King David is a very important figure in many religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Hebrew Bible, David is described as the king of the United Monarchy of Israel and Judah. He’s quite a character, entered life as a humble shepherd, but later on, rose to build an empire for himself.
Being one of the most compelling characters in the Bible, he was written about a lot. In today’s article, let’s look at these 5 best poems about King David.
1. The Beauty Of Israel Is Slain by King David of Israel
How are the mighty fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!
The Beauty Of Israel Is Slain is written in the form of a dirge, expressing deep grief and mourning for the loss of the “mighty” leaders of Israel. The poem is written in a biblical style, with a focus on imagery, metaphor and repetition. It reflects on the beauty and strength of Saul and Jonathan and their tragic end, and how the nation of Israel mourns for them. The poem also speaks of the unbroken bond of friendship between David and Jonathan, and how the death of Jonathan has left David in deep distress.
Through the poem, King David made a powerful and moving tribute to the fallen leaders, Saul and Jonathan, and the love and friendship between David and Jonathan. The poem is a reminder of the sacrifices made for the nation and the deep sense of loss felt by the people of Israel. It is also a reflection on the fragility of life, power, and how death can come for anyone at any time.
2. Where Is David, The Next King Of Israel? by Vachel Lindsay
Where is David? . . . O God’s people,
Saul has passed, the good and great.
Mourn for Saul the first-anointed —
Head and shoulders o’er the state.
Where Is David, The Next King Of Israel? paints a romanticized and poetic picture of David, describing him as a “ruddy shepherd” and “God’s boy-king for Israel” who is “fair and loved of women”. Vachel Lindsay depicts King David as a “black notorious den” with “four hundred outlaw men”, and he is able to rally and lead these men to victory through his singing and “words divine.” It is also worth noting that the poem describes David as “found among the Prophets: Judge and monarch, merged in one.”, which indicates that David is seen as both a religious and political leader, his consistent role in the Bible as both a king and a Psalmist.
Overall, the poem presents David as a charismatic and powerful leader who is able to lead others through his words and music, and who is chosen by God to bring about a new era for Israel. This is a representation of David that is in line with the biblical account, but also adds a romantic and poetic perspective.
3. King David by Stephen Vincent Benet
” The Lord God is a jealous God!
His violent vengeance is swift and sharp!
And the Lord is King above all gods!
King David begins with David singing to his harp and praising the Lord, but as it continues, it portrays David as a king who is plagued by ennui and dissatisfaction despite his wealth and power. The poem also highlights David’s flaws, particularly his adultery with Bathsheba and his role in the death of Uriah. The poem also addresses David’s longing for the companionship and camaraderie he had with Jonathan and Saul, and his regret for the loss of that bond.
King David is described by Stephen Vincent Benet as a complex and flawed human being, rather than a perfect and heroic figure. It also portrays the Lord as a more complicated and multi-faceted deity and discusses ennui, regret, and the fleeting nature of power and companionship.
4. King David by Walter De La Mare
But the bird in no wise heeded
And the king in the cool of the moon
Hearkened to the nightingale’s sorrowfulness,
Till all his own was gone.
This poem portrays King David as a sorrowful man, who despite having no specific cause for his sorrow, seeks to ease his melancholy by calling for the music of a hundred harps. However, the music played by the harps is not able to charm away his sorrow. The poem describes David as walking alone in his garden by the moonlight and hearing a nightingale singing in a cypress tree. He then asks the nightingale how it learned to sing with such sorrow, but the bird does not answer. Eventually, listening to the nightingale’s sorrowfulness makes David’s own sorrow lifted and replaced by the sorrow of the bird.
The poem illustrates the fleeting nature of emotions and how music and nature can be used to ease sorrow. It also presents the idea that sometimes, the sorrows of others can help us to understand and accept our own. The nightingale is a symbol of sadness and misery, which is a common theme in poetry and literature, it is used to express the idea that even though the king has everything he wants, he is still unhappy and that nature is a powerful force that can bring solace.
5. Song-prayer: After King David by George Macdonald
The one supernal grace!
I shall be satisfied
With the seeing of thy face.
The phrase “supernal grace” and the repetition of the phrase “I shall be satisfied” emphasizes the divine and heavenly nature of God and adds a sense of reverence and awe to the poem. The use of the word “awake” symbolize the idea of spiritual awakening or enlightenment that the speaker is seeking through their desire to see God’s face.
Song-prayer: After King David is a prayer in the form of a song, expressing the speaker’s desire to be satisfied with the sight of God’s face. The poem expresses a deep longing for the presence of God and the belief that seeing God’s face will bring ultimate fulfillment and satisfaction.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, King David has been a source of inspiration for many poets throughout history. His life and legacy have been captured in powerful poems that showcase his strength, wisdom, and faith. These five poems are a reminder of the importance of courage, determination, and humility in the face of adversity. They also showcase the complexity of David’s character and the different facets of his personality. These powerful poems will continue to inspire and move readers for generations to come.
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Thomas Dao is the guy who created Poem Home, a website where people can read about all things poetry related. When he’s not busy working on his next project, you can find him reading a good book or spending time with family and friends.
