01x05 - The Wolf and the Lion

[bunniefuu]

[Mirab] Previously
on House of David…

There is power in you.

This royal visit
is a distraction.

Your brother
defiled my daughter.

You must marry her or
be stoned to death.

- What is this?
- It is a summons.

- For David.
- I will see you again.

- Protect him.
- [Mychal] I made this for you.

It says David.

My queen, why is he here?

I am anxious to hear you play.

There's a new plan to take power
that comes from the tribe of Judah.

David…

[David singing in Hebrew]

[singing continues]

[horse galloping]

[patrons chattering, laughing]

Adriel.

Ah.

[Abner] How is the tribe?

The tribe of Judah is content.

My sons are getting
better with a sword.

Yet they are much more
skilled at driving me mad.

[chuckles]

I found it interesting being
in the fortress last season.

To present the leader of
Israel, Hashem's chosen king,

surrounded by carvings
of pagan gods.

Oof.

Faces we have
etched off the walls

as we make a Philistine
stronghold our home.

I could not live there.

And yet you wish you could.

Don't think it went unnoticed.

And do you suppose
it went unnoticed,

you parading me before the ailing king
as a convenient show of support? Huh?

Your loyalty is something
that he greatly appreciates.

[chuckles] Well, as the
largest tribe of Israel,

I'm sure he does.

I'm quite curious of the manner in which
Samuel attended the celebration feast.

And since the day he butchered
the Amalekite king before us all,

he has traveled to many places
for reasons cloaked in mystery.

Have you seen him in your land?

Ah. Interesting.

So this is of concern to you.

Yes, yes. He came
and made sacrifices.

With who?

Abner, information is surely
a currency of its own.

I would need certain assurances.

Hmm.

And what do you have
in mind this time? Hmm?

[clears throat]

Alert the queen of my return.

[Ahinoam] What else did he say?

Nothing that he would share.

But surely, if Samuel
has anointed another,

the tribe of Judah will
change allegiance accordingly.

Adriel remains loyal, because
it benefits him to be so,

- for now.
- [sighs]

But the seer's presence alone,
makes him smell opportunity.

We need to put a stop to this.

I suggest we consider a reminder of
God's sovereignty across the kingdom.

A show of force?

My queen, forgive me but
that is not the answer.

The people need a display of some kind
that points to the king's strength.

This is not your place to speak.

You have no reason
to fear me, Abner.

Trust me, this is not fear.

[Ahinoam] No, she's right.

The glory of victory fades.

We need another distraction
to capture hearts and minds.

And what's that?

Love.

[scoffs]

A union.

Respect for the king
come from the eyes.

Be sure all metals shine.

Yes, my queen.

Bigger.

Everything must be ready
when our guests arrive.

[servant] Yes, my queen.

[Ahinoam] Are they not done?

[servant] They're nearly
finished, my queen.

Good.

"In those days,
Israel had no king."

[Mychal] Mm-hmm.

Okay. This wasn't long ago?

Just before you were born, yes.

Ah. How does it feel to be
the first princess of Israel?

The first of everything royal.

It's a privilege.

And yet, there's
more you want to say.

Mmm.

Secrets are heavy, David.

[grunts] Do you have any?

None of consequence.

Mmm. Mine is that sometimes I-I
want none of this. [chuckles]

Not this life.

Nor the demands
that come with it.

I think of your
village, where we met.

[chuckles]

Perhaps there I could
be just another girl.

You'll never be
just another girl.

[sighs, chuckles]

After all this time, you are
still so mysterious, David.

I know nothing about you.

Except because of you,
my father smiles again.

No. It is because of you.

When you enter the
room, his mood lifts.

I see it with my own eyes.

- And what else do you see…
- [chuckles]

…when you look at me?

I see…

I see the stars. All of them.

And the sea.

I see kindness and
grace and wisdom.

You are a poet, aren't you?

I do have secrets.

Heavy ones.

But you can tell me.

[door unlocking]

What is this?

Uh. I…

I've been teaching him to read.

Get to your chamber.

Kezia has prepared a dress for
you. And please braid your hair.

Then your father and
I want to talk to you.

Yes, Mother.

I do not wish to see you alone
with my daughter ever again.

Know who you are.

I know who I am.

[Ahinoam] Your sole purpose
is to comfort the king.

Today, he needs you to play
better than ever before.

Could you do that for him?

Yes.

Reuben, you were
supposed to keep watch.

