How to Kill a Soldier
The poem reflects on themes of guilt and duty, inspired by King David and Bathsheba
How to Kill a Soldier
a fleeting glance with haughty eyes
upon sacred cleansing no surprise
in battle but safe, now summ’nd
please go home and be a husband
duty bound, with you i will remain
brothers not yet free from pain
in battle not safe, now summ’nd,
someone’ll go and be a husband
This was loosely based around King David when he committed adultery with Bathsheba who consequently became pregnant. After learning this, David tried to cover his sin and eventually arranged for Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, to be killed in battle. 2 Samuel 11:1–12:9
Update 2026: Since the writing of this poem I have had second thoughts about how this portrays David but I am also not sure what I would change. Still thinking.
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