Solomon (1997)

[bunniefuu]

[music playing]

[woman] I am black

and beautiful.

O daughters of Jerusalem,

do not gaze at me
because I am dark.

Let him kiss me
with the kisses of his mouth.

[man] Your lips
are like crimson thread,

your breasts
are like two fawns

that feed among the lilies.

There is no flaw in you.

[music playing]

[laughs]

[music playing]

[crowd cheering]

Whoa, whoa,

whoa, whoa!

Adonijah!

Adonijah, my brother!

Are you hurt?

Oh, of course not, Solomon.

I always end a race this way.

No, don't move.

Let me see if you're injured.

So, you're a
physician now, too?

Is there anything you
don't know, Solomon?

I know you're too
mean to be hurt

by such a minor accident.

Minor accident?

It was spectacular.

I thought you'd
been k*lled.

Imagine my
disappointment now,

to see you
still alive.

Get away from me!

I'm not hurt.

I won, Solomon.

Won?

You have to cross
the finish line to win.

Look at you,
you can't even walk.

I can walk.

[Solomon]
Pick him up, pick him up!

Break camp!

The hunt is over.

To Jerusalem!

[music playing]

Are you in
need of help?

Only if you're a physician.

Physician?

[laughs]

No, no, my lord!

Stop. Stop, stop,
stop, stop.

But my daughter
is skilled in herbs.

Many people say she
has healed them.

What is your name?

I am Azarel ben Asaph,
from Jaffa.

I travel to Jerusalem
to sell saltfish.

This is my daughter,

if we can be
of any help, my lord.

What is her name?

[Azarel] She is called Abishag.

And she has healing
powers, you say?

Well, she has healed many
in my village, my lord.

I am Solomon,
son of King David.

This is my half-brother,
also King David's son.

If you can help him,
there'll be a handsome reward,

I can assure you.

Oh, to aid the son
of our great king

is reward enough,
my lord.

There is an oasis just there.

We'll test your
daughter's healing powers.

Why the fish themselves
do not get sick,

is a great mystery
to me, my lord!

Ah, ah, do not worry,

do not worry, my lord.

Abishag will help
your brother.

My wife offers you saltfish.

This is my business,
my lord.

Here, try it.

I think you'll
find it pleasing.

Mmm, this is good, Azarel.

But how can you fish
if you can't abide boats?

No, I do not fish myself,
my lord.

Never.

I buy from the boats as
they come in the evening.

We work through the night
to salt the fish.

Through the night?

The heat of the day,

they must be fresh.

Solomon!

Adonijah!

Are you all right?

But your wounds!?

Nearly painless.

Would that I had been
injured before

were I to be touched
by this woman.

Abishag, come out.

Have you ever seen
such a creature?

And her hands,

they are touched by God.

She heals just by laying on.

[Solomon] Perhaps you'd
like to meet her father?

Azarel ben Asaph
from Jaffa,

meet the recently revived
Adonijah from Jerusalem,

the son of King David
and Haggith.

Sir, I'd like
to buy your daughter.

[laughs]

She's not for sale, my lord.

Then I'd like to marry her.

No, my lord.

Hah, you?!

Married?! Hah.

[music playing]

[vendors chattering]

May the King
live forever.

Your blessing,
Father.

Lord bless you and keep you.

God make His face
to shine upon you

and be gracious to you.

God lift up
His countenance to you

and give you peace.

-So...
-Uh-hmm.

...the hunt went well?

No, Father.
No game was seen.

Oh. So, no tales
to tell, then?

Oh, a tale of near
death to tell.

What?

But without the hunt?

Adonijah challenged
me to a race.

An accident?

He was thrown
from his chariot

when it overturned.

Is he injured?

That's the most
interesting part.

He was hurt, badly.

He was cut, broken,
he passed out

and we were rushing him
here to the court physicians.

But on the way,

we met an old merchant
and his family.

A dealer in saltfish,
O Illustrious One.

Though never have I set
foot on a boat myself.

The motion, Great One,
it brings on the sickness.

Why the fish
themselves are not sick

is a mystery to me,
my lord.

[coughs]

-But then his daughter...
-Uh-hmm?

...a great beauty,

took Adonijah
into their tent

and within an hour,
he was nearly whole.

An amazing cure.

How?

Herbs and a knowledge
of nature, she says.

Bring her to me, Solomon.

Perhaps she
can do something

with this old body.

I will.

Solomon!

Solomon,
let me approach her.

-Who?
-The girl.

The beauty you
promised to our father.

You were listening?

I must have her, Solomon,

let me bring her
to the palace.

The king commanded me...

A favor, I beg of you.

Solomon?

-Yes, all right.
-Thank you, Solomon.

Acknowledge them.

It is you
they are cheering.

Is it wise to be seen
riding together, Joab?

What could
be more natural?

You take an interest
in the army,

so you ride with the
general in command.

-But much more important.
-Yes?

It shows that the army
is behind you.

Solomon's a weakling.

You speak harshly
of my brother?

Half-brother.

With him on the throne,

this country
will fall apart

within five years.

Or Bathsheba would rule.

Solomon's mother
is not as strong

as she would
like to think.

Stronger than her son.

So is my eunuch.

What Bathsheba
doesn't understand

that Israel's strength
lies in her fighting men.

You do, so the
army's behind you.

And look at the people.
They love you.

You're their image of
what a prince should be.

And when the time comes,
and I think it will not

be long, we must strike.

Then, the throne
of Israel is yours.

Now, where do we find this
young woman you lust of?

You wait till
you see her.

Make way!

Make way!

I'm Joab,
general in charge

of the armed
forces of Israel.

You are commanded
to present yourself

and your daughter at
the court of King David.

[music playing]

Arise.

You are in no danger.

I am Bathsheba,
wife of King David,

mother of Solomon.

He tells me your
daughter heals wounds.

Is that true?

It is quite true,
my queen.

I'm not a queen.

He flatters me
because he thinks

it will be to his benefit.

What's your name?

He's Azarel ben Asaph of Jaffa,

a seller of saltfish.

And this is his daughter,
Abishag.

Come here, child.

You're beautiful.

So, you're skilled in herbs?

I have some knowledge,
your majesty.

It is our wish that your
daughter remains here

to nurse the king.

General Joab,

I'm thankful for your interest

in bringing this girl here.

You may go now.

As you wish.

You may all go.

Azarel, come here.

What I am about to tell
you is vital information,

worth much to
the king's enemies.

You love the king?

Israel exists only

because of King David,

for God loves him.

But the king's life
is drawing to its close.

Israel is divided,

and only King David
can bring us all together.

That's why I want your
daughter to use

all her power to bring back

the health of King David.

And I promise that
when she will leave,

she will take with her
a dowry fit for a queen,

and she will be
as pure as she is today.

It shall be as you wish.

Good.

So, my dear,
we'll prepare you

to meet the king.

[water gushing]

[music playing]

[Joab] David is dying.

Our king is dying.

He will not survive.

And when he dies,

who are they going
to put on the throne?

-Solomon.
-Solomon!

[Joab] And you know
as well as I do,

our kingdom will be lost
with him on the throne.

[Abiathar] You know that's
treason you're talking!

[Joab] Treason?!

It's our duty to consider
the succession.

But it is the king's will
that Solomon succeed him.

But is it God's will,
Abiathar?

Joab, God's will

and King David's will
are one and the same.

Is it God's will that
His kingdom be governed

by a weak man,

without ambition for
himself or his people?

Of course, as priests,

I look to you for guidance
in these matters.

And the army?

Well, naturally,
they'll follow your lead.

And yours, General Joab.

Adonijah should...

must be our new king.

But he cannot, will not,

unless you, his newly
elected High Priest,

anoint him.

High Priest?

Of course.

Let me explain.

It is essential
that Adonijah

be crowned
before David dies...

Abishag.

[David] Well, come closer.

Come closer!

There's no need to fear me.

Oh, she makes me wish
I were young again.

But then, my dearest,

so do you.

Do you sing, child?