[chuckles]

[Saul] My scepter. Where is it?

[Besai] This is all I
can do without sorcery,

but the tincture I
gave him is strong.

[Saul speaks indistinctly]
…should respect my things.

[speaks indistinctly] …disappeared.
I put it down somewhere here.

It will take him a
moment to settle.

- I trust that he will.
- [Saul growls, speaks indistinctly]

It is by the fire, my love.

Remember?

[sighs] I do not trust magic.

I know.

And I do not trust Adriel.

He is a frustrating soul.

He gossips behind my back.

And he interrupts me.

He is a fool.

But a powerful fool.

And he is the leader
of the largest tribe.

A marriage secures
their loyalty.

Help me with this.

Do you love it?

I do.

More than anything
you've ever given me.

[kisses]

Are we fools to welcome
him into our home?

No.

This must be done.

Show Adriel your strength.

Don't let him shake you.

I will be at your
side the whole time.

[Mychal] Father?

You wanted to see me.

Amazing.

What?

[Saul breathing heavily]

You look like a queen.

We have something
we want to tell you.

[David] Eliab. Welcome back.

Glad to see you are still alive.

Well, so much has happened
since you've been gone.

I hope not.

What more do you need to see, Joab?
Ten more border villages attacked?

- [Joab speaks indistinctly]
- What of the border villages?

More destroyed. More
questions as to how.

Reuben says he sees
giants in his dreams.

Who?

The boy from the village.

Ah.

[Jonathan] Are you ready to be pounced
on by the five terrors of Adriel?

[Mirab] Just need
to entertain them.

They're not all that bad.

[Jonathan] You all right?

[staff clangs]

King Saul of Israel.
And his royal family.

[gentle music playing]

I present Adriel,
son of Barzillai.

Leader of the great
tribe of Judah.

His wife Tamar.

And his sons, Amos, Hezekiah,
Phineas, Simeon and Jordan.

[Adriel] Saul.
Our glorious king.

My family and I have
traveled for many days.

But it has not
been without peril.

A wheel broke, one horse died, and
lightning nearly struck us twice.

- Twice! [chuckles]
- [laughs]

Too bad the lightning missed.

It has been far too long since
our families shared a meal.

Indeed, Saul.

It is an honor.

And I am grateful you are
feeling well enough for guests.

Ah, Adriel.

You are a highly respected leader
of one of our greatest tribes.

You have fought for this kingdom

since Samuel first put
the crown on my head.

And your sons
fight for me still.

The time has come, at long last,

for our families to unite.

Benjamin and Judah.

The wolf and the lion.

Today I offer up my
daughter in marriage.

[guests gasp, murmur]

[guests applauding]

A royal union between my daughter,
Mychal, and one of your sons.

My king.

[Ahinoam] Let us celebrate.

[guests cheering]

Shepherd. Play.

I chased the
Amalekite up the hill

and cut the beast from throat
to navel and back again.

[Hezekiah] That is
a good story, Amos,

but what about when I cut
off the fingers of the...

- Ah, not this story again.
- Be still.

- No, no, no. You do not...
- [Hezekiah] You got sick in a bush.

Uh-uh. Sick?

- You are soft when it comes to fingers.
- [Amos] You are boys.

[Mychal] My brother spoke
of the moonless night

you ambushed and captured
one of their leaders.

Please tell me more of your
heroics. I find it so inspiring.

I've heard you have recently been
bedridden with a mysterious illness.

Mmm. Yes. I was ill.

[Adriel] Hmm.

I'm only human. Anointed
by God, but human.

- Hmm.
- [Abner] My king.

- Excuse me.
- [Adriel] Mmm.

Excuse me. I'm going to
get… [speaks indistinctly]

- [Amos] Look what you did.
- You did it.

Princess. Mychal.

- [chuckles]
- [Adriel] Mychal.

[sighs] Ah.

Such a momentous moment
for such a young woman.

- [chuckles]
- You must feel honored.

Of course. I've, uh, waited
my whole life for this moment.

Hmm.

My dear, you are
quite, quite lovely.

[Abner] My king. The
princess needs reinforcement.

You know if, uh, if
my wife were dead,

I would marry you
myself and, uh,

oh, wake up every day
a happy man. Please...

[Saul] Adriel.

If you take my daughter's time,

how would she acquaint
herself with your boys?

Shall we, uh… Shall we
discuss the terms, my king?

I trust you will be generous
and my loyalty will be rewarded.

