Every effort which David made to conceal his guilt proved unavailing. He had betrayed himself into the power of Satan; danger surrounded him, dishonor more bitter than death was 719 before him. There appeared but one way of escape, and in his desperation he was hurried on to add murder to adultery. He who had compassed the destruction of Saul was seeking to lead David also to ruin. Though the temptations were different, they were alike in leading to transgression of God's law. David reasoned that if Uriah were slain by the hand of enemies in battle, the guilt of his death could not be traced home to the king, Bathsheba would be free to become David's wife, suspicion could be averted, and the royal honor would be maintained.

David gjorde alt for at skjule sin synd, men forgæves. Han havde givet sig i Satans vold, var truet af farer til alle sider og kunne vente en skandale, som var værre end døden. Der syntes kun at være een udvej, og i sin fortvivlelse besluttede han at føje mord til hor. Han, der havde forårsaget Sauls ulykke, forsøgte også at komme David til livs. Fristelserne var forskellige, men de havde det tilfælles, at de implicerede tilskyndedes til at overtræde Guds lov. David gik ud fra, at ingen ville finde på at mistænke kongen for andel i drabet, hvis Urias blev dræbt af fjenderne i krigen. Så kunne han roligt tage Batseba til hustru, og æren ville være reddet.