All language subtitles for The Story of David 1976

This is David...

...immortalized by Michelangelo...

...in one ofthe world's
most famous statues.

And this is David come to life.

Surely

Goodness and mercy will walk with me

All my days on earth

The Story of David.

Filmed in Israel,
where 3000 years ago...

...Saul was the first king...

...and David was a shepherd.

Samuel.

Samuel.

Prophet.

Samuel.

Samuel.

Seer.

Prophet in Israel.

I am Saul the King.

Here I am.

Whose son are you?

Who are you?

You know me, prophet.

You chose me out of Benjamin.

I was not a poor man. I inherited
my father's fields and farmed them.

I served my time
in the militia of my tribe.

I could have Iived and died
Iike my father...

...in peace.

But you chose me.

Yahweh chose you.

With your mouth.

Well...

...you told me
to fight the enemies of Israel.

And for 20 years, I've fought them.

Now...

...Iet's talk of things as they are.

I've done as you told me.

Why do you now speak against me?

Why do you turn away from me
before my own men?

Come. Between us now.

No one hears our words.

-The Lord hears.
-AII right, then.

Between Samuel the prophet,
Saul the King and the Lord.

What is the truth?

We have pushed the sea people
back to the coast. Right.

But the Philistines have rich cities.

They trade with Egypt.

And they hold the secret
of working iron.

Iron swords, iron spears, iron axes.

Prophet...

...I've sent men running
down the rocks...

...shouting for Yahweh...

...carrying swords made of
copper and tin against iron.

Yahweh has brought victories.

It was the Lord our God
who was king then.

But the people rejected him crying

"Give us a king."

I know you did not want a king,
Samuel.

Before you poured your oil on
my head, you were judge over Israel.

You were the only voice in Israel.

-It was the voice of the Lord.
-Through the mouth of Samuel.

Prophet, have I done anything
to make you Iess?

You broke Yahweh's Iaw when you
made the sacrifice at Gilgal...

...but I am the Lord's prophet.

I waited seven days for you.

My army was melting away
Iike fat on the fire.

The enemy was moving
into position.

I had to fight
while I had the advantage.

They were 10 to one against us.

You have not kept
the commandment of the Lord.

-Your kingdom shall not continue.
-Oh, Samuel.

The dazzling in my eyes is coming.

It's followed by the blood
coming to my head, splitting it.

Let me speak to you
before I am sick.

Our enemies are strong.

Let there be peace between us
or Israel will be destroyed.

Yahweh has torn...

...the kingdom of Israel from you
this day.

It is given to another.

Yahweh has repented...

...that he made you king over Israel.

Prophet, I have fought for Yahweh.

He knows me.

I am still Saul. Saul the King.

Is that all you brought, David?

Ten roasts?

What does our father think
we can Iive on? Stones?

What's in that sack?

Oh, that, that's cheeses.

Cheeses?

-For the captain of your thousand.
-Let his family bring him cheeses.

When you get back, tell the old one
to send meat.

I came by the valley trail, saw
the Philistine camp across on the hill.

Good thing they didn't see you,
Iittle brother.

Well, if I were a fighting man,
I wouldn't hide in the rocks.

I'd go down on the plain
and fight them.

-Shammah.
-Yeah?

Send for the war chief.

The king of Iittle goats
has a new battle plan.

What's the use of gathering all
the fighting men of all the tribes...

...just to hide them in the hills?

-Why not fight?
-Down there on the plain?

Have you ever seen
a charge of Philistine chariots?

Great knives in the wheels cutting
you down Iike a wheat field.

Iron swords, sharp.
And archers with horned bows.

Copper, all it's good for
is cutting a cheese.

Maybe that's all Saul is good for.

-Abinadab.
-He's Iost his edge for fighting.

Keep your tongue off Saul, brother,
or you'II choke on it.

Oh, our oldest brother is Iike Saul.

Whenever he sees a Philistine sword,
he waters his Ioincloth.

Hey, stop it, stop it.

Stop it.

David, come here.

Hey, David.
David, come back and help me.

The lions ofJudah

Are my brothers

Oh, hear them roar
On the mountains

Tremble, oh, Israel

When my brothers roar

Why do they roar?

Oh, men ofJudah

Why?

Because you have eaten
cooked beans...

...and your bellies are full of wind.

Where is your father?

In his chamber, commander.

Where are you going?

Hunting.

Take six men, Jonathan.

To hunt a partridge?

There is a raiding party
to the south.

They burned two villages Iast week.
I haven't the men to send after you.

Saul?

Saul.

Saul.

Do you know me, Saul?

I know you.

Abner...

...son of Ner, my father's brother.

Saul...

...what is it?

Has the blood come to your head?

I heard them...

...in the night.

And the spirit of Yahweh
is gone from Saul.

The old man took it away from me.

Samuel?

Listen, cousin, he never forgets
the people came and said to him

"Give us a king
who knows how to fight."

In all the years Samuel was judge...

...did he ever win
against the Philistines?

Quiet.

He will hear you.
He is Yahweh's prophet.

Let him hear me.

What does he do?

He cuts the throats of Iittle Iambs...

...and paints their blood
on the altar horns.

You and I have butchered
Philistines, Ammonites.

And spilled their blood
into Yahweh's Iand.

Yahweh is a God of battle, Saul.

You and I serve him.

I feel...

...the evil spirit from him.

It creeps into my heart in the night.

I sweat.

I dream.

Then I wake
and cannot sleep again.

And--

I don't know why I--

I'm afraid...

...of nothing.

But the fear...

...sits on my chest Iike a stone.

Wine, a whole jug, without water.

We'II get drunk, cousin.

And then...

...you will sleep.

Abner...

...I am in a pit...

...in a deep well.

And when I try to climb out...

...the stones roll under my feet...

...and I fall back.

Abner.

Abner!

Help me.

Come.

My Iord?

-What?
-A goat and a jug of wine.

My father sent them with me
as an offering.

Saul has a goat and a jug of wine.
Come.

To do what?

What am I to do?

-No one told you?
-I was to play...

-...at the House of Saul.
-Then you know.

-How is he?
-Well.

Is this the player?

What's your name?

David, son of Jesse.

PIay well for my father.

He that dwells

In the secretplace

Ofthe most high

Shall abide

Under the shadow

Ofthe Almighty

I will say ofthe Lord

He is my refuge

He is my fortress

My God

In him

Will I trust

You will not fear

The terrorby night

Nor the arrows that fly by day

Nor the plague ofdarkness

A thousand shall fall atyourside

And ten thousand atyourright hand

But the fearshall not

Come nearyou

There shall no evil befallyou

No evil befallyou

No evil befallyou

Oryourdwelling

Whose son are you?

Whose son are you?

David, I'm a shepherd.

I'm the son of Jesse of Judah, Iord.

PIay.

Is that a song of Judah?

Oh, I don't know. I just play it.
It's not a song at all.

I'm a child of Benjamin.

Do you know the harvest song
of the Benjaminites?

The girls sing that when they toss
the grain up in the air in their baskets.

I was a farmer before I was king...

...before he came and poured oil
on my head.

What's your name, boy?

I'm David, Iord.

David.

Never Iet an old man pour oil
on your head.

Oh, I'm telling you, it's bad Iuck...

...for farmers and shepherds.

How are the crops this year
in Bethlehem, David?

There was rain after sowing time,
that's good.

The sprouts will be strong.

And they can take a dry time Iater.

Brother.

I didn't believe it when they said you
were made armor bearer to the king.

Oh, Iook at the embroidery
Iike a temple whore in Gaza.

What do you do
in the House of Saul?

Well, I count the weapons
in Saul's storehouse.

And I tie the straps
on his breastplate...

...sharpen his spear points
with a stone.

What else?

Well...

...when the evil spirit comes on him,
he sits alone in the dark and sweats.

And his breath grows short.

His head splits.

And then...

...they call for me.

What can you do?

I play.

You just play?

And then the evil spirit goes away.

Here he comes!

What is it?

Philistines?

I see no army,
where are the Philistines?

Across the valley over the ridge.

What is it?

Who is that?

Goliath of Gath.

He shouts his name every day.

I can't understand.
What does he say?

Zachariah.

It's the dialect of the sea people.

Dogs that follow Saul,
eating his Ieavings...

...send me one man to fight.

If he kills me,
then we will be your slaves.

But if I kill him,
then you will be our slaves.

Where are you dogs of Israel?

Hiding under the rocks
Iike dung beetles.

No.

-King--
-No.

-At Ieast give me your body armor.
-No.

Let me go out against the man.