I don't buy loyalty, Adriel.

- Mmm.
- Certainly not with my daughter.

Surely there's a
family more fitting.

Look at his sons.

Useless, entitled fools.

Barely a warrior among them.

I do not see how this
benefits the royal family.

It's not your place
to see or not see.

It is because the
king commanded it.

Your interest in the princess
ends here. Understood?

Besides, those are not the sons
of Judah you need to worry about.

Mychal.

Mychal.

Are you mad?

Are you? You cannot
go through with this.

I have no choice. Now
go, before someone sees.

Please tell your father
you don't want this.

This is my life, David. It was
always going to be this way.

You deserve so much better. There
must be something we can do.

We?

David, we are who we are.
Nothing can change that.

I have a duty.

And so do you. Now play.

[sighs]

[Eliab] No, David,
do not follow her.

You get back in there
and you play your music.

- I have to tell her.
- Tell her what?

The truth. Who I really am,
that I'm anointed, that I'm...

[shushes] You will not… [pants]

You will not speak a word.

I cannot keep lying to her.

Well then you will
not survive the day.

Eliab, if I become a part of the
family, there will be no bloodshed.

Don't you see?

But I have to tell her
now before she's married.

David, kings protect bloodlines
and eliminate threats.

All of our lives
are at stake here.

You are not my only brother.

Do not make me choose
between them and you.

Now you go back out there
and you play your music.

All right.

Please, you're too kind.

[Jordan] It looks far
more merry back here.

Princess Mirab.

How does it feel being
the other princess?

The first, actually.

What brother are you?

The unimportant one. Jordan.

- Jordan.
- Mmm.

Have you given up on
impressing my sister already?

[chuckles] It was
never going to be me.

I'm the middle son.
Always forgotten.

I'm the rebellious
disappointment.

To being no one's favorite.

[chuckles]

At this moment Amos speaks to
your sister of his giant sword.

The most impressive
in all Israel.

And then my brothers will
chime in about their swords.

Until they all offer to
unsheathe them and compare.

[chuckles]

And my sister will nod
along, encouragingly.

She will be the perfect
polite princess.

And all your brothers will
think they are winning.

And then one of them will.

And she will be trapped forever.

[Jordan] Mmm.

Lovely.

[chuckles]

So, are you going to let
your father sell you off

to the son of any
rich tribal leader?

Why not? They are all the same.

Some slightly more
handsome than others.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

[Jordan] You are strange.

You're strange.

Exactly.

[chuckles]

Come.

What about one of the sacred texts
for me to take home to Judah?

I don't think
traveling across...

"The scepter will not
depart from Judah."

Ah. [inhales sharply]

That speech. Those words.
The start of it all.

Jacob's blessing
for our children

- so that they may remember their legacy.
- [Mirab chatters]

I know where to go.

[sighs]

[Agag, distorted] The
lion will turn on you.

Listen to his words.

For sure. For sure. For sure.

[Agag] Usurper.

The dying father to his 12 sons
many, many generations ago,

- would be so cherished…
- [Agag] Time of Judah has come.

So, uh, my king, if I could just
be gifted that, uh, one scroll.

[Agag] Saul, k*ll the lion.

Saul, uh, a-are you well?

[harp playing]

[Adriel] Perhaps you have not fully
recovered your strength after all.

[growls]

[Adriel sighs, stammers]

You know, maybe this discussion
is too much for you right now.

- [coughs]
- [Adriel] If you are in a weakened state…

It would not be wise to
split up the sacred texts.

It would also not be wise to
split the kingdom. Agreed?

What is it you
really want, Adriel?

I tire of these games.

Beg me for one more thing,
and maybe I will give it.

A permanent seat
on your council.

My king, there is no better way
for me to serve your interests

than to be chief
among the elders.

Done. We will finalize
the terms later.

Now let us drink and
celebrate our children.

[Adriel] Yes. [chuckles]

Yes. I'll be back.

- [Tamar] Yes.
- Forgive me for a minute.

I am with you.

By your side. The whole time.

Is it done?

That man is a jackal.

Soon he will be your jackal.

I have an idea.

Shepherd, get ready to
play something lively.

Get the girls ready.

Yes. Thank you.

Your father needs your help.

Show him that you are
the jewel in his crown.

[inhales sharply]

The love between
you and the queen.

It's beautiful to witness.

I knew from the
moment I met her.

Oh, to marry for love.

To have that choice.

