Solomon and Sheba Page #2

Excepting the memory of me | which will live in your hearts,

I leave but one monument to my name: | the unity of Israel.

Symbol of the 12 tribes, once separate, | each striving for dominance,

but now you, the elders of the tribes, | stand before me, banded together,

in an indestructible oneness.

You were the last to lead your tribe | into the union, Ahab.

And as a pledge of your loyalty, | you brought me your only child, Abishag.

I have loved and cherished her | as my own daughter,

as I have loved and cherished Israel,

of which she has become | the living symbol.

She has been an honour to my house.

And to the household of David.

My day is almost done.

But the day of Israel has hardly dawned.

It is well that I make room for another | to follow after me on this throne.

No, you stay the king.

No! No!

- His Highness, Prince Adonijah. | - Adonijah?

Sire, I have driven like a fury | to attend this council

ever since your command reached me.

Behold the two halves of me.

The soldier.

And the poet.

I have loved you both dearly.

Tell me.

- Is there any jealousy between you? | - No, sire.

Jealousy of what? Have I a desire | to distinguish myself as a scholar?

It is Adonijah"s destiny to rule, | and I will truly serve him.

It is God who decrees | the destinies of his creatures, my son.

As I lay close to death,

out of the darkness | a great voice called to me and said

"I am the Lord thy God, | who placed thee upon the throne. "

"And this I declare unto you:

only in peace can Israel prosper | and be made great, not in strife. "

And again, the Lord God Jehovah | spoke to his servant David:

"Behold, a son has been born unto thee, | a man of peace. "

"Wherefore, | thou hast named him Solomon. "

"And I will establish | his kingdom for ever. "

- The kingdom is mine! | - God wills it otherwise.

You made good use | of your time alone with him.

You used his weakness against me.

- I knew nothing of this. | - You lie.

- You were always a weaver of words. | - You accuse him falsely.

After you"ve chosen him over me? | Theirs should be the choice.

- Let them choose. | - Aye, hear us.

- Adonijah. | - Adonijah.

- You, the elders, what say you? | - Accept the will of God.

- The crown is mine. I shall fight for it. | - Adonijah is the rightful heir.

Act not with violence | lest the wrath of God fall upon you.

I have never done anything | to deprive you.

Words from the mouth of a hypocrite.

Isn"t yours the act of a hypocrite | in coming to greet your father?

You who proclaimed yourself king | even though you knew David lived.

Has Hezrai spoken truly?

I did not know that | you had sent him to spy on me.

Could you not wait | until the breath left my body?

- I am weary with waiting. | - The king must respect and obey the law.

In proclaiming yourself, | you have violated the law of God and man.

I claimed what was mine by right, | and I shall never relinquish that right.

How long will it take them | to discover his incompetence?

Solomon king? Impossible.

Now it is revealed | out of the mouth of Adonijah himself

why God hath turned his face from him.

The wisdom of God | passeth all understanding.

As it is written, so let it be done.

Bring forth the waters of Gihon

and here, as God commands,

anoint Solomon king of Israel.

- By the grace of God. | - By the grace of God.

Yield, Adonijah. Yield | and bend the knee in the name of God.

Never! Rather would I | bend knee to the Pharaoh

than to this brother | who has robbed me of my birthright!

Then hold high the tablet of unity | before his eyes

so that he may ever remember | the purpose of his consecration.

Hail Solomon,

by the grace of God, king of Israel.

Hail Solomon, | by the grace of God, king of Israel.

Turn not against thy brother, Solomon.

His blood is hot, but it will cool.

You have my pledge, sire.

I will never forget that he is my brother.

And you, my child, | will you remain in the king"s household,

or will you return to Gilead | with your father Ahab?

When I was brought to the house of David, | my people sang songs of gladness,

and I came with joy in my heart.

With the same joy, I will remain | within the house of Solomon.

One thing remains heavy on my heart.

In my youth, I dreamed | that I would build a mighty temple

to house the Ark of the Covenant.

But I sinned greatly,

and was not fit to erect | the habitation of the Lord.

Redeem my vow, my son.

Pledge me that you will build | the great temple of which I had dreamed

so that God will have his dwelling place | among his people.

I promise you it shall be built.

Be strong and of good courage.

Dread not,

nor be dismayed.

O Lord, my God,

thou hast made thy servant king | instead of David, my father,

and I am no more than a little child.

Give therefore unto thy servant | an understanding heart

that I may judge thy people,

that I may discern between good and evil,

for who is able to judge this, | thy so great a people?

Because thou hast asked this thing

and hast not asked for thyself | long life, nor riches for thyself,

nor the life of thine enemies,

but hast asked for understanding | to discern judgement.

Behold, I have done | according to thy words.

I have given unto thee | a wise and understanding heart.

And if thou wilt walk in my ways,

keeping my statutes | and my commandments,

I will give unto thee | both riches and honour

so there shall not be | among the kings of the earth

any like unto thee in all thy days.

- Not good enough. | - No?

With you, I am seldom good enough. | Double the wager.

Very well.

I should have killed him | when he was chosen king.

Patience, Highness. Wait.

- I am not a patient man. | - I am aware of that.

Leave us, Joab.

Did you not hear His Majesty, Joab? | Obey his command.

For a man whose wisdom | is becoming the marvel of the land,

you show a surprising lack of it | by coming here alone.

I have come to ask a favour of you.

Knowing that this hand of mine must ache | to drive this spear through your body?

I know what is in your heart.

All I ask is that you love your country | as much as you hate me.

That would make me the greatest patriot | in the history of Israel.

David has laid a great burden upon me.

To rule the kingdom and to build the | temple, both of which I have undertaken.

But you have elected | to remain here in your lodge,

depriving the people of your great talent | as a soldier and a commander.

To build is not enough.

What has been built must be defended | against all the enemies of the nation.

For that task, | you are far better suited than I.

Return to Jerusalem,

offer your services, not to me, | but to your country and your God.

You are offering me | command of the army?

Yes.

Even though I might try | to use it against you?

Yes.

Well?

I am trying to decide | if you are the wisest of the wise,

or the fool of fools.

So Solomon walked | in the way of his God,

and through a long era of peace, | Israel grew and prospered.

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