David Page #7

The man wants you

to judge him, my lord king.

He was burning the tents

outside the city gates...

... and trying to drain our water supply.

Who on earth would do

such a stupid thing?

Bring him in.

Well?

I can only ask forgiveness

and understanding...

... in the words of a prayer

my father made.

May I speak my father's words?

Go ahead.

"Deliver me from blood-guiltiness,

O my God...

... and my tongue shall sing aloud

of thy righteousness.

Create in me a clean heart...

... and renew a right spirit within me. "

Those are my words.

He's not our child.

But he is my son, precious to me.

"Behold, I will raise up evil

from thine house. "

How easily you forget

the prophet's message.

I know what you're thinking.

You think that with Absalom

permanently in disgrace...

... my favor would fall on Solomon.

I am not planning the succession, David.

Simply consider this.

Absalom has already shed

his own brother's blood.

- What is he capable of next?

- He's my son!

Promises between men.

Or contracts between merchants

or treaties between nations.

These can be broken

if advantage demands it.

But the covenant between

a father and a son can never end.

No matter what Absalom did,

I can never stop being his father.

If he does something wrong,

it is because I failed to teach him.

He is mine, as you are mine.

As I am God's.

May I ask you a frank question,

my lord prince?

Please.

If you were king...

... would you have judged

the actions of Amnon...

... and your own deeds

as lightly as David did?

David faces the law

and the commands of his heart...

... and always finds a way

to disobey the law.

You...

... chose the law over your own blood.

That tells me you are strong enough...

... to properly lead the nation.

Don't speak any more of these things...

... Aphitophel.

These words are already written

in your own heart.

It is because of David's mercy

that I am alive at this moment.

If the roles had been reversed...

... you would have been strong enough

to order your son's punishment.

That is something you have never

forgiven your father for.

For that weakness...

... he calls mercy.

What if all you say is true,

what then?

Watch the elders of the tribes

and the army.

How they view your father.

There's an opportunity for you

if you only seize it.

With the gold we lavish on David...

... there's no money left for food.

It would be one thing

if we could see an end to the sacrifice.

But with your father,

there is no reasoning.

There was a time...

... when being a member

of David's army...

... meant respect.

He even shortchanges us

to pay for his temple now.

The Assyrians and Moabites

are taking ground from us every day.

- Something has to be done.

- Yes, but what?

The men can't take it anymore.

I know, but the longer we stand here

and wait and do nothing...

... the worse the situation gets.

You may answer

this question honestly.

If Israel had a new ruler...

: : :a younger man

who would rebuild the army...

... who would let the villagers

keep more of their wealth...

... would you men...

... support him?

How badly do we stand with the army?

Nearly two-thirds of the soldiers on foot

in the Southern part...

... have gone over to Absalom.

Half of the farmers of the villages

hereabouts have gone over to him as well.

And in the north?

The tribes of Israel

on the other side of the Jordan?

Reports of their loyalty

are still unconfirmed.

Aphitophel has guided Absalom brilliantly.

Am I correct that here in Jerusalem

is where we're at our most vulnerable?

Yes, my lord.

If we were Philistines

or Egyptians, Joab...

... now would be the perfect time

for us to take poison.

What do you think, Nathan?

Do you think God loves Absalom enough

to see him take my life and my crown?

I do not, my lord king.

God wants you to survive.

You're like a lamp for his people.

We will not defend Jerusalem.

You will not defend Jerusalem?

Absalom has a superior fighting force.

I've spent 15 years,

the best years of my life...

... building this city

into the capital of the nation.

I'm not gonna let all I've accomplished

get burned...

... in a few days of bloody fighting.

That's one sin against God

I know at least not to commit.

So, what do you propose?

We head for the north.

Find those men who are loyal

to David and Joab, if there are any.

We will not sacrifice Jerusalem

for these troubles.

I fear...

... for those who must stay...

... and face the generosity...

... of Absalom.

You don't need to tell me

that you warned me about him.

I remember that.

You've been right about

almost everything, Bathsheba.

From the very first moment

you entered this palace.

And you may very well ask...

... if I knew...

... all the punishments...

... that were gonna be heaped upon us...

... would I still have gone toward you?

It is a question better not asked.

I love you.

I love you too.

I'm sorry.

So sorry for your city.

Keep not thy silence, O God.

Hold not thy peace and be not still.

Thine enemies make a tumult.

They that hate thee

have lifted their heads.

They have taken crafty counsel

against thy people.

They have said, "Come, let us

cut them off from their nation...

... that the name of Israel

may be no more in remembrance. "

Fill their faces with shame

that they may seek thy name, O Lord.

Fill their faces with shame.

David.

David.

My tribe of Gittite people

wish to join you.

My road is long and hard, lttai.

You and your people will be safe here.

You've only lived here a short time.

And if you remain,

you will continue to have my blessing.

We are your servants.

But we have sworn an oath

to your kingdom.

And the kingdom of David...

... is wherever David is.

Thank you, lttai.

I am glad of your support.

Zadok, the Ark must remain

in the city.

But, my lord king...

... it cannot fall into Absalom's hands.

If I find favor with God...

... I will return to Jerusalem

and see the Ark again.

If not...

... it will offer me no protection

against Absalom.

Nathan?

You're right, my lord king.

The Ark must remain.

Bahurim.

Maybe we'll find someone

who sympathizes with us up there.

Let's go on ahead.

Go away!

Get out of here! We curse you!

Why do you throw stones at us?

If you hate us, why don't you join

Absalom in Jerusalem?

I am Shimei, the Benjamite.

Nephew of Abner and Jonathan.

And we curse both David

and his son Absalom.

You have Saul's blood on your hands.

You have stolen his kingdom

like a thief.

And if your son turns on you

like a thief as well...

... then God is just.

And you are a bloody man.

Now turn away.

You'll find nowhere to hide

here in Bahurim.

Order me, my lord king...

... to take a few guards into Bahurim

and pay Shimei a visit.

Why should we let that dead dog

curse you and live another day?

Let me go over there

and take off his head.

No doubt he too thinks

he has God's blessing.

It seems as though a lot of men thrive

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