A little, my Lord King.

Play for your king.

[plays gently]

All is prepared for tomorrow
at the Stone Zoheleth,

near Enrogel.

I'll send a company
there with food

and wine enough
to feast a thousand.

And the priests?

Abiathar is riding
there even now.

It has come to pass.

In the morning,
I'll spread the word

through the marketplace.

This time tomorrow,
Adonijah,

you will be
King of Israel.

Long live the King.

-[David] Joab?
-My lord?

[David] Oh, Joab,
come, come here.

You summoned me, my lord?

I'm troubled, Joab.

By what?

[David] Memories.

Memories trouble old men.

Your memories should be
of battles won for God,

kingdoms established
in His name.

God's own words
trouble me, Joab.

Now, therefore,
the sword shall never

depart from this house.

Do you remember those words?

Yes.

But that was a long time ago.

[David] You remember the rest
of what God said to me?

-No.
-[David] No?

You were there, with me.

So I will raise up
troubles against you,

within your own house,
He said.

Within your own house.

Because of our
conspiracy, Joab.

That was a long time ago.

Well...

You paid a dear price.

Your firstborn d*ed.

Bathsheba's...

but I gave her

another child, Solomon.

Yes, of course.

He will reign when
I die, of course.

Of course.

It is God's will.

Of course.

God's will...

Of course.

[sighs]

[indistinct chatter]

Please...

close it!

Close!

Close up!

Close!

Close up!

Close.

Close up.

Hey, what's going on?

Haven't you heard?

They are anointing
the new king,

at the Stone Zoheleth.

Food and drink
for everyone.

New king?

Adonijah.

-Adonijah?
-Adonijah!

But, Solomon?

Adonijah, I said!

Long live the king!

Don't you agree?

Long live the king.

Close up!

Close! Close!

Close up!

Long live the king.

Close it!

Close up!

Close, close up.

Close.

Close it.

[music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[music playing]

What do you
have to report?

You will be
shocked to learn.

At the Stone Zoheleth,
this very moment,

Adonijah is being
anointed king.

Abiathar and Joab
anoint him.

-Thank you. God bless you.
-God go with you.

One who was there has
just ridden to tell me.

Mother?

They are preparing to
anoint Adonijah king.

What?

-Who?
-Joab.

The army.

At the altar
of Stone Zoheleth.

One who was there has
just ridden to tell me.

-And King David?
-He knows nothing about it.

They know he is too weak.

I would never
think they'd dare.

You must see
the king at once.

Put the palace guard
on full alert.

Our lives are in danger!

Our lives?

Father will annul it.
Just because Adonijah...

Oh, Solomon!
Stop being so naive!

They'll cease at nothing!

They nearly got the
kingdom in their grasp.

But not while I'm alive.

You're going to be king
in spite of yourself.

Try to be a man!

More...

May the King live forever.

So formal, my love.

Why?

What is it now?

It was always
your promise to me

that Solomon would
be king in your place?

Yes, I made that vow.

Well, today
your son Adonijah

is to be anointed
to be King of Israel.

What?

By whose authority?

With the support
of the army,

and much of the priesthood.

Joab?

Even so.

Joab.

Joab has been loyal
for 30 years!

He betrays you
at this moment.

Nathan? Come closer!

Is... is this all true?

It is, my lord.

He is to make
sacrifices and Abiathar

will pour the holy oil.

They're traveling to the
altar of Stone Zoheleth

at this moment.

The eyes of Israel
are on you to tell them

who shall be their king.

I am their king.

[panting]

And as I swore to
you by the Lord,

the God of Israel,
that your son, Solomon

shall succeed me as king,

so shall I swear today.

Zadok?

Does he remain loyal?

He does, and many
other priests.

-And the palace guard.
-Good.

Nathan, take Zadok...

...and the other loyal priests

and the palace guard.

Have Solomon
ride on a donkey

from my stables,
not a horse,

on my donkey,

and bring him down to Gihon.

And there let
Zadok anoint him

king over all Israel.

This is my will.

[music playing]

My king.

[music playing]

[trumpets heralding]

[horn blowing]

[cheering]

You are a witness
to history, my wife.

Today, God decides who
is to lead His people.

Two men are claiming
the throne, but I, for one,

will follow the choice
of King David.

[cheering]

[trumpets heralding]

Let the High Prince Adonijah

approach to be anointed king.

[man] Solomon
is being crowned king!

Wait.

[man] Stop him!

Stop him!

What is the meaning of this?

Hear me! Wait!

Bring him forward!

Wait! Hear me!

I saw them leave the city!

They are going
to anoint Solomon king!

You lie!

It's not true!

I am anointed by God.

[man] Listen, it's true!

You can see the procession
from that ridge.

Solomon is being
anointed king

by a decree
from King David himself.

I'll show you.

-[Adonijah] Stop!
-Come on!

[Adonijah] Wait!

Stop!

-[man] Come!
-I am your king!

I command you to stop!

[horn blowing]

Look!

I told you!

That is the palace guard.

-And Zadok.
-And Nathan the prophet.

[man] They would act only
on the word of King David.

We've been lied to.

This is no king.

Treason, that's what it is.

I want no part of it.

[horn blowing]

Stop!

Wait!

I am your king.

Appointed by God!

I command you to stop!

Joab!

Stop them!

How?

Use your army!

To do what?

The people fear God more
than they do the army.

Joab!

We lost!

We moved too soon.

Bathsheba b*at us.

Too soon?!

Lost?

You've k*lled us!

Probably.

I think that's not
the only sacrificial blood

that will be shed this day.

What's this?

I will not leave this place.

Go and tell Solomon,

I will not leave this
place till he swears

he will not k*ll me.

Adonijah, come down!

Do as I say!

As you wish, your Majesty.

You have proven your
courage once again,

by delivering yourself
to this court.

As always,
I serve my king.

Not always, Joab.

You k*lled Absalom,
my son.

Because he rose
against you, my lord.

I commanded he be
dealt with gently,

you struck him down.

In a victory for
your armies, my lord.

Now you have
risen against me.

No, my lord, never!

Against these, yes.

But not against my king.

Then bow to your king.

King Solomon!

As long as you live, Father,

there is only one
king in this land.

The penalty for your actions...

...Is death.

Wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait.

My judgment is this...

...while I live, you live.

When I'm dead,

your life is in the hands
of your new king.

You're dismissed
from your command.

You're banished from Jerusalem.

Thank you, my lord.

As always, your judgment
is full of compassion.

Your Majesty...

...I meant you no harm.

What of Adonijah, General?

He clings to the
holy altar, my lord,

hoping for sanctuary.

Why didn't you strike
him down, General?

He is your son, my king.

And now...

...Adonijah.

What of him?

Hmm?

It is as you wish, Father.

He's also my son, Solomon.

I cannot be impartial
in my judgment.

It was you he sought to harm.

You must judge him.

He is guilty of treason.

The penalty is death.

[music playing]

I meant you no harm.

I swear it!

I swear it!

I beg of you,
spare me my life,

for the love you
once bore me!

Solomon!

Solomon!

Our father showed
mercy to Joab,

I shall do no less for you.

If you prove a loyal
and worthy man,

not one of your hairs
shall fall to the ground.

But if treachery
is found in you...

...you shall die.

[indistinct chatter]

[gasps]

My brothers...

...and my people, hear me.

I had planned to
build a house of rest

for the Ark of the
Covenant of the Lord.

But God said to me,

You shall not build
a house for My name,

for you are a warrior,
you have shed blood.

It is your son, Solomon,

who shall build
My house and My courts.

Solomon, my son,

know the God
of your father,

and serve him well,

with a single mind
and willing heart.

For the Lord has chosen you

to build a house...

...as a sanctuary.

Be strong, and obey.

[indistinct chatter]

These are the plans...

...for the vestibules,

treasuries, upper rooms

and inner chambers,

and all that God wishes

for His house,
as given to me.

My son...

is young
and inexperienced,

his task
is great.

As this...

shall not be
a temple for mortals,

but for the Lord.

