(contd.)
King David brought this mess upon her; he would have to think of another way to save her life. God knew she was not a loose woman, she would continue to trust Him, she decided, fighting the fear that suddenly gripped her. She would have loved to talk to someone, but with the way things were, she must not.
**********
In the morning, Ziv came to David and said, “My lord, I thought I should let you know that Uriah did not go home to sleep.”
David jolted as if by electric wire. “He did not go home? W-why? Where is he?”
“He’s sleeping at the entrance to the palace with us.”
David frowned. Sleeping at the entrance with the servants? Why?
Raising his chin, he asked, “Do you know why?”
Ziv shook his head. “I don’t know, my lord.”
But why would Uriah not go to his house, why would he choose to sleep with the servants? David wondered. That would be dangerous. They would get to talk and one of them might say something to him. He couldn’t afford to let that happen. He must do something! He had to!
“Call him!” David said.
The servant left.
Soon, Uriah came in.
Angrily, David asked him, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home? Why were you with my servants?”
Wondering why David was angry, Uriah explained, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife?” Then he said decisively, “As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”
David took a deep breath. What should he do? He had to be careful so as not to arouse Uriah’s suspicion.
All hope was not lost. If Uriah did not go home last night, he definitely would go today. He wouldn’t be able to stay away from his wife. He would ask him to spend more days.
David relaxed his face, and with a smile said, “Stay here one more day, and tomorrow I will send you back.”
“Yes, my lord.” Uriah said and left.
David summoned the three servants who knew about his involvement with Bathsheba.
“You must not discuss what happened with anyone, especially Uriah! Do you understand me?”
“Yes, my lord.” They answered.
“Uriah must not know. You should not gossip or spread rumours about your king, it could be dangerous for you. I am chosen and anointed by God. What I do is not your business. Leave me to God. Let Him be my judge. As my servants, you should protect my interest. Maybe I shouldn’t have done what I did but the deed has been done, so let it go. A word is enough for the wise. Remember what happened to Saul, you were all witnesses. He tried to kill me several times but God did not allow him to succeed. He eventually died. God is with me. Also, when Moses married an Ethiopian woman, and Miriam and Aaron withstood him, God rebuked them. Miriam became leprous.”
The servants told him they understood.
“Good.” David said and nodded with satisfaction.
There were questions in the hearts of the servants though. They knew that the kings of the neighbouring countries did worse things but in David’s case, he claimed to know God and taught his men and servants about God and His ways. He had told them several times not to cheat, steal or be unfair. He had taught them to fear God. Why had he not feared Him? Should he not be a good example to them? Should he not be different from the other kings? Why did he do what he did and had been asking them to keep it a secret? How could he have committed adultery with Uriah’s wife? Yes, he liked her but should he not have exercised self-control? As the king and leader, he was supposed to protect the interests of the people, defend the weak and ensure fairness and peace but he was the one who had cheated his fellow man. And now, he was trying to intimidate them to silence!
Confused by David’s acts, they left his presence. When they got outside, they exchanged looks and shook their heads, but didn’t talk because of the people present with them.
(To be continued)
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