2 Samuel 11:17
And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also. And the men of the city went out, and fought with Joab: and there fell some of the people of the servants of David; and Uriah the Hittite died also.
During Joab's assault on Rabbah the men of the city went out and fought with Joab, and some of David's servants fell along with Uriah the Hittite, who died by the hand of the Ammonites in battle against them. Uriah died after Joab obeyed David's order to place him in the fiercest fighting and withdraw support from him. His death was the result of David's deliberate order, carried out by Joab, to place Uriah in the fiercest fighting and expose him to danger from the enemy while withdrawing support from him, making the battle the means by which David arranged the murder of one of his most faithful soldiers. David had arranged for him to be exposed to the fighting and to danger after failing to occupy himself in useful work, which left him open to temptation and led to this murder.
The verse shows murder used to conceal David's adultery with Bath-sheba, after David sent Uriah into danger and plotted against him. Uriah died in the battle Joab arranged after David sent him into danger to conceal his sin, and his death was part of David's grievous and heinous offense. David's idleness and failure to occupy himself in useful work left him open to temptation and led to the evil actions that brought about Uriah's death, while useful, sustained work guards the mind against foolish thoughts that can lead to sin. David's indulgence of appetite and passion led him into sin against God, including the death of Uriah.
Joab sinned by obeying the king rather than God, since a ruler's authority is to be exercised in harmony with God's law and an order contrary to that law must not be obeyed. Joab's report to David about the loss was carefully worded, and David answered by telling him not to be troubled and to press the attack. Uriah's death was part of David's grievous and heinous offense for which God rebuked him through Nathan, imposed punishment, brought divine displeasure upon him, and did not justify his crimes. David's repentance brought forgiveness and spared his life, but did not erase the consequences of his offense.
His departure from God's teachings stained a once-excellent reputation, and disobedience by individuals or nations brings retribution. The verse belongs to the record of David's sin showing that even a man favored by God and entrusted with great responsibility could be overcome by temptation and commit sin. The record is preserved as a warning and lesson rather than an excuse for wrongdoing to show the consequences of disobedience, help later readers avoid sin, and encourage those who have fallen that through God's grace they can regain strength, rise above evil, and continue the struggle.