But I have provided,

as far as I was able.

Bring in...

[crowd murmurs]

Of my God,

I give to my God.

And I ask you

to do the same.

For this shall be
the house of the Lord.

Bless the Lord, our God.

[crowd]
Bless the Lord, our God.

Solomon, Solomon.

Remember, Solomon,

a king must
be strong.

And if someone
bars your way,

he threatens
not just you,

but the good
of the kingdom

as a whole.

You must
cut him down,

like wheat.

Can you do that?

Hmm?

I can, Father.

I should never have
granted the life

of Joab.

He served me well,

but he has served
you badly.

When I'm dead,
k*ll him.

Just k*ll him.
k*ll him.

If he plots
with Adonijah,

k*ll them both.

k*ll them.

You must
now be king,

Solomon.

King!

[music playing]

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

[crowd] King Solomon!

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

Abiathar!

Joab!

So, this is
what you do in exile?

Yes, I've become
a farmer.

Long live
our glorious king!

May he reign
for at least another day!

Come!

Let me offer you
some wine.

Good.

[Joab] There's talk
of Solomon building a temple.

[Abiathar] I've heard so.

I should preside as High Priest

when it's finished.

-[Joab] You may yet.
-[Abiathar] How?

Solomon put that ancient fossil,

Zadok, in my place.

Well, we simply
struck too soon.

We should have known

while David
is still alive.

But our time
will come

the moment he dies.

Solomon, a king.

If I had been
in his place,

we'd both be dead men.

And who will you put
in Solomon's place?

Adonijah,
of course.

Adonijah?

I thought you despised
his cowardice

at the altar.

Even cowards can be useful
at the right moment.

[chuckling]

Did you tell
yourself a joke?

For some reason,

a song keeps coming

into my head.

-A song?
-Yes.

You remember
I once wrote a song

for the Lord on the day
we were delivered

from Saul?

Of course,
everyone knows it.

For the waves of death

encompassed me,

the torrents of perdition
assailed me,

the cords of Sheol
entangled me,

the snares of death

confronted me.

-So?
-We're so dramatic!

Torrents,
snares, waves.

Death is not like that

at all.

It was when we were young.

Yes,

but now, it's whispers,

not waves.

Soft currents,

not torrents.

And very visible inclines,

not snares.

Don't talk
about death.

The decree
from of old is,

thou must surely die!

And kings surely
must have many wives,

but we must not talk
about them.

Like flourishing leaves
on a spreading tree

which sheds some, and...

puts forth others,

so are the generations
of flesh and blood.

One dies, another is born.

Every new creature decays

and ceases to exist.

Talk of death
to your other wives.

I'm only interested in...

your beauty,

and your wealth.

[David] Oh.

Hmm.

[David] Bathsheba,

do you know what I fear
from death...

most of all?

What?

The absence of you.

[music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[music playing]

[horn blowing]

You'll never
have her now.

Joab.

She has status now.

She is no longer
the daughter

of a simple
salt fish dealer.

She was the favorite
of our greatest king.

I know this,
I know this.

And when she's passed
along to Solomon,

he'll have her.

Give me peace, Joab.

[horn blowing]

What do you want me to do?

I want you to be king!

Solomon is king!

Well.

Only till you wrenched

the crown
from his feeble grasp.

David is dead.

That leaves only one power
in the palace.

Bathsheba.

Bathsheba.

But first,
we must show the people

that she no longer
has a firm hand on the throne.

How?

If you could take
Abishag,

David's favorite,

from under the nose
of the new king,

it would show
you're still in the fight.

The people would notice.

She wants me.

I know she does.

Of course, she does,

anyone can see that.

How should we do it?

Simple.

Just ask.

Ask?

Demand.

He'll want
to placate you.

Solomon's weak,

showing you his mercy,

so that you
will join his allies.

And soon
you will have...

Abishag!

...the throne.

[music playing]

Thank you for granting me
this audience.

Do you come in peace?

In peace.

May I speak openly with you?

Go on.

You know,

you know

the kingdom was mine.

And all of Israel
expected me to reign.

But things change.

And the kingdom
has fallen to my brother.

For it was his,

from the Lord.

So now,

I have one request
to make of you.

Please do not refuse me.

Go on.

Please ask Solomon...

King Solomon,

for he will not refuse you,

to give me Abishag
as my wife.

Men.

This is all you want?

Very well.

I will speak to the King.

Adonijah,

the kingdom

was never yours.

It was always,

and will always be...

...mine.

[music playing]

God of my father,

and my father's father,

give me strength and courage

that I may be worthy
of this honorable duty,

and serve you well.

For I am weak...

...and fearful.

Forgive me, father.

I do not deserve your throne,

but now I must be king,

as you commanded.

May the King
live forever!

Oh, mother!

Please take...

bring a chair
for my mother!

The ruler of Israel

bows to no one,

Solomon.

Yes, I can see that.

Come, mother.
Don't be humble,

take your rightful place.

Thank you for putting
me here, mother.

I didn't put
you here, Solomon.

Of course, you did.

But now that I am here,

I will deserve it.

By God
and all His glory,

I will fulfill
the destiny of Israel.

I have a request
to make.

Do not refuse me.

Make your request,
my mother,

for you know that
I will not refuse you.

Give Abishag

to your brother

as his wife.

And why
do you ask this

for Adonijah?

Because he came,

as a request.

I tell you,

so you may know
his mind.

His mind
is to have

the throne.

Good, my son.

And so,
he begins again.

First, he asks
for this maiden,

then next, he will ask
for the kingdom!

For he knows that any show
of weakness on my part

will be a demonstration
of his power.

Joab is near to that.

Now, therefore,
as the Lord lives

who has established me

and placed me
on this throne

of my father, David.

Today,

Adonijah
and Joab...

...must die!

[dogs barking]

[man] Hey!

Come back!

[indistinct chatter]

[horse neighs]

[dogs barking]

Out of my way!

Out of my way!

[man] Move aside!

[music playing]

[man] Traitor!

[man] Get him!

[indistinct chatter]

I was to be king.

But you die
as a traitor.

[music playing]

I ordered you to k*ll him!

But my Lord King,

he's taken sanctuary!

Even now,
he's in the Holy Tabernacle

clinging to the altar!

I don't care

where he is!

Strike him down!

[Benaiah] Joab?

It's by command
of the king.

You are to die.

The king commands
you come out, Joab.

No.

I'll die here.

I beg you, don't make
me k*ll you there.

I would commit
sacrilege.

Which you cannot...

dare not, Benaiah.

I'm not ready to die.

Listen to me!

You know as well as I,
there's not a man in Israel

fit to rule in the place
of King David.

Did you think
I believed Adonijah

could truly be a king?!

He was but a pawn.

The people's favorite,
oh, yes,

but ruler of Israel?

And Solomon,

that weakling?

To rule over God's
chosen people?

No!

Benaiah,

the only real power
to rule

lies in the army.

Only the army
can save our nation.

Let Solomon
remain King, yes,

but grant me my life,

and together
we will have the power.

Israel needs the army,
the army needs me.

You...

...and me.

Together, Benaiah,

we will be
the real power

to guarantee
Israel's glory.

God's glory!

But the King has commanded!

Bathsheba has commanded!

Solomon is too weak!

You know I'm right, Benaiah!

Is the mother's command

greater than the will of God?

Well, my friend,

will you obey the king,

the king's mother,

or your God?

[screams]

Aarrgh!

[Azarel] Mighty King.

I thank you
for your kindnesses to us

and to our daughter.

And what...

I buy a good pearl
when I can,

for my daughter's future,
you understand.

But your bounty

has far outshone
their worth.

Perhaps,
they could be used

in the temple.

They're poor things,
I know,

but I give them to you.

To you, Solomon,

and to the great God
we all serve,

the God of Israel.

I accept them
with pleasure.

And may God keep
you all in His hands.

[Azarel] We go!

[music playing]

Now, will I prepare to build
Your temple, Lord,

here at the altar of Gibeon.