Does the hero of Gibeah
now want added glory?

How many days can an army
Iisten to him bellow?

Father, he taunts the men of Israel
and says

"Who is this Saul that calls himself
king that no man will defend?

He is no king.
He is the eater of the dung of swine."

Those are the words
of Goliath of Gath.

Can I Iet him call my father that?

Lord.

Saul.

Cousin.

This man stands a sword's Iength
taller than you.

He can throw that iron spear 30 paces
further than you can cast yours.

He carries armor heavier
than you can Iift.

He will kill you, my son.

And drag your corpse behind his
chariot in front of the whole army.

Jonathan.

There are two things
that take the fight out of a man...

...fear in the belly
and a sickness in the bowel.

And our men do fear Goliath.

If I send any man out against him, you,
myself, Jonathan, and he's killed...

...then everyone says
the mightiest of Israel is slain.

Lord?

Lord, Iet me fight the Philistine.

You?

You fight the--?

Haven't you heard? He's a giant.
He's a warrior.

You and your beard's still a shadow.

What would you do, David?

Wrap your Iyre strings about him?

I killed a Iion and a bear when they
came after my father's sheep.

Well, a bear does not wear
an iron sword.

Abner, behold the champion
of Israel.

How did you slay the Iion?

With a sling.

Yeah.

-In the manner of Judah.
-He could sing him to death, huh?

King.

Cousin.

Let the boy go out.

You're drunk.

Who knows what can happen
in a fight?

A Iucky stroke...

...a sling can kill.

It is in Yahweh's hands.

He's only a boy. He'II be killed.

So?

Then only a boy is killed.

What glory is there in that
for the Philistines?

What do we risk?

Lord...

...if I can kill Goliath...

...then your army will believe
that Yahweh is strong.

And that their god has Iost power.

And if he kills me--

Well, I'm only a shepherd,
so it will be a small thing.

Now, who will...

...play for me then?

Any fighting man has the right
to take up the challenge, Saul.

He is not a fighting man.

There are other players of the Iyre,
cousin.

Lord...

...Iet me go out...

...for Yahweh...

...for Saul.

How close must you be to kill?

Oh, 30 paces, Iess if I can.

He can cast his spear at 40.

If he closes to sword Iength...

...he'II kill you.

You come with a spear, Philistine.

But I come with the name
of the Lord of Hosts...

...Yahweh.

Not too close.

Yahweh!

Now we'II attack.

Here is the head of your enemy...

...Goliath of Gath!

I have killed him for you, Saul!

And for Yahweh!

I was in that town three years ago.

The walls are doubled
and guarded by many soldiers.

Did you break in then?

I broke out. We were inside.
The Philistines surrounded us.

Well, Iord...

...you are the son of the king.
What do we do?

I'II hold a counsel of war
with my captain of a thousand.

What do we do?

How many in the garrison?

Four hundred from Gath and Ashkelon
and another hundred mercenaries.

If you were to take
the main company...

...go along the road,
attacking the front gate.

Why not just Iine them up
and cut their throats?

I could take 200 men around the ridge
to the high place.

We could come down
where the wall runs into the cliff.

We'd be inside.

It's straight up that way.

I saw a goat halfway up.

And where a goat can climb,
so can men of Judah.

We'II have to wait till dark.

When it's moon dark, we will attack.

Saul, Saul

Saul has slain his thousands

But David, David
His tens ofthousands

Saul, Saul

Saul has slain his thousands

But David, David
His tens ofthousands

Saul, Saul

Saul has slain his thousands

But David, David
His tens ofthousands

Saul, Saul

AII he Iacks now is the kingdom.

But David, David
His tens ofthousands

David. David. David.

PIay me...

...another song.

A song the women of Israel sing...

...with the cymbals and the drum.

Saul

Saul

Saul has slain his thousands

And David, David
His tens ofthousands

PIay me that song, shepherd.

PIay it for me.

Captain of a thousand.

Saul

Saul

Saul has slain his thousands

And David

David, his tens ofthousands

They all sing it.

David.

You are to Iead your thousand
against the Philistines in the west.

-How do you know?
-I Iistened.

There's a meeting
in the war chief's room.

Your brother, Jonathan,
would be very angry.

David?

Do you remember
when you first saw me?

I remember when I saw you.

-I remember.
-No, you don't.

I was a Iittle girl.

I'm a woman now.

Fourteen.

A beautiful woman, Michal...

...daughter of my Lord.

David...

...when you come back...

...you will play the Iyre for me.

I will sing you a song...

...about a kitten.

No.

When you play the Iyre for me...

...I will sing for you.

Saul, Saul, Saul has sl--

Your brother waits for me
down at my Iodge.

You may go, David.

She threw a fig at me
and said it was unfair...

...that men can go through the women
of the household Iike a goat in spring.

While a sister must wither and dry up
as a virgin.

Wither and dry up, oh.

Fourteen, she said.

-Followed by 15--
-Then 16, huh?

David.

David, a girl who is 14 and throws figs
at her brother is ready for a husband.

And a man who squirts wine
in his eye is more than ready...

...for a wife.

The daughter of a king?

Oh, no.

I'm the son of a king.

And I still only wear one shoe
on each foot.

Well, who am I?

What is my father's family in Israel
that I should be son-in-Iaw to a king?

Give him my sister, Father.

The people Iove David.

Michal?

Do you Iove him?

If my father ordered me
to David's bed...

...I would obey.

When the night sweat
comes on me...

...I'm afraid.

Afraid of David.

Married to Michal, he would be tied
to the House of Saul.

You tell him...

...Saul the King...

...asks for no bride price...

...but for a dowry.

Let him bring me proof...

...of the killing of a hundred
of my enemies.

A hundred foreskins
of the Philistines...

...for vengeance.

Are you afraid for him, my son?

David.

-David.
-Wait, whoa.

David, take care and stay away from
the garrisons and the walled towns.

I've seen a man without a foreskin
but never a foreskin without a man.

I must go
where there are Philistines.

David, he said he was afraid of you
when the spirit is on him.

He's giving me his daughter.

Yes, but if you are killed collecting
the bride price...

...I think he would only weep
with one eye.

Well, I have no intention of dying.

David...

...will you play the Iyre for me?

I have forgotten how.

Die.

Michal, daughter of Saul.

We are ordered to bring David
to the house of the king.

If you don't go now, he will kill you.

What is it? We are sleeping.

We must take David
to the king now.

Go away.
Tell my father David is sick.

David.

David, son of Jesse.

Prophet, I claim sanctuary.

I know.

There are men of the prophet
in every place in Israel.

Even in the house of Saul at Gibeah.

I have waited for you, David,
son of Jesse.

Waited.

But how did you know that I--?

My hand has been on you,
my prophets have watched you...

...and whispered your name
throughout Israel.

If you are in danger...

...seek sanctuary
with the high priests at Nob.

And Yahweh said to me

"Fill your horn with oil...

...and I will send you to Jesse.

For I have provided me
a king among his sons."

Yahweh says it.

And I have anointed him with oil...

...and the spirit of Yahweh
is on him.

And he will cause the house of Saul
to crumble into dust...

...and blow away with the wind.

No.

No.

No.

You are the anointed one.

No.

I am Saul's man.

He made me captain of a thousand.

Though he is ill and tried to kill me,
he is the anointed one.

His son is my brother
and his daughter is my wife.

Saul is the king.

Saul.

Saul.

Saul is king.

Saul.

What have I done?

What is my crime against Saul?

None. Come back with me, David.
We'II go to Saul.

We'II swear your Ioyalty to him.

I need your strength and Iove
more than ever now.

I was one step away from death.

His spear put a cold wind in my gut.

No, I must know
before I can go back to Saul.

Can you go to him?

Find out if he's forgotten
or if he still wants my blood.

And then come back and tell me.

Where? Here?

No. No, he may have someone
follow you.

A field to the south across the wadi.

Where the Iittle stone house
stands from the old days.

Hide there.

I'II come out with my bow
to practice.

If I tell the boy...

...pick up the arrows
and come back...

...then my father
is at peace with you.

But if I tell him

"No, the arrows are beyond you"...

...then you will know that Saul
is still your enemy and you must go.

Jonathan...

...you are the first after Saul
in his house.

You will be king after him.

If you honestly believe that I am
an enemy to the House of Saul...

...kill me now yourself.

Don't take me in a trap
and bring me alive before Saul.

Brother.

If my father...

...wants your Iife...

...I will tell you...

...and you will Iive.

You've seen David?

He is...

...at Bethlehem with his father.

For the yearly sacrifice.

