Poem: "The Many Loves of David"
This poem came out of the April 1, 2014 Poetry Fishbowl. It was inspired and sponsored by 
librarygeek.
"The Many Loves of David"
King David ruled over Israel for forty years:
seven and a half in Hebron,
another thirty-three in Jerusalem.
David took to himself two wives:
Ahinoam of Jezreel, gentle and fair,
and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel.
There came other wives, later, in Hebron:
Maacah and Haggith,
Abital and Eglah.
David had also a friend of his heart:
Jonathan the son of Saul,
Jonathan the heir of Judah.
In the breast of David lay many loves:
his wives in their varied beauties,
his loyal friend Jonathan.
It is not written how he loved them:
he may have loved them all the same,
or he may have loved them in different ways.
It is only written that he loved them:
his wives and his friend,
and his children as well.
It is also written, "You shall love your fellow as yourself:"
and this above all is why David was chosen,
this is the reason for his rule of Judah.
* * *
Notes:
Judaism is an ancient religion described in the Torah. Learn more about it.
Jewish poetry is often written in forked parallels, as seen above. This form of poetry lends itself especially well to exploring multiple relationships.
Read about David and his wives, including Abigail.
David and Jonathan appear in discussions of friendship and true love. Special thanks to
librarygeek for exploring Keshet to find this beautiful article about David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi as historic examples of queer love.
Male homosexuality is against Jewish law, and some Jews struggle with acceptance. Bisexual Jews often feel exiled between worlds. Read about some bisexual Jews. It's also possible that David was biromantic, but heterosexual.
Judaism has a history of polyamory. Its acceptance in modern Judaism is rougher.
Genderqueer people blur the boundaries of gender, sex, and attraction. Genderqueer Jews may feel a need for community support and for liturgy that speaks to their experiences.
librarygeek.
"The Many Loves of David"
King David ruled over Israel for forty years:
seven and a half in Hebron,
another thirty-three in Jerusalem.
David took to himself two wives:
Ahinoam of Jezreel, gentle and fair,
and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel.
There came other wives, later, in Hebron:
Maacah and Haggith,
Abital and Eglah.
David had also a friend of his heart:
Jonathan the son of Saul,
Jonathan the heir of Judah.
In the breast of David lay many loves:
his wives in their varied beauties,
his loyal friend Jonathan.
It is not written how he loved them:
he may have loved them all the same,
or he may have loved them in different ways.
It is only written that he loved them:
his wives and his friend,
and his children as well.
It is also written, "You shall love your fellow as yourself:"
and this above all is why David was chosen,
this is the reason for his rule of Judah.
* * *
Notes:
Judaism is an ancient religion described in the Torah. Learn more about it.
Jewish poetry is often written in forked parallels, as seen above. This form of poetry lends itself especially well to exploring multiple relationships.
Read about David and his wives, including Abigail.
David and Jonathan appear in discussions of friendship and true love. Special thanks to
librarygeek for exploring Keshet to find this beautiful article about David and Jonathan, Ruth and Naomi as historic examples of queer love.
Male homosexuality is against Jewish law, and some Jews struggle with acceptance. Bisexual Jews often feel exiled between worlds. Read about some bisexual Jews. It's also possible that David was biromantic, but heterosexual.
Judaism has a history of polyamory. Its acceptance in modern Judaism is rougher.
Genderqueer people blur the boundaries of gender, sex, and attraction. Genderqueer Jews may feel a need for community support and for liturgy that speaks to their experiences.