I'll make sacrifices,

cleanse my heart,

and listen.

[wind howling]

[God] Solomon.

Enter, Solomon.

[music playing]

[God] Ask what you will
of Me, Solomon.

I'm only as a child, my Lord.

I do not know
how to go out or come in.

Grant me the wisdom
and knowledge

to righteously rule

this great people of yours.

[God] Because you have
not asked for riches,

or long life,
or the lives of your enemies,

I give you the wisdom of a clear

and discerning mind.

But you must walk in My ways,

keeping My statutes

and My commandments.

[music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[Benaiah] This skirmish
was simply a patrol

to test our strength.

Our scouts confirm
massed forces

just inside
the Egyptian border,

which can mean
only one thing.

The new pharaoh,
Shishak,

prepares to inv*de.

[Solomon] Well,

if we do have a w*r
on our hands.

God be with us.

Jerusalem,

the Egyptian border,

Tyre.

General Benaiah,
I want officers to ride

to every city in Israel
measuring the distance

and the number
of days it takes.

And I want to know the strength
of our army in each city,

foot soldiers,
cavalry, charioteers.

If we must fight,

I want to know
what chance we have.

By royal decree, from today,

the Kingdom of Israel
and Judah will be divided

into 12 provinces.

I will appoint
a governor over each,

who will be responsible
directly to me,

who will administer
law and order,

and who will oversee
the collection of taxes...

[muttering and groaning]

...which from today

will be increased

by one-tenth.

[uproar]

Very impressive,
General Benaiah.

Yes, but they
are few compared

to the legions
of Egypt.

If they inv*de,

there'll be
many widows in Israel.

When the Egyptians
advance,

fall back before them.
Don't fight!

Let thirst and the desert
do our fighting for us.

We can only fall back
so far, my lord,

before we must fight.

Happily we won't have to.

Your king is to be married,

Benaiah!

A wedding!

I'm arranging to marry

the daughter of the pharaoh!

Let's hope she isn't ugly.

[music playing]

[cheering]

No w*r!

Peace through marriage!

Our king
is a brilliant statesman!

Long live the King!

Long live Solomon!

Long live Solomon!

[music playing]

[music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

[cheering]

[music playing]

[birds chirping]

Ah, Nathan!

So,

how is married life?

Very pleasant.

Very pleasant,
indeed.

The pleasures of the body
are not to be missed, Nathan.

I have chosen to concentrate

on God's love, my lord.

Do you really think
He meant you

to deny yourself,
Nathan?

He made us this way,
did He not?

Why would
He not want us

to taste
of the fruit?

God put many things on Earth

we are not to taste, my lord.

If it were not so,

we would not have a free will,

and He would not be God,

but simply the creator
of blind animals.

But I have tasted.

And I like it.

You are allowed,

even required,
my lord.

But I warn you,

be careful
not to give yourself

to any woman,

so that she gains mastery

over your strength.

It may be too late, Nathan.

I'm exhausted!

[Nathan] But I have a matter

of some concern.

-Speak.
-[Nathan] It is rumored

that you're allowing
your Egyptian wife

to build a temple to Amon Ra.

I had to, of course.

It's a political marriage.
It's part of the treaty.

I'm not going to w*r
over one woman's temple

to a foreign god!

It's against God's law.

Does God want w*r, Nathan?

I think not.

What of your other wives?

I haven't got any other wives.

You may eventually
have many wives.

You grant the same
to all of them?

[Solomon] Nathan!

The thought of having many wives

is too terrifying
to contemplate.

I can barely satisfy this one.

Nathan.

I worship
the one true god.

He will understand

even if you will not.

[Zadok] The King
must be aware

that any child
from the daughter

of the Pharaoh
of Egypt

cannot inherit the thrones

of Israel and Judah.

I am perfectly aware

of that, Zadok.

But the council
must also be aware

that there are other reasons
for marriage

than just the begetting
of heirs.

I married
the pharaoh's daughter

to avert w*r
and bloodshed.

-But my lord...
-[Solomon] Zadok,

in future,

be advised
that I will marry

to consolidate my lands

and to promote trade.

I will marry
to insure peace

with my allies,

to discomfort my enemies,

and to please myself.

And I assure you,

that I will marry
to beget heirs

to the throne

when I am ready!

[indistinct chatter]

[music playing]

Is it always like this?

Oh, I find fathers
always survive

the ordeal.

[baby crying]

A boy!

Oh,

a fine Jewish boy.

[Solomon]
I shall call him Rehoboam,

as a sign that the people
of Israel shall multiply.

Mother,

meet the heir
to the throne of David.

Shh.

[Solomon] A boy!

A boy!

The King has a boy!

[murmuring]

[Solomon] The purchaser
of the horse claims

he was not told
of the vicious nature

of the beast.

Yet in the terms
of the contract,

he was perfectly
at liberty to try the animal

before offering payment,

or accepting delivery.

The seller has the right
to remain silent

and let the buyer find
any fault he can.

It is the buyer's fault

if he does not do so.

The buyer
must pay full price.

-[man] Thank you, my lord.
-[man] Thank you, my king.

[Solomon] Zadok, why are there
so many people here today?

There is great interest

in the next case,
my lord.

It came before
the Provincial Governor

of Gilead.

Old Bengeber?

The facts
are simple,

but the case,
very complex.

Your judgment
is eagerly awaited.

[loud thudding]

[Zadok] My Lord King,

the facts
of this case

are well established,

and are not
in dispute.

The two petitioners
share a house

on the outskirts
of Gilead,

where they ply
their trade

as prostitutes.

Some six months ago,

one gave birth,

and shortly thereafter,

the second did likewise.

Both had boy children.

This dispute arose

after one
of the babies d*ed.

You may each
state your case.

You go first,
you lying cow.

Then I'll tell
the truth.

Well,

we each have
our own room.

Are you a citizen
of this country?

Yet you show
no respect

to your king?

Now, rise.

State your name
and the facts

as you see them.

My name is Basemabh.

It was just us
in the house.

Us and our babies.

I'd gone to bed
with little Joachim.

-That's his name.
-Michael!

-Michael is his name!
-Silence!

Me and Joachim

went to sleep.

And I'd given him
a good meal,

and he was
a happy little baby.

Well, that pig must have
rolled on her baby

and k*lled him,

because when I woke up,

there was her baby
beside me,

dead,

and my Joachim was gone.

-Liar!
-Silence!

A mother knows
her own baby!

That is my baby!

Silence!

I'd pick him out
from a thousand!

[indistinct chatter]

[baby crying]

What is your name?

Hannah, my lord.

Tell your story,
Hannah.

It's a pack of lies!

She's clumsy enough
to smother her own child,

and thinks she can get away
with claiming mine!

That's my Michael!

And no woman,

or man

on earth

is going to take him away
from me,

Your Majesty.

That is for the King
to decide.

Was no midwife present?

No, my lord.

Lay the child
on that table.

My judgment is this,

since both women claim
the living child

and neither claim
the dead child,

it is therefore fair

that they should share

the living child.

So, I will cut the child
in half.

[loud indistinct chatter]

Spare my baby!

Don't k*ll him!

She can have him.

God bless this child...

[crowd]
God bless this child.

[Solomon]
...and his children's children.

[crowd]
And his children's children.

And most of all,

his true mother.

[indistinct chatter]

[crowd] Solomon! Solomon!

Solomon! Solomon!

Solomon! Solomon!

Solomon! Solomon!

Solomon! Solomon!

Solomon! Solomon!

Solomon! Solomon!

Solomon! Solomon!

Solomon! Solomon!

[chanting continues]

[Hannah] He spoke
to the crowd and said,

"It is my judgment

that both women

should share the child."

[woman]
This is not wise.

A child cannot have
two mothers.

They will fight
and ruin its childhood.

He took the baby,

laid it on a table,

drew a sword
from a nearby soldier

and what do you think he did?

[woman]
I don't know.

k*lled one
of the mothers?

He raised the sword
over the baby

and declared he was going
to cut it in half!

