YEARS AGO

The attack exceeded all expectations that Saul had. Their ambush had worked to perfection, and they had chased the Amalekites from Havilah to Shur, just like they had planned. The surprise factor had given them the upper hand; they had dominated the battle and destroyed entire generations of families. The Lord had shown Himself that day, and the name of the Lord had been lifted high.

When the fighting had began to settle, and the victory was Israel’s, some of the men came over to Saul while he was tying Agag, king of Amalek, to a tree.

“Your Majesty, may you live long.”

“What is the matter, men of war?”

“Your Majesty, we heard you before, when you commanded us not to spare either man or beast. But behold the fat calves and the best of the sheep and cattle. Behold all the good things we are forfeiting. Should we not keep the best for Israel?”

Saul finished tying up Agag. “We have been instructed to destroy everything, men. This war cannot have any spoils.”

The men pressed on. “We hear you, Your Majesty, but consider how much more praise you will gain from the people of Israel if you brought back the Amalek king. The men would be able to inflict pain on him and avenge generations of pain. Consider also the benefit to Israel it would be to bring back the best of their enemies. See how much more meat would be in Israel. To the victor must go the spoils, Your Majesty.”

Saul remained unconvinced. “Israel already has plenty of sheep and cattle. We do not need these spoils to validate our victory.”

The men made one more push. “Your Majesty, the men are eager to destroy everything that is weak and despised. However, we feel that anything that is good must be kept. We are unwilling to completely destroy everything that is good. We know you feel the same way, for if you did not, you would have killed Agag rather than tie him to a tree.”

That last line caught Saul off guard. He had secretly hoped that the Lord would allow him to keep Agag and bring him back to Israel, where he would be made a slave or, at worst, face a public hanging on the highest gallows. But he had wanted it to be just Agag he’d kept alive. The more he considered the words of the men, the more he realized how much they needed this from him. He would have to throw them a bone for having fought so valiantly.

“Very well, men of war. Tell the men to plunder the best of the city, but destroy all that is weak and despised.”

The very excited men bowed and left to carry out Saul’s instruction.

*****

YEARS LATER

David was at his table, eating the fat and drinking wine. The war was still ongoing, and he had received nothing but positive reports from the envoys. In a matter of weeks it would all be over, and the men would finally return. He was looking forward to welcoming them and giving them a proper banquet to celebrate their conquests.

He knew that Uriah would be one of the returning men, but it wouldn’t be an issue. Uriah could not retaliate against a sitting king. Besides, the only way Uriah would know is if Bathsheba told him. The first time was not enough; he wanted to have her again. He had to arrange for her to be brought again soon.

One of the servants rushed in suddenly and bowed before him.

“What is the matter? Is there more report from the war?”

“No, Your Highness. The war envoy has already returned to the battle.”

“Then what is your reason for so rudely interrupting my time of silence?”

“Your Highness, I received word from Bathsheba. She was discreet in her movements, so no one knew of our meeting. I have also made sure not to repeat her message to anyone, and I came straight here after I met with her.”

David’s interest was now piqued, and he put the wine down.

“Proceed.”

The servant got as close as he was allowed to, and then spoke in a low tone.

“Bathsheba is pregnant, Your Highness.”

David’s face remained unmoved, but then the next line changed everything.

“She said that she had just purified herself from her monthly uncleanness when you summoned her.”

David knew immediately that this was going to be trouble. Uriah was at war and Bathsheba had already had her monthly uncleanness. He was allowed to have any woman he wanted, but it would be a scandal if he had an illegitimate child with the wife of one of his mightiest men.

What would the other men think of him? Would they turn against him in anger at what he had done? For his sake, he had to find a way to fix this before it could grow and wreck his rule. He had to think of something, and soon. For now, the servant had completed his mission.

“You have done well to bring me this message with discretion. You may now go.”

Yeah, both kings messed up. Saul gave in to his men too easily, and David’s moment of hunger has cooked up a problem…