You Iie.

Oh, I know, I know.

You're all with him. You!

Connived to Iet him, my enemy,
escape. And you.

You chose Jesse's son against me.

Against your father.

I am unashamed.

People will think you're not my son.

That she whored with some stranger
and he begot an ungrateful bastard.

Listen to me!

As Iong as Da--

As Iong as the son of Jesse Iives...

...you are in danger.

You will not be king of Israel
after me while he Iives.

Now, you've seen him.
You know where he is. Take him.

Bring him here.

He shall die. He deserves to die.

What has he done?
Why, why should he be put to death?

Fool! Choose him against me.

You take his path against me?

AII of you. AII.
You all take a plot against me.

Well, I swore. I swore an oath.

That whosoever shall sin against me--
Out of my way, Abner.

--Shall die. I swore it.

Be it my own son, he shall die.

I tell you, I am--

Oh, God.

No.

The arrows are beyond you.

I'II shoot no more today.

David.

David...

...give me your hand.

Give me your hand.

We are of one blood, David.

Brothers.

Brother...

...if you should take
my father's place...

-No.
-If you are king.

No. He is the anointed.

And your wise men say,
"Kill all the remnant of Saul...

...so none can rise in rebellion."

Even then...

...be my brother.

And if I do not Iive...

...you will not cut off my house.

No.

You come after Saul in Israel.

I have seen a king.

I would rather be David's brother.

Go.

Go quickly.

Go in peace.

Ahimelech.

Wait.

Wait, I'm coming.

Captain of a thousand.

Where are your men, captain?

Why are you alone?

The king has sent me
on his business...

...and has ordered me
that no man know of it.

I have sent my soldiers
on ahead to meet me.

Listen, Ahimelech,
you are to help me.

I need supplies. You have food?

There is no common bread, captain.

That's the holy bread.

For the Lord's altar.

I've just come from Gibeah.

From Saul?

Yes, from Saul and I'm hungry.

Well...

...the fresh bread goes on the altar
in the morning.

If you are on the business
of the king.

I had to Ieave the king quickly.

I didn't have a chance
to get my own weapons.

Do you have any?

There is no spear.

This is a house of the Lord, but--

The sword of Goliath.

The Philistine you killed.

Every day we grow stronger
and stronger.

Yes. Soon we'II be 100 men.

There are men coming to you
from all parts of Judah, David.

Everyone in debt or in distress
Iooks to you as their captain.

But how shall we Iive?

There is a spring nearby.

And in this cave
we are not only safe...

...but the farmers around us
will now be safe.

Because they are wealthy, they need
protection from the Philistines...

...so they will support us.
And we will defend them.

And the Lord will save us
from the wrath of Saul.

We will need his help.

Especially now when the news
of the massacre at Nob is known.

What happened at Nob?

Who are you?

Abiathar.

Son of Ahimelech.

High priest at Nob.

Why are you in mourning?

He is dead.

My father is dead.

When it was told to Saul
that you came...

...that my father gave you bread...

...Saul sent his soldiers
and took all the priests.

They are dead.

And the town was sacked.

AII dead.

Except for me.

I knew.

I knew that Doeg, that Edomite,
would surely tell Saul...

...but I was afraid for my own Iife.

I caused the death of your father.

And of all the priests.

Stay with me, Abiathar,
son of Ahimelech.

For my enemy is yours...

...and I will hold you safe.

Joab.

I repeated your words
to Nabal, David.

"We come in peace," I said.

"We protected your sheep
on the mountains," I said.

Surely, you've got something for us,
for David and his 600 men.

"Who is this David?" he says.

"And why should I feed 600 men?

I've got my own house to feed."

What is his name?

Nabal.

How many months
have we been in this place?

Have we ever stolen a sheep?

Have we ever burned villages?

Have we ever trampled grain fields?
No.

We drove the Philistine raiders out.

Nabal.

Yahweh...

...curse me if I Ieave any man alive
in his house by morning.

Man, child, ram or goat.

Lord, I am Abigail, wife of Nabal.

Lord, my husband is a fool.

I was away when your men came
or I would've welcomed them.

I have 200 Ioaves of bread
and two skins of wine.

And sheep.

And raisins and figs.

They are yours, Iord.

And when it comes to pass...

...that Yahweh makes you prince
over Israel...

...then there will be no blood guilt
on you over poor, foolish Nabal.

And when Yahweh heaps blessings
on you, Iord...

...then you'II remember Abigail,
your handmaiden.

Nabal is a fortunate man
to have such a wise wife.

Lord, Iive forever.

I am David, son of Jesse,
not Iord. Drink.

Samuel is dead.

The prophet is dead.

Saul of Ramah?

He was there for the burial
and the sacrifice.

-Did Saul mourn for Samuel?
-He was seized.

Fell and bit the grass.

Once he said

"Never Iet an old man
pour oil on your head.

It's bad Iuck for farmers...

...and for shepherds."

Where is Saul now?

He pursued a raiding party
of Philistines to Meyon.

But there the people
told him where David was.

How many men?

Three thousand.

He could chase the Philistines back
to the sea but he comes after you.

He's come after us before.

How Iong are you going to Iet
an old man hunt you...

...Iike a partridge in the mountains?

Tell him, brother.

We went to the village of Abib.

You saved them
from the Philistines.

They were our friends.

This time, they hid from us.

Drove away the flocks.
Took away the grain.

No one was there but an old man
sweating with fear.

Not of us, but Saul.

He has made a Iaw.

Anyone who gives food
or shelters us...

...or refuses to tell where we hide
is to be killed.

The men will be hungry in five days
and starving in 20.

Saul fished for us
Iike a man with a spear...

...throwing it in the muddy water.
Now, he's drying up the pond.

You must move now.

The old prophet was for you.

Judah would rise.
Part of Ephraim, half of Manasseh.

Only Benjamin would stay
with that old madman.

Joab.

Should I start a war
among the tribes?

Should I have the blood of Israel
on my head?

Saul was as my father.

Your father is hunting you
with 3000 men.

Move against him in the night.

How many of those 3000
will fight against David?

I am not a rebel against Saul.

Tell that to Saul.

You have no choice.

I am not a rebel against Saul.

If his men find you,
your head will be on a spear...

...and your body nailed
to the wall of Saul's house...

...the Iittle children will point
at it and say, "See? That was David.

He was not a rebel against Saul."

Saul has an evil spirit,
sent from Yahweh to torment him.

But I have Joab, son of my sister.

Well, uncle...

...at Ieast send spies to number
Saul's camp and discover his plans.

Some sneaky, slippery fellow
could wriggle on his belly Iike a snake.

He's your enemy.

Yahweh gave him into your hand.

No.

Someday.

Someday, Yahweh will strike him.

Or he'II go into battle
and be swept away.

But not by my hand.

No.

Abner!

Abner!

Abner, where are you, war chief?

You have not kept guard
over the anointed one.

Abner.

You deserve to die.

Where is Saul's spear
that was at his head?

Abner.

Here is the water jug
that was at his hand.

-Seize him!
-No!

David.

David.

David.

Lord.

Lord.

Why do you hunt me, Iord?

What have I done to you?

If any man has made you to be angry
at me, Iet him be cursed!

For I am driven out...

...and away from the inheritance
the Lord gave Abraham...

...the Iand that is Israel.

I am forced to go
and serve other gods.

Lord...

...do not Iet me die a stranger
somewhere.

My blood to run into the earth
away from the presence of Yahweh.

David.

David, my son.

Saul!

King of Israel.

Why do you hunt me
Iike a partridge in the mountains?

Here.

Here is the king's spear.

Yahweh gave you into my hands,
Saul.

But I would not raise it against you.

Saul.

Here is your spear.

David.

My son.

My son.

David.

Yahweh...

...what is there Ieft for me to do?

I must escape into the Iand
of the Philistines...

...or I shall be swept away
by the hand of Saul.

Go on. Go on, David.
Where did you raid next?

Then, into the southern Iands
of Judah, Iord.

The wilderness of the Negev.

Judah? Your own tribe, eh?

What a delightful irony.

The sword of Achish,
the Philistine...

...carried into the Iand of Saul
by David of Judah.

Well, well.
I am a good judge of mercenaries, eh?

For three years, the city of Gath
has had full measure for your pay.

And now Ioyal service
should have a reward.

And I have one for you, David.

Revenge.

On your enemy.

What enemy, Iord?

Saul.

King of Israel.

We're joining forces
with all five cities of Philistia.

And this time,
not a small raid but a war.

A hundred chariots from Gath,
4000 spearmen...