[woman] Brilliant!

When the real
mother saw he was going

to k*ll the baby,
she ran forward...

[woman] And screamed
for the baby to be saved...

Even if it meant giving
the baby to the other woman!

[woman] Exactly, my queen!

Brilliant!

[music playing]

Back to work. Back to work.

Who is the idiot who is stopping
the men from working--?

Rehoboam, my son...

...I want you to meet the man who is
in charge of all the building...

...of this magnificent temple to God.

The finest architect in the world:

Hiram of Naphtali.

Say, "Rise Hiram of Naphtali.”

Rise, Hiram of Naphtali.

Accept the apology of the idiot...

...who is stopping your men
from working.

Back to work, back to work,
the idiot is leaving.

I am very sorry, Your Majesty.

It is I who should apologize.

I was having too much fun.

Kings are not supposed to have fun.

-All goes well?
-Yes, Your Majesty.

My men work hard
and your people learn fast.

In a year or so,
I shall be able to send

some of my foremen home...

...and they can be
replaced by your men.

-Excellent.
-Some water?

Yes, thank you.

Your Majesty,
may I be permitted a question?

Of course.

This temple,
it will really be for God?

God will live there?

Yes, Hiram, God will live there.

But can God live on earth?

That's an interesting question,
Hiram.

"Can God live on earth?"

Well, even Heaven
cannot contain God...

...much less this house
that you are building.

But God said,
"My name shall be there...

...that you may heed the prayer

your servant
prays towards this place."

I believe God wants us
to have a place to look towards.

A place where we know
he hears our prayers...

So you must do
your best work, Hiram.

God said this house
shall stand forever.

-Forever?
-Forever.

I shall try my best, Your Majesty.

Who will oversee the men of Israel
once your men are departed, Hiram?

Why, I shall, Your Majesty.

Men of Israel don't work well
under foreign leadership.

Don't be offended.
They're a difficult bunch.

Do you have an Israeli working for you
who is industrious and able?

One you can trust?

Jeroboam.

Jeroboam!

Rise.

Hiram of Naphtali says
that you're clever...

...hard-working
and able to lead men.

-This is true, Hiram?
-It is, Your Majesty.

I'm going to take
his recommendation...

...and put you in charge
of all of the laborers,

starting today.

-Yes, Your Majesty.
-Make sure they work hard.

This is God's house you're building.

The temple will need musicians,
of course.

Yes, my lord.

And I want only the very best,
the most skilled.

I want the men
who make the instruments, too.

Yes, my lord.

It will also be a school where all
the arts and sciences are taught.

My children.

Enough. Enough.

Come and show your father
what you have learned.

Come on.

Turn.

Every one of my wives...

Every one of them
says that you are an old lizard...

...and you're not putting
their child in the front row

or heeding their child's
particular talents--

Silence. Watch the dance.

Wives.

I wish I could
cut some of them in half.

You're a fool
to have so many wives.

I ike women, Mother.

Moses said a man
shouldn't acquire many wives...

...or else his heart turns away.

But I'm not a man. I'm a king.

Moses was talking about a king.

No, keep together.

No, no, no. The left foot.

I've told you and told you
and told you.

You do not go beyond that circle
before you start to turn.

Oh, no.

-The queen.
-Oh, no.

-What is she doing?
-Mother.

-Mother.
-What's wrong with her?

David, my love?

No, Mother.

It's your son, Solomon.

Of course.

My mind is wandering...

...ahead of my body.

Solomon...

...do you remember
the psalm David wrote...

...after he sinned with me?

Do good to Zion...

...In your good pleasure.

And rebuild the walls
of Jerusalem...

...and then you will delight
in the right sacrifices...

...burnt offerings.

Then bulls will be offered
on your altar.

Bulls will be offered
on your altar...

...Solomon.

[music playing]

Who's there?

Can I help, Your Majesty?

Did you see me fall?

Fall? No. No, of course not,
Your Majesty.

Of course you saw me fall,
but your diplomacy is appreciated.

Who are you?

Jeroboam, Your Majesty.

-You appointed me over--
-Yes, I remember.

Over the laborers.

Come and help me.

-Is it permitted?
-Of course it isn't permitted.

If the priests catch us,
they'll stone us both.

Now get in here.

Now come and boost me up.

I want to polish the eyes
of the cherubim.

Jeroboam, if the king wishes
to polish the eyes of the cherubim...

...you don't question him.

You help him polish the eyes
of the cherubim, right?

-Yes, of course, Your Majesty.
-Come on.

Come on.

It is one of the duties of the king
to polish the eyes of the cherubim.

Give me your arm.

-Didn't you know that?
-No, Your Majesty.

Oh, yes. A solemn duty.

Then why do you have to sneak
past the priests to do it?

Your king is crazy, Jeroboam.

But only you know this.

Guard the secret with your life.

I'm afraid it's too late,
Your Majesty.

The secret's out.

[music playing]

Arise, O Lord.

Let your enemies be scattered.

Let those that hate thee
flee from before thee.

[music playing]

Praise the Lord God of Israel.

He has kept all his promises
made to the king, my father.

And I in turn have kept my vows
both to God...

...and to my father.

The people of Israel
have built this temple...

...as a dwelling place
for the god most high...

...and as a resting place
for this Holy Ark of the Covenant.

It is fitting that the laws given
to Moses by the Lord God himself...

...should be kept forever
in His house.

Grant, Lord God,
that we keep your laws...

...and please you in all that we do...

...both from this day
and forever more.

I pray you,
look kindly on this place...

...and make it a house of prayer...

...for all nations and all peoples.

[music playing]

[lightning crackling]

[uproar]

[laughing]

[indistinct chatter]

Why downcast?

And on this, of all days.

It is not easy to put into words,
Jeroboam.

If Solomon can't, no one can.

Seven years.

Seven years with one object,
one ambition, one dream.

Now it is finished.

What else is there for me to do?

I have not the wisdom
to answer such a question.

But my answer would be
to continue to serve God.

I told you, he has 16 wives.

Long live King Solomon.

-Abishag.
-Come, let's get some food.

Abishag.

My lord king.

I don't believe it.

Please.
I'd rather no one knew who I was.

-How are you?
-Well, my lord.

And your parents? Are they here?

Of course.

The whole world is here.

Nothing would keep my father away.

My husband, my two children.
We are all here.

You are married?

How wonderful.

Would you honor us
with your presence?

Nothing would give me
more pleasure.

-Where's your tent?
-Here.

Oh, these are fine children.

They're a credit to you both.

I'd love to give them something,
but I brought nothing with me.

Nothing, great one?

Your blessing
would be worth more than gold.

Dear Lord, bless these children.

Keep them safe in your hands.

May you prosper
like your noble grandfather.

And may you be as beautiful
and pure in spirit as your mother.

Lovely children.

Okay, go. Go, go now.

Go, go, go.

Your Majesty, if I may...

...there is one little thing.

Great king.

It's hardly worth mentioning, really.

-The pearls I gave you.
-Of course.

I am glad you asked.

I had them used as the eyes
of the two great cherubim...

...that guard
the Ark of the Covenant.

My pearls are in the temple?

They look down on the Ark of God?

For all time, if God wills it.

Then I have not lived my life
without purpose.

I can go happily to my grave.

Azarel, will you do me a favor?

Anything in my power.

Lend me a horse until dawn.
I want to ride out into the desert.

I have only a donkey outside.

The horses are stabled
some distance away.

A donkey will do.

A donkey?

A king on a donkey?

Kings have ridden on donkeys before,
Azarel, and I'm sure they will again.

Well, then he is yours, magnificence,
for as long as you wish.

Keep him.

Just until dawn.

[Man] But your wives are all ugly.

[Man] What do you mean
my wife is ugly?

[God]
I have heard your prayer, Solomon.

I will grant your wish that I live
in the temple you have built for me.

As for you, if you follow my laws,
as did your father, David...

...then I will be with you
until the end of your days.

But if you turn away from me
and serve other gods but me...

