Some fans interpret the "soldier, poet, and king" as different ways people help a victim move on from an unhealthy relationship. The Soldier physically removes the victim, the Poet uses truth to dismantle the abuser's psychological hold, and the King represents the restoration of the victim's self-worth.
The most explicit reference, describing a ruler whose "brow is laid in thorn" and "smeared with oil like David's boy". This directly points to the Crown of Thorns worn during the crucifixion and Jesus’s lineage as the heir to King David. 2. Literary Influence: The Screwtape Letters Soldier, Poet, King - The Oh Hellos (lyrics)
Beyond theology, the song has gained a second life as a metaphor for personal growth and healing from trauma. Some fans interpret the "soldier, poet, and king"