...the same from Gaza and Ashkelon,
Ekron and Ashdod...

...and you and your men.
You will be our personal bodyguard.

This is your chance, David.

The destruction of Saul.

This is what
you've been waiting for.

I know you, David.

If you know me, Iord,
you know what I will do.

So we raided the southern parts
of Judah.

You know we never set foot
in Saul's Iand.

Suppose he finds out
we raided his own allies in the Sinai

No, he won't.
We Ieft no witnesses, remember?

Yes, but this time
there will be witnesses.

You wouldn't Iet me kill Saul
with his spear...

...but you promised to march
against him.

I did not promise.

But you just said--

I said, "If you know me, Iord,
you know what I will do."

Who knows you, David?

Who knows what you'II do?

Do you know?

Do even you know what you'II do?

I--

I was not born to be a king.
I did the best I knew, you understand.

I did the best I could.

Samuel!

Show me what to do.

Yahweh...

...is gone from you.

He said that I heard the voice
of Samuel.

Yahweh has torn
your kingdom from you.

And I remember.

Samuel's robe tore in my hand.

No. No. No, that was--
That was Iong ago.

And he, he said

"Yahweh will give Israel...

...into the hand of the Philistines.

And tomorrow each of you
and your sons...

...will be in death with me."

No, you're unreasonable.

David is my captain.

He's made his people abhor him.

Therefore he shall be my servant
forever.

He is a Hebrew.

I know.

You remember what happened
at Michmash.

The Hebrew mercenaries
deserted us.

Joined the enemy.
My father died there...

...because a Hebrew dog
betrayed him.

Well, why would he desert?
Saul Iongs for his blood.

In this battle, I want all the
Hebrews in front of me.

Facing my spear.

I would put my Iife in David's hands.

I have. He and his men
are my bodyguards.

Have you forgotten the song?

"Saul has slain his thousands.

And David his tens of thousands."

No. I have the right to choose
my own men.

David marches with me
against Saul.

There are five kings
of the Philistines.

Four of us say...

...send the Hebrew back.

I am sorry, David.

I cannot Iet you go into the battle
against Israel.

But, Iord, what have I done?

Am I not to be allowed to fight
against enemies...

-...of my Iord, the king?
-There's nothing I can do.

At first morning Iight,
Ieave with your men.

Don't misunderstand me, David.
I do trust you.

But I cannot keep you
in the battle against Saul.

"Lord, what have I done?"

You Iie Iike an Egyptian
with a stone face.

"Am I not to be allowed
to fight against the--"

Have those donkeys
ready to move by first Iight.

-Joab, are your men ready?
-They will be.

Get that tent down.
What are you waiting for?

Brother.

Jonathan.

You're safe here. You're safe.

Philistines have gone to the north.

Jonathan, why have you come?

To see my brother.

Before we fought
against each other.

We won't fight against each other,
brother.

The Philistine princes
don't trust me in the battle.

We're on our way to Ziklag.

Were they right, brother?

Would you have fought
against Israel?

Well, Yahweh is with you.

Will you fight tomorrow?

There are too many of them.

The Philistine cities
are sending their thousands.

I know.

When the spearmen
charge tomorrow...

...they will turn and run
as if they're frightened.

Don't follow too closely, Jonathan.

The chariots will be there
waiting for you behind the ridge.

How many men have you?

Nine thousand.
About 2000 of them...

...sick with the running flux.

Put your slingers up front
and try to break the first charge.

I will.

David...

...you will be king over Israel.

No.

-No.
-My father knows that.

You will be king.

-No.
-He sits in his tent...

...and waits for death.

David...

...when you are king...

...do not destroy my seed.

We made a covenant
before Yahweh.

Do not kill my children...

...to protect your throne.

Yahweh is between you and me...

...and between your seed
and my seed forever.

Jonathan.

Jonathan.

David?

Lord?

What is it?

We are free of the battle
against our own people.

The Philistines will smite
your enemy...

...and you will have no blood guilt.

Yahweh...

...put your hand out over Jonathan.

And Saul.

Saul!

Why?

Why?

Why?

Thy beauty, oh, Israel.

Upon thy high places is slain.

How are the mighty fallen.

Tell it not in Gath.

Publish it not in the streets
ofAshkelon...

...lest the daughters
ofthe Philistines rejoice.

Ye mountain of Gilboa...

...let there be no dew
orrain upon you.

Neitherfields ofchoice fruits...

...for there the shield
ofthe mighty was vilely cast away.

The Shield ofSaul
not anointed with oil.

Saul and Jonathan.

The beloved andpleasant
in theirlives.

Even in theirdeath
they were not divided.

They were swifter than eagles.

They were stronger than lions.

Ye daughters oflsrael,
weep over Saul...

...who clothedyou in scarlet
with otherdelights.

Who put ornaments ofgold
upon yourapparel.

How are the mighty fallen
in the midst ofbattle?

Jonathan,
upon thy high places, is slain.

I mourn foryou,
my brotherJonathan.

Verypleasant
have you been to me.

Wonderful was yourlove forme,
passing the love ofwomen.

How are the mighty fallen
and the weapons ofwarperished?

David.

David.

David.

David the King!

King David.

King!

David!

King!

This is David,
the young shepherd boy...

...immortalized by Michelangelo.

And this is David, the king,
come to life.

That is within the power of the king.

The story ofDavid...

...the second king oflsrael,
less than 3000 years ago.

After Saul, the first king oflsrael...

...and his son Jonathan
were killed by the Philistines.

David is king ofhis own tribe
ofJudah...

...but the northern tribes
still follow Saul's son, Ishvi.

Fighting has gone on forsix years.

One day, Joab, David's warchief...

...receives a message from Abner,
warchiefofSaul's son.

Joab, peace in the name of Ishvi,
son of Saul...

...the one king of Israel.

Abner, there is no peace...

...in the name of David,
the anointed king.

The chosen ruler of Judah
and all the south.

Anointed?

Is that what you call
your pretender?

Your King David?

The oil was poured on his head
by Samuel...

...the old prophet.

You pour oil on an onion
before you eat it...

...but that doesn't make you king.

It was your runner
called me here to Gideon.

There are only 10 armed men.

And how many in the wadi
beyond the village?

No more than you have
behind the rocks on that ridge.

Did you call me here to talk
or to fight?

Joab, you and I know it takes more
than a prophet's horn of oil...

...to make a king.

Now, we know that
it takes spear points and politics...

...and Iies.

David and Ishvi...

...they've been fighting each other
since the old king died.

-Are you tired, old man?
-Yes.

When Saul was alive,
there was one king...

...over Judah and Israel.

And you were his war chief.

That why you hauled his gutless son
to Gideon, stuffed him with straw...

...and propped him up with your spear
to keep him from falling?

Ishvi is a son of Saul.

If you've something to say, say it.
They won't keep a truce for Iong.

We'II all be fighting before high sun.

They have been for six years.

Abner. In time, David will win...

...and he will hang Ishvi's body
on the wall at Hebron.

Maybe, in time.

But now it is we
who have the northern tribes.

Who knows who will hang...

...on whose wall.

Joab, brother.

Abner.

Now Iisten...

...Asahel...

...brother of Joab.

Fight someone else.

Take someone else's armor.

Now, turn away.

I want no blood feud with Joab.

My son.

My son.

Oh, whose child is this?

Mine, Iord.

Oh, yes, Adonijah.

-Ephraim, Iord.
-Adonijah is my son, Iord.

Oh, yes. Of course.

Lord, this is your first-born son,
Amnon, remember?

Get up, fool. It's the king.

-Sit. How far did you run?
-The village of Karesh in Benjamin.

-Do you have a scroll?
-No, Iord. The war chief...

...told me the message and
made me say it three times.

From Abner, son of Ner,
to David, son of Jesse at Hebron...

...whose is the Iand.

Make your alliance with me.

I can bring all Israel
and the north with me.

-Is that all?
-Yes, Iord.

I can say it again word for word.

Why would he break
with Ishvi now?

You can't trust him.

Those are Abner's words.

But there's always a message
hidden under a message.

You remember a woman Saul had,
Rizpah, the concubine?

So did Abner, and he took her.

Lord, everyone knows
the women of a dead king...

...belong to his successor.

Ishvi scolded Abner
Iike a small boy for stealing a cheese.

Ishvi is a fool.

But now, Abner,
he's an empty wine skin.

I heard the war chief shout.

He swore to Yahweh
he would pull down the house of Saul.

And set up the throne of David
from Dan to Beersheba.

It's too simple.

What will he want from you?

The question is,
what do I demand of Abner?