...then I will destroy the temple
that you have built for me.

[music playing]

Who are you?

What are these magnificent beasts?

Where are you going?

Hello?
Hello, may I present myself?

I'm King Solomon,
the king of Israel.

Actually, it's true.

I am the king of Israel.

Where are you going?

To Jerusalem.

Ride ahead and tell your king
that the queen of Sheba is coming.

Thank you.
I'll be sure to tell the king.

[cheering]

Jeroboam,
do you think she is beautiful?

I certainly hope so.

You've asked me that a hundred times
in the last hour.

I am King Solomon
of Israel and Judea.

And I bid you welcome on behalf
of all of my countrymen.

The fame of King Solomon
has spread like a rising tide...

...even as far as Axum and Saba.

I have crossed the desert
for many months...

...to bathe in the ocean
of his wisdom...

...and to see his considerable skills
on a donkey.

I am Makeda, queen of Sheba.

They please you?

Yes, very much. We...

We have no tradition here
of dancers like these.

They're beautiful.

-They are yours.
-Mine?

I brought them for you.

[applause]

A riddle for you, Your Majesty.

How can you see through sand?

You mean across sand?

No, through sand, Your Majesty.

-These are made from sand.
-How?

Heated until it becomes liquid.

Then cooled into thin sheets
with air from the lungs.

What is it called?

"Glass," from Phoenicia.

-Fabric from India.
-Beautiful.

Precious wood.

Also from India.

It smells wonderful.

Peaches, oranges, figs.

Cheese.

Lentil, millet.

Fine herbs.

Salt from the Dead Sea.

Very good in small amounts.

Deer, roebuck, gazelle.

This is game fowl.

Look at those.

This is my favorite.

Fatted goose from Egypt.

Have you ever tasted goose,
Your Majesty?

Never.

Oh, you must try this.

This is the sweetest thing
you have ever tasted.

Sugar cane from the Nile.

Very good.

But not as sweet as my sugar cane.

You've tasted this before?

My country is on the Nile.

It is a very long river, Your Majesty.

We have grown sugar cane
since the beginning of time.

[music playing]

-Is this a shrine to Astarte?
-It is.

How can this be allowed?
You worship your one god.

We're a trading nation.

Merchants come
from all over the world.

If they couldn't worship their gods,
they'd go somewhere else.

How strange.
To put trade before faith?

Now you sound like my priests.

-Something is wrong with the fruit?
-Nothing.

Just an ant.

Just an ant?

You should consider them.

I've learned much
from watching ants.

-You watch the ants?
-Oh, yes, it's fascinating.

We think the lion king among beasts,
but what does he do?

He finds his lair,
he does not build it.

Then he would rather sleep
while his lioness does the hunting.

But the ant builds his own city.

They have their ruler,
their soldiers...

...and they all work together
for the common good.

Oh, we would do well
to study the ants.

But I wish they'd find their own food.

Joseph taught us all
that forgiveness is God's way.

Even if you have been wronged...

...you must look to God to know
what he would have you do.

Now, who remembers
the fourth commandment?

Ready, begin.

Honor your father and mother,
so that your days may be long...

...In the land that the Lord your God
has given you.

Sisi.

Baladona, Hezezia.

Lezia.

Jonan.

Do you know them all by name?

If I forget,
their mothers soon remind me.

And they all worship your God
even though their mothers do not?

Oh, yes, especially my sons.

One day,
I must choose a successor.

-Not the eldest?
-That's not our law.

I was not the eldest
and my father chose me.

And I am certain
that he made the right choice.

He loved my mother
above all his other wives.

So love made you a king.

Well, there are worse ways
of choosing.

A king's heart is a stream of water
in the hands of the Lord.

He turns it wherever he will.

[indistinct chatter]

The waters do not belong to you.

Neither do they belong to you.

They belong to God.

Do I lay claim to the air
you are breathing now?

Is it mine
since it is within my chamber?

You will both lose your share
of the water for one month.

You will not be allowed
to use the water for any purpose.

Perhaps this will remind you to
thank God for what he has given you.

Next case.

The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge.

Keep the Lord's commandments and
teachings as the apple of your eye.

Train your children well
so when old, they will not fail you.

And he who loves discipline
loves knowledge.

He who hates to be rebuked
is stupid.

Also, those who belittle another
lack sense.

And the righteous know the needs
of their animals.

Only the wicked are cruel.

A soft answer turns away wrath.

The beginning of strife
is like a leak of water.

So stop before the argument begins.

And remember...

...the wise man remains silent.

So even fools who keep quiet
can be considered wise.

[laughing]

I have another riddle for you.

What are the eight things
that the Lord hates the most?

Let me see...

Hate, deceit, hypocrisy?

Haughty eyes...

...two.

A lying tongue, three.

Hands that shed innocent blood...

...five.

A heart that devises wicked plans...

...SiX.

Feet that run towards evil...

...eight.

The report that I heard in my own land
of your accomplishments...

...and of your wisdom was true.

Not even half has been told to me.

Blessed be the Lord your God
who has delighted in you...

...and set you
upon the throne of Israel.

And the reports of your beauty
and grace fall far short of the truth.

-Did you swim as a boy?
-Yes, of course.

Do you still swim
now that you're king?

Sadly, never.

Time again.

I called upon God
and the spirit of wisdom came to me.

But in you
there is an understanding...

...clear...

...undefiled, plain.

Loving the thing that is good.

You see as only a woman can.

A mirror to God's goodness.

You are the queen to my king.

I've sought you
ever since I was a youth...

...without knowing
what it was I was seeking.

Solomon, more than anything
else in the world...

...I want to bear you a son.

Then our minds are as one.

More than anything else in the world,
I want to marry you.

Do you imagine
that I haven't thought about it?

Would you give up your kingdom
for me?

Israel is more than a kingdom.

It is a faith.

It has been called by God
to do great things.

Yes...

...I have come to realize that.

Isn't the position already...

...rather crowded?

They are nothing.

You are everything.

Solomon,
I cannot abandon my people forever.

A crown is like a seam of gold.

There are always those who seek it.

One day, I will have to return.

But a boy from you...

...that promises us
a whole year together.

You shall have your year.

And I will...

...be your wife.

Yes, I will.

[music playing]

[applause]

Oh, my love.

How much better are your kisses
than wine.

[music playing]

Oh, my love.

Oh, the scent of your body...

...Is sweeter than all
the spices of the earth.

My lord.

Not now, Jeroboam.
I'm late to meet my queen.

They sent me to speak for them.

Who sent you?

The elders, the officers of the court.

They say we are friends.
They say you will listen to me.

Very well. What is it?

Say it.

The ship of the state
needs someone at the steering oar.

What does that mean, Jeroboam?

There are matters
which demand your attention...

...other than
the queen of Sheba's thighs.

How dare you?

No one speaks to me like that.

Get out. Get out!

Jeroboam.

I apologize.

It is too easy for a king
to avoid criticism.

Say your speech.

Taxes, forced labor.

The people would endure it
while the temple was being built.

The temple is finished.
The taxes should also cease.

You should show yourself
in the provinces.

Popularity is a fickle thing.
It could leave you.

And finally, your crown depends on
the love of the people.

And, may I add, on the love of God.
You have served him well in the past.

But is that a surety for now,
for the future?

Jeroboam, listen to me...

...and listen to me carefully.

I love her...

...above duty, above health.

I choose her over light.

Because the light
that radiates from her never dims.

She is my missing arm. No.

She's my entire body.

She's what I've always wanted
without ever knowing my wants.

She's the breath of God.

Solomon, she's a woman.

Exactly.

Feel.

It's a boy.

I am sure. The way he kicks--

He will be a great athlete.

My love...

...I have something to ask you,
but I am at a loss for words.

You?

The wisest of the wise?

Ask.

If it is a boy...

...I want him to be my heir.

King of Israel and Judea.

But...

...you have promised it
to Rehoboam.

He is to be your heir.

Unless I decide otherwise.

And I do.

Stay here with me.