What a thing of value.

You have been watching closely.

Which of Adriel's
sons would you choose?

None of them.

Oh.

She should marry me.

[laughing]

You are a funny one,
shepherd. [laughing]

Wonderful. Beautiful.

- You spilled olive oil on my dress.
- Watch her dance.

She hates doing this
dance. [chuckles]

[speaks indistinctly, chuckles]

Everyone. I have
an announcement.

After long consideration…

I am so proud of you.

I have decided that this marriage,
rare and beautiful as it is,

will be between my
lovely daughter Mirab…

and… and…

- That one.
- Jordan.

Mirab and Jordan.

May God bless them
in this holy union.

Well. Yes, I suppose one
is as good as the other.

To the happy couple.

[all cheering]

Mychal.

Is this a trick?

I don't know. I think
we should smile.

She is unpredictable.
Are you sure?

I am sure.

[Mirab] Thank you.

Are you happy with this?

If the king wills it then
who am I to say no? Right?

- [chuckles]
- [chuckles, sighs]

[exhales deeply]

[sighs]

Um…

[door opens]

[guests laughing, chattering]

- Go. You have to go. David. David.
- Please. Please.

You have to go. Go.

You're full of surprises today.

I was the surprised one.

To look across the hall,

see you with a man, happy.

Laughing.

Like when you were a
little girl. [sighs]

I did not think you still
cared about my happiness.

How could you say that?

It is no secret Mychal
is your favorite.

She is your light. Hmm.

I understand.

She always acts
exactly as she should.

And you act as you wish.

Just like your mother.

Mirab.

You are my first daughter.

And despite appearances,

I'm always thinking
of your happiness.

Always.

You will keep
Adriel on his toes.

The house of Saul
will not be divided.

You have my word.

- [grunting, panting]
- [Joab grunts]

Look down, David.

You see the bones
and ragged clothes?

You wouldn't be the first man dropped
here for defying the house of Saul.

You really thought you
could come to this palace,

play a few songs and corrupt
the princess like that?

You brought me here, at
the order of the king!

To comfort him, not to
corrupt his daughter.

Every moment I've spent with the
princess has been at her request, Cousin!

You've been a plague on our
family's name since your birth

and your brother has
been too soft on you.

- Let me teach you a lesson.
- [grunting, panting]

From this moment on, you do
not meet with the princess,

you do not look at the princess,
and you don't even think of her.

- Am I clear, b*stard?
- [grunts, panting]

Swear it! Or I drop you now.

Try it.

What?

I have a purpose here, Joab.

God has shown me this.

A destiny.

Do you know yours?

[pants]

[grunts]

[David grunts]

Your father gave
you a gift today.

But make no mistake,
you will marry soon.

I know.

The reputation of our
family is being questioned.

The last thing we need is rumors of
you chasing about a shepherd boy.

People see things
and they whisper.

And what if he is a shepherd?

Father was a poor donkey herder.

Your father is the anointed one.

Not when you married him.

I am a daughter of a farmer.

You are a daughter of a king.

Do you even know
who this boy is?

Yes. I do.

He's…

He's humble.

[sniffs] And
passionate and brave.

[inhales sharply]

He sees me as more
than a trophy.

And he has a name. [sniffs]

David. [chuckles]

And do you know why David
lives all alone on a hill?

Because he's a b*stard.

An outcast.

Shamed wherever he goes.

This boy captured your
heart. I understand.

But a year from now you will
have forgotten his name.

But the damage done to this
house could last generations.

[sighs]

Be proud.

For when you do marry,

your union will be much greater
than this fleeting romance.

It will serve to protect
your family and this kingdom.

You see, my love,
the boy is right.

You are not a trophy.

You are a shield.

Reuben. Where have you been?

Why do you carry so many
things? Let me help you.

[strains, groans]

Palace have you
working all night?

I like to work.

No nightmares if I stay awake.

I understand.

Will the giants attack us again?

The one from my dreams.

Never.

I'll protect you.

Promise.

You're too small.

[Adriel] To the king of Israel

and this happy
union of our houses.

I will serve faithfully as your
adviser, chief of the elders of Israel.

Before you return, I would
like to make a toast.

To Mirab…

my passionate one.

May your new
husband protect you,

inspire you,

and always remind
you who you are.

[inhales sharply]

And to Adriel,

I'm so proud to join
our families together.

As a gift I have
brought this scroll.

I have had our chief scribe find
the blessing of Jacob to his sons.

