The Integrity of a Loyal Husband, Part 1

Have you ever been betrayed by someone you once deeply respected someone you trusted are not alone.

Today on Insight for living trucks went all recounts one of the saddest stories in the Bible when the king sabotaged one of his committed warriors while on the battlefield.

David betrayed Uriah, provoking a sequence of attempted coverups for the truth was ultimately exposed by rehearsing the story.

Our goal is to gain practical instruction on how to cultivate a clear conscience. Check title this message, the integrity of O'Boyle, one of the sadness chapters in all the Bible is the story of one of our heroes and a man he killed and the details of that still surprise you when you have such a high respect is all of us do for the psalmist. David but he was caught in the trap of his own guilt and unwilling to confess is wrong. He he had an innocent man killed to cover his own tracks. I'm referring to second Samuel 11 if you've not yet turned to please do so. I'll be reading from the new living translation may be a little different from the version you use when you follow along.

You see the similarity of the reading. The first 17 verses of second Samuel 11. What I'm calling the integrity of a loyal husband could easily be a loyal warrior Uriah in the spring of the year when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite Army leads see to the city of Rob all. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon after his midday rest. David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace.

As you look out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was. He was told she is Bathsheba, the daughter of Ely and the wife of Uriah the Hittite. Then David sent messengers to get her when she came to the palace. He slept with her universe.

Then she returned home.

Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant.

She sent David a message saying I'm pregnant. Then David sent word to Joab.

Send me Uriah the Hittite. So Joab sent him to David when Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab in the Army were getting along and how the war was progressing.

Then he told Uriah home and relax.

David even sent a gift to Uriah after he had left the palace but Uriah didn't go home.

He slept that night at the palace entrance with the king's palace guard when David heard that Uriah had not gone home, he summoned him and asked what's the matter what you go home last night after being away for so Uriah replied they are in the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents enjoy having my Masters member camping in the open fields. How can I go home to wine and dine and sleep in my wife. I swear that I would never do such a thing. Well stay here today. David's holding and tomorrow you may return to the Army so Uriah stated Jerusalem that day and the next. David invited him to dinner and got him drunk, but even then he couldn't get Uriah to go home to his wife again. He slept at the palace entrance with the Kings palace guard so the next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver the letter instructed Joab station Uriah on the front lines of the battle's fiercest and pull back so that he will be killed. So Joab assigned Uriah to a spot close to the city wall, for he knew the enemy's strongest men were fighting when the enemy soldiers came out of the city to fight Uriah the Hittite was killed along with several other Israelite so sure to download his searching the Scriptures. Studies by going to Insight world.org/studies check title this message the integrity of a loyal husband is a stranger to us. He would certainly no stranger to the people of Israel.

As a matter of fact his name on convinced was was known all across the land. I'm referring to Uriah the Hittite not David the king Uriah is interesting that we can grow up as Christians become somewhat familiar with the Bible and go past significant individuals sort of relegate them to a minor role that sort of forgotten and not that worthy of remembrance. On the contrary, I believe Uriah was a household name.

Certainly within the ranks of the Israeli army and I believe among the people of Israel, but not in chapter 11 of second Samuel, but chapter 23 turned their returning to the end of David's life resorted wraps up a number of things including those who meant so much to him and that adversity he does when he's not done before. He names his mightiest warriors. You will notice these are the names of David's mightiest warriors I'd venture to say that you could name. None of them. I admit like I wouldn't have known or remembered first is just obeying the have a night to see what I'm saying. The backbone night I should say yes hoping he just killed 800 soldiers in one battle with a spear. Other than that, just a day at the office that you should be number one in the list of these mighty men. Second is named for us and the third and the fourth and all the way down to the end of the chapter go with me to the end, we come to this 38 verse Ira from shut here got a rib from shut dear Uriah the Hittite.

There were 37 in all its realize that Uriah the Hittite was among the elite core in the Israeli army we would say one of the medal of honor winners.

