Heep, who was a despicable creep.( this rhymes!) I've heard just now that there is also a band called Uriah Heep. I didn't know that. As I have been dedicating my entries for the last three months to Israel, I was looking for a biblical name starting with U , I found this man who was a loyal soldier of king David of Israel. I shall continue to write about Israel til October.
With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC. For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar. This week we are looking for words beginning with U.
29 comments:
My first thought was the BAND Uriah Heep!
Interesting and informative post for the letter U and like Roger my first thought was Uriah Heep.
What an interesting post for the U day, Wil! I can always count on learning something from your posts! Have to admit that like the others, my first thought was the band, too!! Hope your week is going well!
Sylvia
Great post! In a closer read of KINGS, one unfortunately finds many instances where David is not the noble king we often think he was. His relationship with Jonathan is yet one other example.
Again, great post - have a great week.
I have done a study of David and I think that is just the point - he was not a perfect man. Yet he had a role in the history of time in that Jesus came from his line. It's a fascinating story about how he tried to trick Uriah but Uriah ended up being the better man. Great post, Wil, and have a great week,
Leslie
abcw team
I have always felt a great deal of sympathy for Uriah - David could be a real rogue!
And yet God called David, a man after his own heart.
Ann
I'm so glad the Bible tells the good, the bad and the ugly. David was all. But he did have a repentant heart, and that what we all need to get past the bad and ugly.
Sometimes strict adherence to the rules is less important than sensitivity to circumstances and to the hints of others!
Aloha from Waikiki, Dear Friend
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
It's amazing that God could call David a man after His own heart -- yet I am sure He does so because David was humble enough to admit to his sin. In his Psalm 51, David shows how truly repentant he was. I think God knows how weak we are, but is blessed when we acknowledge our weakness and our need for Him to forgive.
As for David and Jonathon, the nature of their relationship is truly speculation
This goes to show that you are really an avid reader Wil. Wish I know more things like you do but am glad you are sharing it with us.
Up and Down
Rose, ABC Wednesday Team
What a view! And an interesting U for the day...
This is a great 'U' post. Thanks for posting it and your entire series on Israel.
Very informative!
Poor Uriah. This is one part of the story of David that makes me 'boycott his fan club.' (In high school we would play Bible games eg name handsome kings, rich private guys, gorgeous princes - hunks in the Bible)
It is not a common name in modern Israel, but I know one young man named Uriah.
Very interesting ! the landscape picture reminds me the Atlas in Morocco !
interesting take
I do believe you have found the most original word for the letter U today.
I do like that David wasn't perfect and could be calculating just like us. God's forgiveness gives me hope and Faith.
I always associate it with the Dickens character. I don't think it would be a popular name after that portrayal. Didn't know the bible story.
A unique post indeed. I don't believe I have ever heard that rather sad story about David and Uriah. It does show a different side of David. Like others here, the band came to mind before the Dickens character. Uriah Heep is a band that earns points in my book because I can understand their lyrics.
Dear wil,
Great picture of course and good job in sharing an interesting part of David's life. Thank you very much.
came via Roger's blog re Unions.
Today, in New Zealand the union won, govt zero, they were going to cut teachers, cut technical classes, up class sizes, Union got all the teachers, and parents to protest. The minister withdrew. Ya!!!!
I agree, David is definitely not always a righteous and upstanding kind of guy! This story always fascinates me...perhaps it is a comfort to know even those who act like David did here can rise above such behaviour and go on to do great things.
Love the Uriah Heep-despicable creep rhyme! :)
Hi Anne, I can't answer you on your blog. Thank you for your comment. Yes David was a human being like us and capable of all kind of crimes and all kind of good things as well.
Yes, Uriah was an unsuspecting pawn in David's plan, but an honorable man none-the-less. But for all of David's screw-ups, he was a repentant man and humbled himself each time. Great post and bit of history.
Wonderful post, fascinating in fact. Thank you!
Very good! I always enjoy a little delving in to history. I'm happy to learn the meaning of this name.
David is such an interesting historical character, he embodies so much of the average and the GREAT men.
ugly man mask
Post a Comment