Uriah in Fausset's Bible Dictionary

("light of Jehovah".) (See DAVID; NATHAN; BATHSHEBA.) 1. One of the 30 commanders of the 30 bands of David's army (1 Chronicles 11:41; 2 Samuel 23:19). A foreigner (as other of David's officers, Ittai of Gath, Ishbosheth the Canaanite, Zelek the Ammonite, 2 Samuel 23:37); a Hittite. Eliam son of Ahithophel being one of his fellow officers (2 Samuel 23:; 2 Samuel 23:39), Uriah naturally became acquainted with Bathsheba (an undesigned coincidence in Scripture confirming its truth) and married her. His tender devotion to her is implied in Nathan's comparison of her (2 Samuel 12:3) to the poor man's "one little ewe lamb ... which lay in his bosom as a daughter" (his all in all). David's attempt to hide his sin by bringing Uriah home to his wife from the war with Ammon was foiled by Uriah's right sentiment as a soldier and chivalrous devotion to Israel and to God: "the ark and Israel and Judah abide in tents, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open fields; shall I then go into mine house to eat, drink, and lie with my wife?" This answer was well fitted to pierce David's conscience, but desire of concealment at all costs urged David on. The greatest saint will fall into the deadliest sin, once that he ceases to lean on God and God withdraws His grace. Though entrapped into intoxication by David Uriah still retained sense of duty enough to keep his word and not go home...