Sacred words.

This is the most precious
thing I've ever held.

May I read Jacob's
blessing for our children

so that they may
remember their legacy?

[groans, chuckles]

Um… [inhales sharply]

Before I read these
miraculous words,

I'd like to make a toast
and say I am truly...

Adriel, just read the scroll.

[guests chuckling]

[clears throat]

"And Israel called
for his sons and said,

'Gather around so I can tell you what
will happen to you in days to come.'

And Israel said…"

[Agag] Saul,

you will lose it all.

Silence.

- [Agag] He will steal it from you.
- [speaks indistinctly] "'Judah…'"

[Agag] The lion
will turn on you.

Do you not hear him?

[Adriel] "'…your
brothers will praise you.

Your hand will be on the
neck of your enemies.'"

[Agag] Do you not see?

[Agag] Usurper. Thief.

"'The scepter will not
depart from Judah…'"

Listen to his words.

"'…nor the ruler's staff
from between his feet…'"

Time of Judah has come.

"'…until he to whom it
belongs shall come…"

- The lion will rule!
- "'…and the obedience…'"

Stop!

I have not finished
the blessing.

I will finish it.

"Benjamin is a ravenous wolf.

In the morning he
devours the prey.

- In the evening he divides the plunder."
- [chuckles] My king,

y-you have a good memory.

I see you, Adriel.

I know why you have come.

What do you mean?

You have been planning
the takeover of my throne

since the first moment.

- You have come...
- My king.

That is not true.

All I want to do is serve you, and
you bring me here to insult me?

- Liar. Every word you say is false.
- Saul.

- This offer of marriage is over.
- [Ahinoam] No, Saul.

- Our houses will not be joined.
- Saul.

Saul, you are tired. Let's
discuss this in the morning.

- Do not pacify me, woman!
- [guests gasping, clamoring]

- I'm your king! [growls]
- [Ahinoam screams]

Your sons will never be good
enough for my daughters.

And your greedy hands
will not touch my throne.

- Never.
- It's true what they say.

You have gone mad.

Get out of my house!

Get out of my house!

- Out! Out!
- [Adriel] Out before he slaughters us all!

- My sons!
- [Saul growling]

[guests gasping]

Never touch my throne.

[whimpers, gasps]

Mirab.

- I'm… I'm so sorry.
- [inhales sharply]

This family is a curse.

It's a curse. [sobbing]

[sniffles, sighs]

[Agag] The lion
will turn on you.

[mumbling indistinctly]

[mumbling] Stay away from me.

Stay away.

[doors opens]

[mumbling continues]

Why do these demons
still haunt him?

Can you not help him?

His soul is at w*r.

He needs stronger forces to
heal him and you have caged me.

What if you had
absolute freedom?

- I would use dark magic…
- No.

- …sorcery…
- No.

…to create a tincture so potent it
would shake the evil from deep within…

- No.
- …and set his soul free.

He doesn't believe
in dark magic.

Your husband is clouded by forces
darker than I've ever seen.

He's the one who
cannot be trusted.

[Saul moans]

The law forbids it.

He will not change the law.

Without the king's seal
it remains forbidden.

The king is in a deep sleep.

It will be wise not to wait.

If he will not change the law…

perhaps you will have to.

[Saul breathing shakily]

[breathes shakily]

Shepherd?

Forgive me, my king.

I couldn't sleep.

[chuckles] Neither could I.

Look at this.

This palace was once a Philistine
fortress before we conquered it.

So now we're carving out the
faces of their kings and gods,

until we make
carvings of our own.

Every new era comes
and ships away the old.

So I wonder what will
be remembered of me.

I believe the name of
Saul will never die.

[Saul chuckles]

My family think I made
a horrible mistake.

Mirab will never forgive me.

[inhales deeply] But I could feel
it slipping through my fingers,

everything I have bled for.

Ripped from me by who?

Adriel of the Judah.

My family think I'm going mad.

But that jackal wanted my throne,
and isn't worthy to sit upon it.

This chair that every
man dreams about.

It changes you, sitting there.

To be king is to
be misunderstood.

To be anointed,

not by your own choice.

I only wish it didn't
hurt my family so deeply.

They will forgive you.

I've seen how they care for you.

Do you wanna sit?

See what it feels like?

That is for the Lord's anointed.

[Saul sighs]

I should go to bed to rest
before the wrath of tomorrow.

I will walk with you.

No, I can make it.