If I offer him anything,
he'II think I need him.

Tell Abner I will meet him.

But before I see his face...

...he must bring me Michal,
daughter of Saul.

David, Saul gave her
to another man...

-...you can't--
-Do you understand?

Say it back to me three times.

I want Michal, daughter of Saul...

...who is my wife.

No, there is a mistake.
You do not understand.

Why do you bring soldiers
to my house?

-What have we got to do with soldiers?
-Are you ready, Michal...

...daughter of Saul,
wife of David of Judah?

No, that's not right...

...that was all changed.

She was given to me by Saul,
by the king.

Paltiel, please.

No. No, Iet me explain.

It's a simple mistake.

She was the wife of David,
but we are married now for years.

Michal, the wife of Paltiel.

If there's anything you want to take,
I have pack donkeys.

Abner...

...my father's war chief,
he wants me?

He was a beautiful man,
his hair was red.

Is it still red?

They say so. I haven't seen him.

I was 14.

I Ioved him.

And I Ioved my father
and my brother Jonathan...

...and they are dead.

War chief...

...it's very hard to remember
how a girl Ioves when she is 14...

...when she's Iived
as another man's wife all these years.

Abner...

...why does he want Michal?

The wife of Paltiel?

No, he wants the daughter of Saul.

When we were married, I wondered,
"Why does he Iove me?"

I thought it was for my eyes.

-Which were bright, weren't they?
-Yes.

Now my eyes are not so bright.

They've seen 5000 days
and nights in my husband's house.

There is still one thing Ieft
David can Iove.

I am still the daughter of Saul...

...who was king of all the tribes
of Israel.

Abner...

...you cannot send her to him.

Michal...

...David is king in Hebron...

...and if he and I come to a bargain,
he'II be king of all Israel...

...and you will be the first wife
of a king.

I am already the daughter
of a king...

...and it's not done much for me.

Michal!

Stay!

You remember, David, the first time
that I took you to Saul's room?

Do you remember what you said?

You said, "Lord, there is a goat
that my father sent as an offering."

And you said, "Saul has a goat."

Were you afraid of Saul, David?

I was a shepherd, he was a king.

And Yahweh's sickness was upon
him when his eyes burned.

Yes.

And when you played for him...

...Iike a man falling asleep
in the arms of an Egyptian whore.

You will not fear

The terrors ofnight

Nor the arrows that fly by day

Nor the plague ofdarkness

Nor the blight

That waits at noonday

Yes.

It was high sun when the Philistines
found Saul...

...with his own sword in his belly...

...and cut off his head.

You're a friend, Akish.

My hand was never raised
against Saul.

I Ioved him.

And I was his war chief...

...and here we are alive.

You planning to take Saul's throne...

...me to help you
by betraying his Iast son.

Saul, Iaugh with us.

King, Iive forever.

Have you spoken to the elders
of Benjamin?

Will they recognize me as king?

David.

King.

I brought you Michal,
the daughter of Saul...

...now you want me to bring you
the elders of Benjamin?

The powers of Ephraim
and all of Israel in the north?

And what am I receiving?

Just a piece of old roast goat.

What do you want to go
with your meat, Abner?

There be one king
and one power and an army...

...and a war chief.

I have Joab, son of my sister.

He's a good man
for fighting in the mountains...

...stealing geese from farms.

What can he say to the elders
of Asher and Benjamin...

...about Ieaving the House of Saul
for a David?

You need me, David, son of Jesse...

...king in Judah only.

Take a meat, Abner...

...we'II find some spice to go with it.

Abner is here.

Abner. With my brother's blood
on his head...

...and you Iet him go in peace?

You fed him...

...with roast meat and oil and honey...

-...and you Iet him go in peace.
-Joab.

You Iet Abner come into your house
and count your men...

...see how the gates are built
and where the walls are weak...

...and you Iet him go in peace.

Uncle, you are a fool.

Abner was Saul's war chief...

...without him, Ishvi is no king.

He's a gelded sheep.

I need Abner. The tribes of Benjamin
and Ephraim follow him.

He can bring me
the whole of the north.

And he is to go in peace.

Well, what did he say, brother?

Send a runner north to the well
at Borsora...

...where Abner will camp
for the night.

The king wants him to return here.

Wait. My men are outside.

I had them.
After six years, I had them all.

The elders of Benjamin, Ephraim,
Asher, Jesuit, Judah. I had them all.

And you. You stupid bloody fool.
You murdered him.

You sent for him in my name
and you murdered him.

And who will believe
it was not my order?

AII the tribes in the north will say...

...that David brought Abner
to his house...

...gave him bread and salt
and butchered him Iike an ox.

And they will go to Ishvi again
and they will call him king.

My enemies I can fight...

...but when my servants
are bloody stupid fools...

My brother, Asahel's blood
cried out against Abner.

-I had the blood right--
-You?

Abner's blood will drown me.

David's name will stink
in the nose of Israel...

...Iike a dog dead in the sun
for three days.

There would've been one king
over all Yahweh's people...

...from Dan to Beersheba...

...without war, without fighting.

What blood will be spilled
on the ground now?

What bloodguilt
will you have, Joab?

Yahweh will call for a Iife
to pay for Abner's Iife.

A butcher must be butchered...

...and the people will know
that I had no part of this.

King, I am your servant.

Kill me.

I have killed for you.

When Saul hunted you...

...when you fought in the army
of Achish the Philistine...

...I killed for you.

For six years, I killed the men of Abner
sent after you...

...in the name of Ishvi.

I made you an army...

...that brought you from the wilderness
here to Hebron.

The tribe of Benjamin and Ephraim
and Asher followed Abner...

...but your army...

...follows Joab.

But...

...if Yahweh calls for my death...

...kill me.

Joab...

...when Abner's body is washed...

...when it is carried to the burial cave,
you and your people...

...will tear your clothes
and gash your face.

And you will follow his body...

...howling and wailing
Iike pregnant widows.

No! Wrong, David.
He was my blood enemy.

Listen to me, son of my sister!

I need you and your army.

Ishvi will fall.

I must take the walled cities
one by one.

I want the Jebusite town of
Jerusalem for my own city...

...because it stands on neutral ground
between north and south.

AII this I have planned
but you, you blundering stupid fool.

Now...

...follow Abner's body...

...or follow Abner.

Listen to me...

...people of Israel and Judah.

I am David...

...king.

Before Yahweh...

...I swear...

...I had no part in the blood of Abner,
son of Ner.

Let the blood fall on Joab.

Yahweh's curse is on his house.

-Stone him.
-Stone him.

PIease, don't.

Let the Lord
punish the crime of Joab.

I turn my face from him.

He's war chief of my army no more.

So that the people may know...

...that David, king...

...had no part in the killing
of Abner...

...son of Ner.

There.

Behind the brush. Stay down.

They have sharp eyes
on the city wall.

Joab, why take the risk?

David made you eat dirt
before Abner's body.

But I'II spit it out.

I know David.

If I give him the city
of the Jebusites up there...

...I'II be his war chief again.

He swore he would never turn
his face to you.

He never will turn his face to me...

...until he needs me.

And then he will make a song
which says...

...he swore to make the man
who took this city his commander...

...then everybody will sing
and believe it...

...and David will believe
his own song.

Because the truth for a king
is what he needs.

And David needs Jerusalem.

Are you sure the tunnel
Ieads all the way?

Last night, I crawled up the shaft.

It goes through the mountain...

...rising about 400 cubits...

...to the water pool
then straight up the well shaft...

...to just inside the walls
of the city...

...no more than 20 cubits
from the caravan gate.

You make it sound easy, brother.

What about the men?

Take them
to below the caravan gate.

I'II open it from the inside.

David, king...

...the city is yours.

Jerusalem, the fortress.
David's city.

David, rejoice in the eyes
of Yahweh!

David the king,
in the eyes of Yahweh!

Rejoice.

David, king in the eyes of Yahweh
and Jerusalem.

CIap your hands...

...all you people.

Shout to on high,
in the voice of God.

This is the bread blessed
by Yahweh's priest of yam.

I brought it to you.

Give it to one of your own wives...

...great king.

Michal, I chose you...

...because this is a night of blessing.

Tonight, my enemies seem far away.

I wanted to remember...

...Saul, your father...

...and Jonathan, your brother.

Do you remember
how you and I and Jonathan...

...would sit in the cool of the dark
on the roof.

I would Iook at you
and we'd smile secretly...

...because we Ioved Jonathan...

...but if only he would grow tired
and go to bed...

...then we could go to bed.

My brother Jonathan is dead.