One of the fiercest of the warriors well known for his heroic, courageous work on the battlefield well respected among his peers in this 37 in this elite core not unlike our seals or the special forces.

This elite body could have been the original band of brothers. They had each other's back. No doubt a chest full of metals if they gave such back in those days and well respected among the nation.

Interesting.

Interesting that that Uriah the Hittite was an Israeli soldier, not Israeli but Hittite, so he was once among the God worshiping idolaters of the Hittites's name no doubt was not Uriah, which means Yahweh is my light or the Lord is my light. He adopted that name when he converted to Judaism became a part of his now beloved nation which he protects with his life, and if necessary is this is quite a man.

He may have been Hittite in his birth, and blood, but he was Israeli in his heart. It must've been an interesting engagement. If they had such of those ancient days when his eyes fell upon the beautiful daughter of helium were never told how they met or how long they knew one another before there was talk of the wedding. I'm sure the Rabbi of Bathsheba's community felt it was an honor to officiate at the wedding of a about a hero like Uriah in the beauty like Bathsheba. I had hundreds of weddings. In my experience as a minister, none that I prize more than military wedding. If you've ever been to one where officers meet in that band of brothers of come together in the form their swords and when it's time for leaving the ceremony they fly so swords and they form a tunnel and you walk beneath the swords on the way out still gives me a chill on the military, weddings, and I think Uriah's must've been like as he and Bathsheba. She's on his arm but a couple.

They were in a place to live and not even though we have no record of their searching for house. How wonderful it was when the bride and groom were offered a little place in the shadow of the Royal Palace perfect. Uriah admired no one more than the one who occupied that palace. It was his king, whom he defended at any cost. Uriah Bathsheba nestled into that little home to begin their honeymoon together and hope for a wonderful series of springtime days together as they would enjoy pleasures marriage the beginning of life as a couple. Must've been wonderful, beautiful flowers of Israel are in bloom.

The cool breezes from the Mediterranean even reach up as far as elevation Jerusalem one day there's a knock at the door and Uriah reads his orders come from the King. He's ordered into battle, of all things that that treacherous implacable enemy. The ammonites read it again. They're trying to take Rob the city about the in the Army as needed and that means those 37 or least Uriah among the 37 were called into duty and his orders were cut, there's no arguing and no disagreement did Bathsheba must've broken into tears thinking.

Her groom would leave. Who knows what he would face the possibility of being killed in battle was a very real thing is every bride of any any soldier or Marine or sailor knows and he mounts often after a long embrace many kisses and quiet farewells. He makes his way with his with his outfit up to Rob what's interesting is when he gets there. I doesn't see the king.

It was common in ancient days for the king to lead the troops in battle. It's not like that at all. Now that highest ranking general or certainly the commander-in-chief never on the front lines. Always protect but in those days, the king led the fight, but in this day it's Joanne Joab been appointed the field commander.

He will lead the battle. Rob Uriah learns of that, whoever it may be. Certainly cooperate with the plan because Joab is appointed by his king, so Uriah would answer to joy is the battle begin. All of a sudden removed and just a single verse back to Jerusalem to the bedchamber of David who was taking a nap while his soldiers fight whenever told why, why didn't he go into battle. D. Hang back at the palace. For whatever reason, it was late in the afternoon after he had enjoyed a midday rest and he stretches himself sitting on the side of his bed stands up. It must've been hot in the room so he turns and decides to walk out with her might be a cooler breeze on the on the roof of the palace when he does he hears the splashing water.

Davis never taken the time to observe who is neighbors are suddenly he's interested in one of the he sees the body of a beautiful naked woman bleeding you know preachers have down through the years chosen to make Bathsheba a part of this whole illicit affair up, but I find it hard to do that.

I think she may have normally made here she didn't see the King though he saw her and he inquired who she was. He didn't even know the name of the name someone said to him, she is the daughter of helium, the wife of one of the 37 the wife of Uriah the Hittite doesn't phase David.

He says to the servant better for me at this point.