We will raise a mighty king...

...strong, wise...

...whose voice will be heard
throughout the land...

...proclaiming
the righteousness of the Lord.

I knew it.

A boy.

A boy.

A king.

I shall call you Menelek...

...the chosen one.

Thank you, God.

Thank you.

No! It is out of the question.

It's outrageous that you
could even contemplate such an act.

The throne is mine.

I have a right
to choose my successor.

No, the choice is not yours.

It must be ratified by God,
through the high priest and council.

King David chose me...

...above all his sons,
younger or older.

He chose you, yes.

But you were not made king...

...until anointed
by the High Priest Zadok.

Then and only then
you became king, true?

Yes, yes,
I went through the usual formalities.

"Usual formalities"?

You made one of the most sacred
acts of our faith...

...sound like a blessing
before dinner.

She is not of our faith.

I don't know who she worships,
but it is not the one true god.

She wishes to embrace our faith.

You know the law.

She must be one of us.

Raised and born
in fear of the living God.

[murmuring]

My friend...

...force your will on this
and you will lose your crown.

There would be a revolution.

Well?

The king, may he live forever,
knows the law.

Neither I nor any priest in Israel...

...would dare anoint
the son of the queen of Sheba as heir.

That is the holy law...

...and even kings
must live and die by it.

That is your final word?

It is the holy law.

[murmuring]

Don't ask.

Please. Please stay.

-To join your 700 wives?
-Never.

I am the queen of my country,
my son is the heir.

I have been blinded by my love
for you...

...but now they have let me see.

At first, I was a curiosity.

-Now I am a hated stranger.
-Never hated.

You can rule your people,
Solomon...

...but you cannot command them
to love me...

...OrF Our son.

[music playing]

This city will be a tomb without you.

It was never possible, Solomon.

Never.

But I only began to live
the day that I saw you on that donkey.

"lI am King Solomon. Who are you?"

I am the woman
who will love you forever.

Our son--

Our son will have a crown.

He will rule my kingdom.

And, Solomon...

... want him to rule under your God,
whom I intend to make mine.

When I leave...

...I would like to take some men
learned in your faith...

...to instruct our son.

I will do better than that...

...since he is to be denied his right
to rule here.

You and I will build a new Jerusalem,
a new Israel in your land.

I will send priests, architects
and settlers and soldiers...

...and riches enough
for him to rule in splendor.

Then I will give him another name.

I will call him David,
in honor of your father.

Drop your arms from around me.

No, I cannot. I cannot.

You must.

You must do this for me
or I can never leave.

I cannot. I cannot.

You are the king.

You must do
what God has ordained.

You must give your life
to your country.

You are my life.

And Israel is your country.

She must come first.

Drop your arms from around me...

...and let me go.

[sobbing]

Look at them. More gold.

Six hundred talents of gold,
I've heard tell.

Six hundred?

That's a whole year of taxes
for the entire country.

He's gone mad.

You never know
what a man will do

when he starts thinking
with his groin.

Look at them.

Our finest citizens,
commanded to relocate.

I don't pay taxes
to pour into some hole in Africa.

Why are we still paying
these taxes?

I thought
once the temple was built...

That's why.

What is this?

Gold cups! I want nothing but gold.

Gold.

Good.

Do you know why it is good,
Jeroboam?

Because one man goes deep
into the earth to dig it up...

...another man melts it
to make it pure...

...another shapes it into a cup...

...and another
etches a beautiful design upon it.

Why?

So the king can have the very best,
that is why.

All is vanity.

Solomon--

All things are wearisome,
Jeroboam...

...more than one can express.

The eye is not satisfied
with the seeing...

...the ear is not filled
with the hearing.

Yet there is nothing new
under the sun.

-Solomon.
-I applied my mind...

...to seek and search out wisdom...

...and it is an unhappy business
that God has given human beings...

...for all is vanity.

You have acquired much wisdom,
Solomon.

Much wisdom is much vexation.

Those who increase in knowledge
increase in sorrow.

-That is not true.
-No?

I said to myself, "Come, Solomon.

Make a test of pleasure.
Enjoy yourself."

I searched with my mind how to--

How to cheer my body...

...so that I might see what it was
that mortals should do under heaven...

...In the few days of their lives.

Vanity.

I made great works...

...I have great possessions,
delights of the flesh.

Whatever my eye desires
I did not keep from them.

Vanity.

Solomon,
you are a king to your people.

What happens to the fool
will also happen to the king.

All come from dust,
to dust all shall return.

Why then do I have to be so wise?

-Vanity.
-You gave us the temple, Solomon.

The temple I must leave
to those who come after.

Who knows whether they will be
wise or foolish?

It is not for them, it is for me.

Vanity.

Jeroboam, what do mortals get
from all the toil and strain?

All our days are full of pain.

Even at night our minds do not rest.

This is also vanity.

It is God's will.

Oh, God's will.

Every time a question is asked
that cannot be answered...

...someone always says,
"It is God's will."

I believe God's will
is already written.

Man has nothing to do with it.

There is a season for everything...

...and a time for every purpose
under the heaven.

All God's iron will.

A time to be born, a time to die...

...a time to k*ll, a time to heal,
a time to weep, a time to laugh...

...a time to dance, a time to mourn.

God's will?

Business that God has given
everyone just--

Just to keep them busy.

But we cannot know God.

We cannot find out
what God has done...

...from the beginning to the end.

Because what is
already has been...

...and what is to be already is.

Vanity is all there is.

The more words, the more vanity.

The race is not to the swift...

...nor the battle to the strong
nor bread to the wise...

...nor riches to the intelligent...

...but time and chance
happen to them all.

Mere chance.
Belief otherwise is vanity.

I believe in God.

Jeroboam, remember your creator
in the days of your youth...

...before the days of troubles come...

...for the years draw near,
faster than you think...

...when you will say...

...I have no pleasure.

When strong men are bent...

...the golden bowl is broken...

...and the breath returns to God
who gave it.

Vanity of vanities.

All is vanity.

The king is here. He's here.

Quickly.

Welcome, my husband and king.

Is the great goddess Ashtoreth
answering your prayers?

She doesn't have to answer
our prayers.

She grants us children...

...and cares for the spirits
of our loved ones in the afterlife.

They shine down on us each night.

Make an offering
to the mother of us all.

No, no, no,
I worship the one true god.

Make an offering...

...for the mother of true love
and your children.

For the love you have shown me.

I am deeply divided within myself.

Solomon is my anointed king...

...but I worship the true God...

...and He will be my judge
at my life's end.

That is why I have come.

I have seen with my own eyes...

...our king worshipping
this pagan goddess.

Jeroboam, you're not the first
to tell us of these things.

There has been another ambush.

I know.

The taxes from Ephraim.
Who stole them?

Probably by the very men
who paid those taxes.

Zadok, men are starving,
their families are starving.

They spit the king's name.

Oh, Solomon.

We must convince him
to lift their burden.

I will have an audience with him.

Meanwhile,
keep good watch on him...

...for his own sake...

...and for the whole kingdom.

--fruitful breasts,
who rules over the universe...

...without you,
the river will not open.

Merciful lady, hear us.

Oh, mother of the fruitful breasts...

...who rules over the universe...

...without you, the river will not...

It is written...

...that the children of Israel
should beware...

...of marrying outside the faith.

For those women...

...will turn your heart away
from the one true god.

Much is written. Little is understood.

You make sacrifices to gods...

...that all true believers know
to be obscene and wicked.

Great Solomon, if you persist
in your worship of false gods...

...you will bring God's anger
on your own head...

...and onto all this land
of Israel and Judea.

I study the world.

It is possible to learn
from the false as well as the true.

God has given me the gift of wisdom
and I shall use it as I see fit.

Now, you stick to the tasks that
God and I have given you, Zadok...

...and I will stick to mine.

[indistinct chatter]

Self-righteous fools.

They know the law
and they know you are breaking it.

It was I who was given
the gift of wisdom.

By God himself,
not those doddery old windbags.