Saul is dead.

I still mourn for him.

And for Jonathan.

I tore my clothes.

I made a death song for them.

But you are alive...

...and you sit in my father's place.

And you took me from my husband
as a sign for Israel.

"See, David is Iegitimate.

He has the daughter of Saul."

Michal.

When we were young,
we Ioved one another.

Michal.

AII Israel is at peace.

Today, I--

I put the Ark of the Covenant
into my city...

...and Yahweh blessed me
with honor.

What honor?

I saw you today jumping
before the people Iike a slave girl.

Is that honor?

Uncovering yourself
before the women.

Robes flapping,
showing your root and your buttock...

...Iike a priest of Sodom.

My father was not a king Iike that.

Saul was a man.

If I uncovered myself,
it was before my God, Yahweh...

...who chose me...

...over your father
and all his house to rule Israel.

And if Yahweh calls me...

...I will be more vile than that
in your eyes.

Michal.

Your eyes are Iike Jonathan's.

Let me go.

There are too many years
between us.

David, Iet me go back
to my husband Paltiel.

He wept for me.

No.

A king cannot Iet anything go
that is his.

You have no heart.

When you were young,
you could Iove.

Can you Iove anyone now, David?

You can conquer.

You can rut among
the women Iike a randy goat.

But can you Iove?

Well. Here am I.

I am the king's.

But if we have a son...

...remember,
he will have the blood of Saul.

Will you not be afraid
he'II turn out to be another David...

...to your Saul?

Now...

...you are the wife of the king...

...but you will have no more sons.

Are you there?

With those stones...

...the Iaws you gave to Moses...

...that our people carried
into Canaan...

...to battle.

Hark, Yahweh.

Yahweh...

...you brought me
to this mountain top.

You took me from my father's.

To Saul, to Jonathan and to Michal.

It is now Iost to me.

So many are dead...

...and I Iive...

...and I am king.

Why?

Yahweh...

...they came to me...

...and they said you must not Ieave
one of the seed of Saul alive...

...as a danger to you.

Now, that is said,
any fool knows that.

They brought before me a boy,
Jonathan's son...

...who was crippled in both feet.

And he was sure he would die
after the custom of all nations.

But I Iooked at him...

...and I saw the face of Jonathan.

And I raised him up...

...and sat him beside me...

...and I restored the Iands of Saul
to him.

Now, why did I do that?

No king from Egypt
to the Iand of Hazor...

...would've done it.

Tell me, Yahweh...

...which is David?

The warrior who wades
in the blood of his enemy...

...or the fool who weeps
because he sees Jonathan's eyes...

...in a crippled boy?

Yahweh, to be king...

...to see the blood of your enemy...

...empty.

What is it that I search for?

And I play the same phrase
over and over...

...and I know that somewhere
there is music that is more beautiful.

Who am I, Lord...

...that you have brought me
thus far?

You know my soul, Lord.

Be a father to me.

If I'm weak...

...if I sin...

...Iet my enemies work your punishment
upon me in the ways of men.

Lord.

Yahweh. God.

Do not take your mercy
from me and my house...

...as you did from the house of Saul.

Let me not fear for my sons.

Yahweh...

...Iet the House of David...

...servant...

...be blest forever.

Now we are writing down
the holy words...

...in the way of the Phoenicians.

Here.

What have you written today,
Seriah?

When Kenan was 70 years old,
he begot Mahalalel.

After the birth of Mahalalel...

...Kenan Iived 840 years...

-...and begot--
-Scribe.

We will run out of sheep
for skins to write your begettings.

But, Lord,
we must show the people...

...that the House of David
is blessed through Yahweh...

...and in a Iegitimate Iine,
from Abraham, who begot Isaac...

...who begot Jacob, who beg--

Scribes.

When I was a boy
in my father's house...

...and the old men of the tribe
chanted the holy stories...

...and beat us with sticks
if we did not remember...

...my skin crawled with wonder.

I could see Abraham, our father...

...and the angel of death
killing the firstborn of Egypt.

And Joshua...

...taking the city of Jericho.

I warn you, scribes...

...Iet that wonder...

...come through your Phoenician
chicken tracks on sheep skin.

Do not Iet the singers
and the story tellers...

...and the dreamers be Iost in your
priestly begetting of the generations.

And do not bleach out the souls
of our fathers...

...to a fish, belly-white.

Write down their sin...

...their stubbornness...

...their weakness.

For that makes them men.

From taxes on caravans
on the way of the sea.

Silver, weighing four talents.

Grain, barley, 1000 measures.

Rye, 750 measures.

Egyptian Iinen of middle grade bolts,
to the value of 1 talent of silver.

How Iong has the hot wind
blown off the Sinai?

Seven days, Iord.

It began on the day
of the driving out...

...of the sin-goat into the wilderness.

Do you know the Iaw of the Amalekites
in the desert of the Negev?

After four days of the hot wind...

...there is no bloodguilt
if a man commits murder.

Where is the cool wind
from the north?

In the mouth of Yahweh, Iord.

Iron bars, weighing 50 talents.

Purple dye from Tyre, 50 measures.

Cinnabar, a hundred weight.

Tanned Ieather hides,
first grade, a hundred.

Middle grade, 150.

Copper from the western islands,
in bars, 100.

Smelted with tin, 50 bars.

Earrings to the weight
of five talents.

Log wood dyed, 50 measures.

Similar bonds,
treated within the harbor of Tyre, 500.

SIings,
taken from the city of Moab...

Siege of the city of Amman...

Lord, what will you do?

Lord?

Lord?

Joab asks for harems,
builders and stone...

...to make a ramp for him
to storm the wall of Rabbah.

Send them.

But, Iord, they're still working here
on your great house.

If Joab doesn't take Rabbah...

...we do not rule the way
of the eastern caravan...

...and I will not need
a great house in Jerusalem.

Send the builders.

Jehosephat.

Lord.

There was a woman on that roof.

Who is she?

That is the house of Uriah...

...the woman
would be his wife, Bathsheba.

Uriah.

A foreigner, Lord, a Hittite,
but he follows Yahweh now.

He is with the fighting men
at Rabbah.

Come into the Iight.

So, you are Bathsheba.

Did you wonder why I sent for you?

But you came.

I am your servant, Lord...

...your handmaiden.

I couldn't sleep.

The hot wind.

No one sleeps
when the hot wind comes, Iord.

A man's soul is parched.

The Iinen he wears is hot...

...and rough.

Like Canaan cloth.

I saw you on your rooftop...

...when you bathed.

I have seen you often, Lord.

David.

My heart's Iove?

When you took Michal to wife...

...did you choose her every night?

I was younger then.

When Ahinoam was young,
was she more beautiful than I?

Did Michal please her Iord
more than I?

Bathsheba, my heart...

...I'm trying to read the report of Joab
of the battle of Rabbah.

You have six wives, Iord,
and concubines.

When your eyes closed
and your face is buried in my hair...

...do you know which I am?

I know...

...that you are Bathsheba...

...my heart.

Even if my eyes were blind,
I would know you.

You are written on my heart.

The scroll which Iists the things
a king desires...

...gold, cities, slaves.

My heart.

I would Iove you...

...care for you and protect you,
even if I were a shepherd.

Lord...

...I am with child.

-Can you be sure?
-It is four weeks past my time.

There are reasons
for a woman to be Iate.

This is my 10th year.
I have been with the moon always.

Your seed is growing, Iord.

By...

...Yahweh.

I am a mighty ram.

A bull.

Rejoice.

You carry the seed of David.

Lord, my husband,
your captain, Uriah...

...has been at the war in Rabbah
four months.

Well?

When my belly grows
with the seed of David...

...will there be anyone foolish enough
not to count on their fingers?

-It will be nothing.
-It will be adultery, proven.

And the punishment for that
is the death of heavy stones.

I am the king.

Who will dare make such a charge?

No one, Iord.

No one will make a charge
against you...

...but a woman
with her belly carrying a bastard...

...the priests will drag her, me,
to trial.

Nathan, the prophet, would thunder
and threaten Yahweh's curse.

The Iaw is hard on women, Iord.

Even a king could not save a woman
who is proved adulterous.

I will not Iet them.

Can even you go against the priests
and Nathan, the prophet?

No, not now.

With the new taxes for the war
at Rabbah...

...and the numbering of the people
for the army.

If I go against the custom of Israel,
the priests will pull me down.

As Samuel turned against Saul.

But there are always other ways.

You are with child only two months.

Why should it
not be your husband's child?

Because Uriah, my husband,
has been at Rabbah four months.

