Bible Encyclopedias
Uriah

　　Uri´ah (flame of Jehovah), a Hittite, and therefore a descendant of the ancient inhabitants of Palestine, whose name occurs in the list of the 'worthies' or champions of King David, in whose army he was an officer. He was the husband of Bathsheba; and while he was absent with the army before Rabbah, David conceived and gratified a criminal passion for his wife. The king then directed Joab to send him to Jerusalem, but failing to make his presence instrumental in securing Bathsheba from the legal consequences of her misconduct, he sent him back with a letter directing Joab to expose him to the enemy in such a manner as to ensure his destruction. This the unscrupulous Joab accomplished; and David then took the widow into his own harem (2 Samuel 11; ) [DAVID; BATHSHEBA].