They are God's representatives
on earth.

I am God's representative on earth.

I am his anointed.

What business is it of theirs
if I show a tolerance to foreign gods?

Building temples to them
is more than showing tolerance.

What do you know?

You are a laborer.

This laborer thinks you should take
one of your secret walks.

[laughing]

Get her up.

-What's she doing here?
-Over here.

On a hill, not far from my farm.

You can see it from my sheep pens.
An altar to Chemosh.

I keep my woman and kids inside...

...under lock and key
when they're about.

Disgusting. Shouldn't be allowed.

And do you know who I saw up there?
The king himself.

Yes, it's true.

With his fancy women.
All over them, he was.

"Yes, dearest. No, dearest."

They're all over the place,
these altars.

Like a plague of boils.

Let's go and pull it down.

I mean it. Who's going to stop us?

Who would disagree with us?

You fools.

I'm no fool.

All of you. You're all fools.

Israel is surrounded
by goddess worshippers.

Every other country.

And it's not only the king's wives,
is it?

Many other citizens make
secret offerings at those same altars.

There is only one true god.

How do you know?

This is how I know, pagan.

-Hey, what's going on?
-Calm yourself.

Stop it, stop it.

Come on.

He's right, and you know it.

Sidon, you caught your wife
not 10 days ago offering up.

Yes, and I b*at it out of her.

She'll never worship
false gods again.

Hebrews have been worshipping
the goddess Ashtoreth for generations.

Thou shalt have no other god
before me.

Get out. Get out.

Let's make sure.
Let's knock it down.

Get out.

-Thank you.
-Get out.

I believe in only one god.

Always will.

I carry nothing.

You carry a heavy burden of wrongs
against the one true god.

Because you have turned against me
and not kept covenant with me...

...I will tear your kingdom from you
and give it to your servant.

For your father David's sake,
while you live, you shall rule...

...but when you die,
I will divide the kingdom.

I will give your son one tribe,
but the rest will I tear from him.

Thus speaks the Lord, your god.

Leave me alone.

Where are you going?
I will have you if I want you.

And I do want you.

Let me pass.

-What do you think you're doing?
-Leave me alone.

-That's my daughter.
-Do you know who I am?

-What are you doing?
-I'm the son of the king.

-I don't care who you are, nobody--
-Let him go, let him go.

He is who he says he is.

He insulted my daughter.

I don't care who he is.
He has no right.

Give him over to my care.
I will see the king hears of this.

I will see justice done.

I hope you will accept this
as a fair recompense.

Thank you, my lord, you are generous.

But I still think
I'm ruler in my own house--

Leave it to me.
I will see that justice is done.

Solomon,
you must speak with Rehoboam.

He's a disgrace to you.

He's young.
I was just like him at that age.

No. Where you were proud,
he is arrogant.

Where you were wise,
he is opinionated.

Where you used your powers for
the common good, he abuses them.

You cared about the people,
he cares only for himself.

Every generation thinks
their sons and their daughters...

...are worse behaved
than they were.

-It is the way of the world.
-It isn't our sons and daughters.

It's you.

You brought the kingdom
of Israel and Judea to a pinnacle.

-We were the envy of--
-Nothing has changed.

Everything has changed!

You have abandoned God
and God will abandon you.

Zadok warned you on his deathbed.

The priests have warned you.

For all I know,
God himself has warned you.

And still the false gods
defile our landlike the plague.

I would allow no other man
to speak to me like this, Jeroboam.

Then hear me.

It is not too late.

You made me superintendent
of the northern provinces.

There is much anger there.

If they should break away,
it would be the end of everything.

Israel would again be nothing more
than a few wandering tribes.

Then I suggest
you go there to rule them...

...before I do something
I might regret.

Go on. Go.

Yes.

I will go.

But not to the office of your court.

And what does this mean,
Jeroboam?

It means...

...l will not be a part
of your heathen ways.

I am separating myself
from your government...

...as you have separated yourself
from the one true god.

Rebellion?

Is this rebellion from the man
I raised from a common laborer?

Call it what you like.

I cannot follow a king
who does not follow his god.

I will follow any god I wish.

I learn from other gods.

And I will rule as my mind
and my heart tell me.

And I shall do it all without
the pandering cretins of the court.

Do you hear me?

Jeroboam.

Come, eat.

I've been waiting for you.

You know my name?

Who are you?

Did the king send you?

Not the king you mean.

I am Ahijah from Shiloh.

I serve our God...

...as I know you do also.

Some say I'm a prophet.

-And are you?
-Perhaps.

Perhaps I hear God more clearly
than most.

I have a message for you.

This is strong new cloth.

Have you a Kn*fe?

Good. Come.

These 12 pieces of my cloak
represent the 12 tribes of Israel.

This is God's word to you.

Solomon has broken his laws
and worshiped false gods.

You have not.

So thus speaks the god of Israel.

He will take the kingdom away
from Solomon's son, Rehoboam...

...and give it to you.

That is the 10 tribes.

Now, he will give the tribe of Judea
to Rehoboam...

...so that his servant David will always
have a lamp before him in Jerusalem.

Do you understand?

Good.

Then I must be on my way.

Keep God's law...

...and he will keep faith with you.
Come.

Come.

Where are you going?

To deliver
the last two pieces of my cloak.

Come.

God would do this?

I am simply his messenger.

I should have you k*lled.

I know it is sometimes the custom...

...to k*ll the messenger
who bears bad news...

...but the messenger from God?

I would think carefully.

Guard. Guard.

Start a search.
I want Jeroboam found and k*lled.

He must not escape.

A thousand measures of gold...

...to the man who brings me back
his body.

Oh, Lord, Lord, Lord.

Oh, Lord.

[music playing]

A gift from Ahijah, the Shilonite.

Keep that too.

Now ride for Egypt.
Your life is in grave danger.

Stay there until you hear
that Solomon is dead.

Ride for your life.

Where is my son?

Where is Rehoboam?

Rehoboam...

...my days draw to an end.

And I have been a fool.

Listen to me, my son. Listen to me.

Fear God
and keep his commandments.

I understand you, Father.

Deal...

Deal wisely with the tribes.

Don't worry, Father.

I know how to deal with them.

No.

No.

No.

[music playing]

[indistinct chatter]

Well?

I've come to be anointed
as your king.

Have you lost your tongues?

[cheering]

You.

Your father broke God's holy law.

And his punishment
has fallen on his people.

They groaned
under Solomon's taxes.

They bled under the lash
of his forced labor.

They will tolerate these things
no longer.

Yes.

They want your word
there will be no more forced labor...

...and the taxes will be fair.

-Yes.
-Yeah.

Otherwise,
they refuse to become your subjects.

They refuse?

I will discuss these matters
with my council.

We meet again in three days.

I beg you, my lord.

Consider carefully.

Your noble father
always preferred peace to w*r.

Of all wars that can be waged...

...the worst, the most bloody,
is a civil w*r.

It would be the end of the kingdom.

Yes.

You are king.

Any sign of weakness...

If you give way to their demands...

...they will walk over you
like cattle over a meadow.

I say stand firm.

Why listen to these old graybeards?

I have heard
the young men of Judea.

They acknowledge me king.

As for you...

...you thought my father's yoke
was heavy?

Wait until you feel mine.

You thought my father's taxes
too high?

Mine will crush you.

How dare you speak out
against your lawful king?

My father chastised you with whips.

I shall use scorpions.

I am your king.

This finger is thicker
than my father's thigh.

That is your final word?

I have nothing more to say.

So be it.

You have heard your king.

Will you serve him?

-No.
-No.

Then we are no longer one nation.

The prophecy was true.

The glory of Solomon
is gone forever.

[Narrator]
The prophecy was indeed true.

Jeroboam ruled the 10 tribes
of Israel.

Only the tribe of Judea
remained loyal to Rehoboam.

But Solomon's prayer
was answered.

For 360 years,
the temple remained a place...

...where God and his people
would come together...

...where he would hearken
to the prayers of mankind...

...and forgive.