That is within the power of the king.

Uriah, the Hittite,
captain of a hundred.

King, Iive forever
in Yahweh's blessing.

King, Ii--

Captain...

...I have called you from the fighting
to report to me.

Me, Iord?

How does the fighting
go against Rabbah?

I don't know, Iord.

Well, you've just come from there.

The dust of the road is on your feet.

Lord, I am not called to the tent
of the war chief or the council.

I just command a hundred
in one corner of the wall...

...near the reed swamp.

Well, how does the fighting go
in your corner of the wall...

...near the reed swamp?

Very well.

Well, that is...

...they shoot down arrows...

...we wait.

Good. Very, very good.

How are your fighting men, captain?

Like all fighting men.

Some run away...

...steal what they can.

Some are brave. They all complain.

Captain, your report
is very important.

-It is?
-You have the favor of the king.

Now, go down to your own house
and wash the dust from your feet.

Rest.

Refresh yourself.

I will send food to you from my table.

Lord David.

What are you doing here?

You're supposed to be
with your husband.

That would be very difficult, Iord.

That fool is camping outside
in the courtyard with his troops.

I am Iying on my bed naked...

...anointed with oil of myrrh...

...and he is sleeping on the stones
with 50 soldiers with sweaty feet.

And they roll heavy stones
off the walls...

...which hit the base,
which slants up...

...so the stones bounce
and crush our men.

You're very clear. Most valuable.

Last night, they tell me...

...you slept on the stones
outside with your soldiers.

Yes, Iord.

Well, why didn't you go
into your house?

-The Iaw.
-The Iaw?

Yahweh's Iaw.

Joab of my Iord's army
is at war, Iiving in the field.

Shall I go into my house...

...and eat and drink
and Iie with my wife?

Most men would.

It is Yahweh's Iaw.

No soldier in battle
shall touch a woman...

...his wife or concubine
or follower of the camp.

Oh, that Iaw.

But, Uriah,
that is a Iaw of ancient days.

I mean, a Iittle refreshment
makes a man fight better.

Lord, I was born a Hittite.

I followed false gods till
I was brought to the way of Yahweh.

The ark of the Lord is at the battle.

Can I be impure
and sleep with my wife...

...when the Iaw of Yahweh is clear?

Surely the king would not tell anyone
to break holy Iaw.

No, no. Of course not.

Captain, you are more pious
and scrupulously righteous...

...than a man born to Yahweh's Iaw.

I commend you.

Tomorrow, I will Iet you return
to your fighting.

To victory.

Uriah, go down to your house.
You deserve comfort and joy.

Bathsheba?

Bathsheba?

Bathsheba?

Open.

Open to the master of the house.

Bathsheba, I'm here.

I'm here, Bathsheba.

The Iion of Catushar.

The stallion of the Hittites.

Let me in, or by Yahweh who Iives--

Who said Yahweh?

Yahweh.

What am I doing?

Oh, Yahweh, I swear I did not mean
to break your Iaw.

Yahweh...

...keep me from sin.

I call you to witness...

...I did not go in to my wife.

I did not go in.

I am pure, Yahweh.

I am pure in your sight.

I am pure in your sight, Yahweh.

Yahweh.

The king put this in your hand?

Yes, war chief.

Do you know what he writes here?

No, war chief.

Captain...

...Uriah.

You're a good fighting man.

You may go back to your hundred.

The west gate of the city...

...where they send out sallies...

...put Uriah the Hittite there.

Give him orders to follow any man
back to the gate.

-To the gate?
-Do not ask questions.

Never ask questions.

They sent spearmen out
from the west gate ofthe city...

...and ourhundreds drove them back
andpursued them to the gate...

...and they threw heavy rocks
from the wall and arrows.

And some ofyourfighting men
were killed.

Your captain, Uriah the Hittite...

...is dead also.

The baby is in breech.

Yurmate, Banco,
what are you Iistening for?

They will blow the ram's horn
from the woman's house...

...when the child is born, Iord.

When David's son is born, he'II raise
the ram's horn and blow it himself.

Nathan, prophet.

Welcome to the house of David.

Bring water to wash
the prophet's feet.

Come, sit at my right hand.

David, son of Jesse.

I come with a matter
for the king's justice.

Prophet, this is no time for ordinary
matters of Iaw and judgment.

We're waiting for the birth
of the son of David, the king.

The prophet speaks
in the name of Yahweh.

Here is the case
for the judgment of the king.

There were two men

One, rich.

Many sheep, donkeys and goats.

The other, poor.

He had nothing
but a Iittle ewe Iamb.

He raised that Iamb.
He fed it with his hand.

He Ioved it as his children.

There came a traveler
to visit the rich man.

The rich man did not take any animal
from his own herd...

...to feast the stranger.

But he took the poor man's Iamb...

...and killed it
and roasted it to serve the traveler.

This is the case.

Make a judgment, David. King.

This man deserves to die.

Judgment

The man shall be fined four times
the value of the Iamb.

Because he had no pity.

You are that man.

This says Yahweh

I anointed you king of Israel...

...and saved you
from the hand of Saul.

Why have you
despised the word of Yahweh...

...to do evil in my sight.

Prophet, you are before the king.

The king of Israel
is not Iike the kings of other Iands.

He is the servant of Yahweh.

Uriah the Hittite,
you have killed with a sword...

...and therefore the sword
shall never depart from your house.

For you have taken the wife of Uriah
to be your wife.

Behold.

I will raise up evil against you
out of your own house...

...for this you did secretly...

...but I will do this thing
before all Israel and before the sun.

Joab!

I have sinned...

...against Yahweh.

Yahweh hears you.

But by this thing,
you have blasphemed Yahweh.

You will not die.

But the child that is born to you
will surely die.

My Iove.

David, my own king.

Well, you can have another son.

Oh, my beloved.

Must all speak at once?

Your firstborn, Iord,
Amnon, my son...

...you promised him rule over
three villages in Benjamin.

Look at him, Iord.

Absalom, the people follow him and
say the Iion of Judah is born again.

He has your blood too, Iord...

...my son, Adonijah...

...should he be made small
for the sons of Ahinoam and Maacah.

Now, hear me.

AII the sons of my wives
are in my heart.

Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah...

...and all the others
ever as Yahweh Iives.

If I can rule all Israel
from Dan to Beersheba...

...I can rule the women of my house.

Amnon is my firstborn...

...he is my right hand.

He is first after me...

...and he will rule over
the three villages in Benjamin.

And all men will obey him
when he speaks in my name.

Abigail.

Lord?

Why have I not seen you
for so Iong?

I have been here, Iord.

But you have many wives,
and you must see to them.

Woman...

...you were wise
when you came to me from Nabal.

Tell me...

...why is there no peace
in my house?

Lord, when they were young...

...they had power over you
through their bodies...

...but there are always younger wives
brought into the house of a king.

So now, their whole world
is their sons.

And they plan
and they whisper in their ears...

...and they scratch and they claw
to gain power over all the others.

And they know,
Yahweh Iet it not happen...

...that when the king dies,
only one son will rule.

And it is the way of all kings...

...that he will feel safe...

...only when he sees the blood
of all his brothers.

So there can never be peace
in my house?

I am at peace, Iord.

I have no son
to send out into the race.

I am Iike you, Iord.

I am alone.

When I was a boy...

...Iying in the high grass
above Bethlehem...

...watching my father's sheep...

...a song came into my heart Iike water
bubbling up out of the earth.

There are many things that are not as
they were when we were young, uncle.

-Your son Amnon--
-I do not wish to hear.

He judges in your name
these three years...

-...but he sells your justice and takes--
-Joab.

--In your name, makes
the name of David a stench--

-He is my son.
-Uncle, Iisten to me.

No.

After all, am I without sin?
He's my son, he's my firstborn.

He has my blood.

He has your blood.

Tamar.

-You mean she's the one?
-Beautiful.

You can't.
She's your father's daughter...

...your brother Absalom's sister.

Your father,
do you know what he will do?

I am my father's firstborn.

He will deny me nothing.

Sister.

The king our father said
I was to bring you some cakes...

-...because you were ill, Amnon.
-Tamar, come in.

Jonadab, Iet you
and my men Ieave me.

Brother?

Come, sister, bring me the cakes.

-No.
-Tamar, it is for you that I am ill.

No. No, brother,
you must not do this evil.

No!

No!

Sister.

And after, he called his people
and he said

"Put this whore out of my house."

Where will I go?

What if my own brother's seed is--?

You will stay here with me, sister...

...and we will be silent.

He is his firstborn.

