The Untold Story of Uriah the Hittite

CHAPTER ONE

“Hey bro, welcome back,” Gareb said as he entered the tent. “I heard them hailing you earlier but I was depositing manure into the soil. How you dey?”

They shook hands and hugged.

“I dey alright my brother, all correct, no shaking,” replied Uriah.

He sat down on his bed facing Gareb, who leaned on the table.

“How was the City and home front?” Gareb asked.

“Fine.”

“So what did the King want to see you for?”

“To be honest, I really don’t know. We did not talk about anything serious or discreet. We did more drinking than talking. I guess he misses the Warfront,” Uriah replied.

They both laughed.

“But at least you got to gum body and had a nice time with madam, “ Gareb said as he smiled and winked.

“Nah, I did not go home. I slept at the door of the King’s house with all the servants of my King.”

“Kilode? Why? You for go enjoy wifey’s company”

“My guy, the King suggested that too. But I told him that the ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my Lord Joab and the servants of my King are encamped in the open field. Shall I then go to my house to eat and drink, and to lie with my wife? As the King’s soul lives, I will not do that,” said Uriah.

“Wow,” exclaimed Gareb as he looked at Uriah in astonishment.

Uriah added, “I just did not feel right about it. I had a bad feeling about the whole visitation and insistence that I go home. I would rather be here at the battlefront with you guys then be at home frolicking with wifey.”

They both laughed.

Just then, Zaharai, the armor-bearer of Joab, entered into the tent. “Uriah, my Lord Joab will see you now.”

Together they marched to the tent of Joab.

“Good day sir,” Uriah said as he entered the tent.

“Welcome back Soldier,” Joab replied and added, “how was the home front?”

“All correct Sir.”

“I am sure you enjoyed Madam’s cooking and the after-hours things,” Joab said with a smile.

Uriah smiled but said nothing.

“Any news from my King David?” Joab asked.

“Yes sir, he said to give you a letter,” Uriah replied. He removed a sealed letter from the waist pouch and placed it in Joab’s outstretched hand.

Joab checked to be sure the seal was unbroken. He then opened the letter, read it, and frowned. He looked up to see Uriah watching him and their eyes locked for a few seconds. Out of respect, Uriah blinked and looked away.

“Anything the matter sir?” Uriah asked.

Joab turned his back on him and said, “Go back to your tent soldier; I will call you if I need you.”

Uriah hesitated for a moment. He was sure Joab’s voice sounded like a man in pain and in tears. “Ok sir,” he said and left the tent.

Joab held the letter in both hands and raised it above his head. “Why my King? Why?” He muttered as tears flowed down his cheeks.

Joab cried all night and found no sleep or rest to console his troubled soul.

To be continued