David Page #8

on hating me at the moment.

The Benjamites at least

have some reason.

Compared with Absalom,

who is my own flesh and blood.

Let Shimei and his men...

... curse me and throw stones at me.

God may see our afflictions and repay us

with good for what we're suffering.

Like Saul...

... you're still letting

those who hate you flourish.

It is a policy that is harming us

to this day.

I have a few ideas about fighting back.

Send for that friend of Aphitophel's.

Hushai, I think his name is.

Hushai, my lord king.

You called for me, my lord king?

You study with Nathan and Zadok?

Yes, my lord king.

You are known to the one

who calls himself Absalom's advisor...

... Aphitophel?

Yes.

I'm going to ask you to do something

you might find painful, Hushai.

Ask, my lord king.

I want you to return

to the comfort of Jerusalem.

But I want to be here

with you and Nathan.

You cannot help me here.

But...

... if you can get close to Absalom...

... you may defeat

the counsels of Aphitophel.

I see, my lord king.

Go to Jerusalem.

Go now.

The Council of Elders, my lord king.

My lord king.

The Council of Elders wants to know...

... will you stop collecting tribute

for the temple?

For the time being...

... all your tribute will go towards

strengthening the army.

My father is a cruel, old leopard.

He has to be hunted down...

... cornered and killed.

That is the first work of the nation.

Nothing else can be accomplished...

... until David is no longer a threat.

Agreed, my lord king.

Absalom.

Absalom.

You are Ahimaz, nephew of Zadok...

... priest to David.

- Who says so?

- Your king.

Your true king, David,

may require a service from you.

Be ready.

The young priest, Hushai,

would like to greet the king.

The king recognizes in Hushai...

... a brilliant student of Nathan and Zadok.

Are you comfortable

in swearing loyalty to me?

I am a great believer

in youth and power.

The Lord favored David...

... when he was young

and fought a weak king.

Now Absalom...

... is similarly favored.

Well spoken.

On the other side of that door

are three of David's concubines.

Take them tonight, all of them.

That way, you will fulfill

the prophecy...

... and everyone will know

that what once was David's...

... is now yours.

Solomon.

The news is not good?

None of the villagers this close

to Jerusalem want to join us.

In fact, nobody in this area is prepared

to meet with the regular army.

Won't they give us any food?

They're afraid.

Absalom has troops everywhere.

Our only hope are the tribes of Judea

on the other side of the river.

- We're too weak for a river crossing.

- David.

If Absalom catches you

with the river at your back...

... he will annihilate you.

We should pursue David

with all our forces now.

Tonight. While he's weary.

And with little support,

we can kill him without many losses.

Hushai, what do you say?

I think my learned friend is wrong.

You know that your father and Joab...

... and their best men

are still strong soldiers.

You strike at them now...

... they're like a wounded bear...

... ready to put up their angriest,

bloodiest fight.

If ever there was a time when David

would be likely to frighten your men...

... it's now.

My counsel...

... is to wait.

Let all the men of Israel

from Dan to Sheba join you.

You will fall on him then...

... like a hard rain.

I accept Hushai's counsel.

We will wait.

We wouldn't want it to be said...

... that slaughter was the purpose

of Absalom's rule.

- Can you run?

- Yes.

Run to David's camp

just north of Bahurim.

Tell him he must cross

the river without delay.

I don't know how much longer

Absalom will heed my counsel.

- Can you remember all of that?

- Yes, I can.

Then run.

Who is that?

This is Ahimaz.

Blood kin to Zadok and loyal to you,

my lord king.

- Yes?

- My lord king...

... I have news

from your servant, Hushai.

Come in, come in.

We will commence

the war against David...

... in Aphitophel's honor...

... at sunrise.

My lord king...

... please welcome Shobi of Rabbah...

... Machir of Lodebar...

... and Brarzilla of Rogelim.

They all head militias of their villages.

And they're all prepared

to fight for us.

We are honored to help...

... my lord king.

You'll each take one half of the force...

... and I will lead.

- No.

You can't.

Why not?

If you are with us...

... and the battle goes poorly...

... they will kill all of us to get to you.

If you are not seen on the field...

... we may survive a defeat

well enough...

... to fight another day.

Ittai, what do you think?

I agree.

Very well then, Joab.

You will lead.

Where will you meet them?

At the wood of Ephraim...

... where they will be tired

after crossing the river.

One last thing, Joab.

If it is at all possible

to save the life of Absalom...

... please find a way.

Forward.

I used to be frightened

entering a battle.

Now I'm frightened not to enter it.

Absalom.

Absalom.

Follow him.

We must follow Absalom.

Go. Tell the king what we have done.

Follow lttai.

Inform the king.

A rider.

No, two.

First one's lttai. A good man.

He brings good tidings.

I feel it.

All is well, my lord king.

Blessed be the Lord God...

... who delivered up those men,

who raised their hands against you.

What news of Absalom, my son?

Is he captive?

Is he prisoner? Is he safe?

I cannot say, my lord king.

Joab and a detachment

sought after him.

There was furious fighting...

... but I do not know the result.

Well?

Good news, my lord king.

For God has delivered you this day...

... from the power of those

who rose against you.

And Absalom?

May all the enemies of King David...

... God's anointed...

... meet the same fate

as that young man has.

My son.

My son.

Absalom.

Why couldn't God take my life

instead of yours?

Please.

Leave me.

My lord king.

You have turned this day's victory

into a ceremony of mourning.

The camp speaks only

of your grief for your son.

David.

David.

We have been together a long time.

And I have always loved you.

And I've always tried...

... to understand the way you feel...

... the way you see things.

But today, you disgraced yourself...

... and me...

... and all your men.

How's that?

You not only love your enemies...

... you seem to love them

more than your friends.

If all your loyal followers had died...

... and Absalom had lived...

... to crush your kingdom...

... you would have been pleased.

What would you have me do?

Return to Jerusalem.

Stand up at the gates...

... and thank all those

who were loyal to you this day.

Honor them with your greeting.

Or they will start a rebellion

more dangerous...

... than the one we put down today.

Be king, David.

Be king again.

Praise be to King David...

... of the Israelites.

Hail.

I know this victory is hollow for you.

My sorrow...

... is not just for myself.

With both my sons gone,

how can I be sure...

... that this kingdom will survive

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