Wait, sister.

Wait.

Wait.

Absalom.

Brother.

My son.

Amnon, my son.

He's dead.

Your son...

...he killed him.

Absalom murdered him.

He killed my son.

Your son is dead and mine Iives.

Absalom Iives and he will be king.

He is safe in my father's city.

He Iives and he will be king.

Woman...

...I am king.

And after me...

...I will say who will be king.

Now, I am bereft of my firstborn...

...he has been struck down.

My son, my beautiful Amnon is dead
and Absalom...

...is fled into exile...

...and in exile he will stay.

Help. Grant me justice, oh, king.

Help me.

-What is your trouble, woman?
-My husband is Iong dead, Iord.

I had two sons and they fought
with each other in the fields...

...and none could part them.

One of them struck the other
and killed him.

And now the family has risen up
against me and said

"Give me your son...

...who has killed his brother
that we may kill him for his murder."

If my Iast son dies...

...my husband's name will be gone
from the face of the earth.

Lord...

...protect my son.

You are protected...

...the king's judgment.

Do you swear, Iord...

...by Yahweh...

...that my son
shall not be destroyed.

As Yahweh Iives.

Your son is safe.
I have given judgment.

Then you are in violation
of your own judgment, Iord.

If my son is forgiven
and called home...

...why does the king not call home
his own banished son, Absalom?

We all die, Iord.

We are as water spilled on the ground,
but cannot be gathered up again.

Yahweh himself finds the way
to forgive the outcast.

Silence, woman.

Who has paid you?
Who gave you those words to say?

Joab.

Was it my war chief, Joab?

Yes, sire.

You go too far, war chief.

-You always go too far.
-Uncle, your heart calls for your son.

For Absalom.

He's been in exile three years.

Call him home.

I will grant your request,
son of my sister.

Go. Bring my son Absalom back.

But Iet him stay in his own house...

...that he won't see my face.

Two years.

Two years since he called me back
to Jerusalem...

...and he has not Iooked upon me.

Why?

Why did he call me back?

Listen, Joab, go to him.

Tell him I cannot Iive this way.
If he finds guilt in me...

-...then Iet him kill me.
-Absalom--

I am his son, tell him.

I have come, Absalom,
as you requested.

You are counselor to the king,
Ahithophel.

You Iive at his court and you know
the evil the king, my father...

...has invited into his house.

Tell me, Ahithophel...

...Iet me hear your advice.

Are the people with me?

The people yearn for you...

...and will be with you...

...even as they were
with David the shepherd...

...when he fled
from the wrath of Saul.

I go now, with my father's permission,
to Hebron...

...where men of his own tribe of Judah
will support me.

When I send the word, be ready.

BIow the ram's horns
and Iight the signal fires...

...so that all will know,
from Dan to Beersheba.

Israel has a new king.

David.

-David, David awaken!
-I know, I know. Saul is the only--

Wake up, wake up.

-Joab.
-Listen to me.

-It's cold.
-Your son...

...Absalom has declared himself king
in Hebron.

Absalom? You Iie.

There are signal fires
in every high place in the north.

The tribal militia are coming to him
from Benjamin and Ephraim.

-Where is he now?
-At Hebron still.

But our army is across the Jordan
to the east.

He can reach the city here
before they can.

-You sent runners?
-Yes, Iord.

Bring me my armor, my sword.

Jehosephat.

I am ready to go with you, Iord,
into the wilderness.

No, no. You will stay here.

You will crawl to Absalom
when he enters the city.

-No.
-You will serve him.

You will be of his counsel
and you will tell him...

...what I will send you to tell him
by my priests.

King, Iive forever.

We have a thousand men.

We can hold the city
till the army reach us.

And be caught Iike a sheep
with his tail in the gate? No.

We'II Ieave Jerusalem to him.

Leave him Jerusalem?

If he can keep it, Iet him be king.

I was dreaming of Saul.

I Ioved Saul,
yet we were not of the same blood.

Why cannot my sons Iove me?

Saul drove you away to the mountains
and you became a rebel.

You drove Absalom away.
I tried to warn you.

If there was Iove...

...it soured in the years when you
would not Iet him see your face.

Back to the mountains...

...to be hunted Iike a partridge.

Uncle?

The runner has come
from Jerusalem...

-Listen.
-...from Zadok the priest.

Listen. It's a Nahorean moan.

It goes out the end of the phrase.

He called the elders in
and before them all...

...he took your concubines.

He is the most beautiful
of my sons.

When I was a young man,
women Ioved me as they do him.

But Iove has Iittle to do with it.

He did it to show that he was king
and you were dead.

So you would've been if he'd come
before we crossed the Jordan.

By Yahweh, it was close.

Some tried to convince him
to move quickly.

But another counseled,
"Wait. Wait...

...until you have your men gathered.

Your father is an old, wounded bear...

-...hiding in the brush. Surround him."
-How do you know that?

The runner just brought the word.

Because I Ieft good friends
behind me in Jerusalem...

...to counsel my son.

Oh, Iord, you are a fox.

A serpent.

Let your enemy be a fool.

We'II divide the force
into three parts.

You will command the Ieft...

...the mercenaries from the Negev,
and the Philistines on the right.

And I will Iead the center.

No, Iord, you will not.

You will not be at the battle.
Battles are in the hands of Yahweh.

If we run before Absalom's 12,000...

...then some will die
and the war will go on.

But if you are killed
in the first charge...

...stow the Iucky arrow...

...then the war is over...

...and your enemy is king.

Not my enemy.

He is my son.

Do you remember the prophet...

...when he spoke
in the voice of Yahweh?

I will raise up evil against you
out of your own house.

Lord, I have nothing to do with priests
and prophets.

But Absalom
will cross the Jordan tomorrow.

In the battle,
deal gently for my sake...

...with the young man.

With Absalom.

Lord, all is well.

BIessed by Yahweh, our God,
who struck down all those...

...who sought to raise their hand
against the king, our Iord.

Is it...

...well with the young man,
Absalom?

Is it well with the young man,
Absalom?

Absalom.

Lord,
Yahweh has avenged you today...

...against all those who rose up
against you.

Absalom.

At the enemies of my Iord,
the king...

...and all those who rise up
against you...

...be as that young man is.

Oh, Absalom!

Oh, my son.

Absalom.

My son.

My son, Absalom.

Would I have died for you?

My son.

My son.

My son.

Lord.

Who's there?

Bathsheba.

What do you want?

Lord, would you speak with me?

Go. Go.

Beautiful child.

What? Oh, yes.

Oh, I feel cold. I'm always cold.

They sent her to me for sure...

...and...

...yes, it is for sure.

Beautiful.

Do you remember, Iord?

When I was young...

...I was not as thin as this Yemenite.

Not as pale.

You were the color of the stones
of Jerusalem when the sun sets...

...across the valley of Kidron.

Golden.

Do you remember
what you said to me, Iord?

"Do you wonder why I sent for you?"

And I said

"I am your handmaiden, Iord."

Lord...

...I'm afraid for my child.

They cannot touch him.
I am the king.

I will bring your husband
from Rabbah.

No one will know.

Lord, Uriah the Hittite
has been dead 25 years.

I know.

Lord...

...do you remember when you wept
on my breast for our firstborn...

...and I said

"You will have another son."

He is Solomon...

...your son.

And I am afraid for him.

-Why?
-Oh, Iord, Iive forever, but you are old.

Your power slips
from the weak hand.

I am still the king.

Your war chief is in the house
of your son, Adonijah.

Joab.

He goes to power
Iike an ant to honey.

Adonijah calls himself king.

Adonijah calls himself king
while I am still alive?

Lord, did you not know?

Did you not say, "Adonijah will rule
after me and sit upon my chair?"

No, no.

I will say who will rule after me,
and who will sit on the chair of David.

Guard.

Bring me Nathan the prophet...

...and Zadok the priest and Benaiah,
the commander of the guard...

...and Solomon.

I want my son, Solomon.

And, Solomon, my son.

Ride upon my own horse
to Gideon...

...and Iet Nathan the prophet...

...and Zadok the priest
anoint him their king of Israel.

And sound the horn and say

"After David...

...Solomon shall be king."

Joab...

...you know what he did?

Abner...

...Absalom, your brother.

Kill Joab.

He is in the house of Adonijah...

...and you will not be safe.

He has taught me this.

If Joab was Solomon...

...he would kill Joab.

Solomon, my son.

I go the way of all earth.

Keep the Iaw of Yahweh
and his commandments...

...that are written
in the Iaw of Moses.

Be strong.

Show yourself...

...a man.