Lust takes over. I pause not to preach here, but just to remind all of us that lust has a way of will as the Proverbs puts it, binding us grinding at us and blinding us blinded by lust, forgetting that he has other women already as wives in the palace he wants another one forgetting who is forgetting the respect but nation has for him is the city of David is the Star of David on the flag this David's Royal Palace right now it's David who wants a woman bring her to me. She comes the two of them live together. Adultery is committed. She quickly is on her way. I think David thought little of it by now. His guilt is blinded him to even a concern about what is happened until he gets word from her changes everything. I'm pregnant now since reading the story and hearing it sitting in this place filled with lights and surrounded by fellow believers. It's a good place to just think clearly which David was not doing when you are concerned now by guilt, as Alexander Whyte puts it, soaked to his eyes in guilt. Your mind plays tricks on you and he commits the second sin in all of time. The first was the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden when they took of the tree.

The second was there hiding rather than admitting to God. They had eaten of the forbidden fruit, they hid and they covered up, interesting words appear in the Genesis account in chapter 3, after they had sinned they knew suddenly that they were naked naked all along.

But when sin came thing for the first time were self-conscious, self-aware, and they covered up as if they could hide from God or cover their sin. David doesn't think of anything you think the one thing I've got to get Uriah in bed with his wife. Whatever it takes.

Uriah is on the battlefront.

Remember, a messenger hands him a message, you are to return to meet with the king and the royal palace.

Remember, Uriah has never read second Samuel 11 season to forget that were were privy to information that even the characters on the page are not. He must've thought. What an honor to pull me from battle. What a privilege it is my friend Mike Chang to ask the audience with me, without hesitation, Uriah takes the message does exactly as it says I can only picture it comes off his mouth as he reaches the steps of the palace. He walks up the palace guard must've stood ramrod attention snapped a salute he returns. It walks in and is escorted back to the private chamber of David, the king as he enters everyone else in the room leaves the door closes in here is that unbelievable moment. He face-to-face with the king of Israel. His heart must've been in his throat when honor and he waits to hear what the King will say the words. Listen to the hypocrite when Uriah arrived. Verse seven David asking joy and progressing. He didn't care about either one. He wanted Uriah home with his wife Uriah was to thought this is going to lead to something far more important than the fine, the battle is going well. Liking grade bursae going home. Uriah wrist rest.

Go home, sure.

Surely this morning David's mind in this. Why is a matter of fact for the first time in his entire life he doesn't obey an order. We read specifically Uriah didn't go home first time that night he slept with the palace entrance guards at the king's palace. This top elite soldier rose up a garment and makes it his pillow and sleeps on the floor right there in the palace listen to the integrity he is speaking to the king of Israel. I could not do that. The art the armies the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, Joab and your and your men are camping in the open fields. How can I go home to why diamonds sleep with my wife. I swear I would never do such a thing. David and we often celebrate as a God-fearing leader at one of his lowest moments, and if it all possible. Please keep listening because Chuck Swindoll will share this unfolding story tomorrow and again on Thursday.

This is insight for living and were talking about the integrity of the loyal husband to learn more about this ministry. Please visit us online@insightworld.org will David's tragic compromise is familiar to most of us but I'm guessing that you for details and nuances to a story that are brand-new to you a check is a way of presenting the biblical record in a manner that helps us relate to each character we see our own weaknesses in theirs and the natural outcome is that we want to apply the wisdom of God's word to our relationships so that we don't make the same mistakes as a next step.

We are recommending that you read one of the many biographies Chuck is written. For instance, he's written an entire book on David and wanted Joseph another biblical hero as well. It's called Joseph a man of integrity and forgiveness. Joseph rose from the pit of prison to the pinnacle of power that along the way. Joseph walked with God and held onto his integrity. With each step. So I got show you through Joseph how to trust him during the challenges of this new year again. Chuck's biography on Joseph is titled Joseph a man of integrity and forgiveness to purchase a copy.

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