(6) В¶ And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David. (7) And when Uriah was come unto him, David demanded of him how Joab did, and how the people did, and how the war prospered. (8) And David said to Uriah, Go down to thy house, and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
Observe the progress of iniquity. This calling home Uriah was to hide David's infamy, as well as Bath-sheba's; contriving that Uriah's sleeping at home should conceal his crime by leading everyone to believe that Uriah was the father of the child. And observe, with what a plausible pretence, under colour of a regard for the success of his arms, David called the poor husband to answer this object. And to accomplish it yet more, as well as to show the high regard he had for Uriah, be sent after him a feast for his refreshment.