Saul and Jonathan were swifter than eagles, fiercer than lions.
In their death, they were not divided.
Jonathan, you were like a brother to me.
Kill me!
Beloved Saul, you called me your son.
When the Philistines crushed your army...
... God made your crown fall into my hands.
After seven years in Hebron, my army and I approached Jerusalem.
Our numbers are too great to stay here in Hebron.
I have appealed to the Jebusites...
... to make their city of Jerusalem our capital.
They claim they can beat back our armies...
... with nothing but the sick and the lame.
What do you think? Shall we test that boast?
Look what becomes of the well of Jerusalem.
Tell your city elders that their water supply...
... is now in the hands of King David of the Israelites.
They've captured the well!
You have a choice.
You can join us and live in peace and security...
... or oppose us and die of thirst.
Please. Please, sir.
Enter our city in peace.
O my God, you have made this city...
... a blessing for your faithful servant, David.
Thank you for Jerusalem...
... a place where my wives and children...
... and all my once-weak and scattered tribes can rest...
... and live as a united nation to serve you, O Lord.
Lord...
... who am I that you have brought me to this beautiful city...
... and this beautiful house?
You know my heart, Lord.
You know all the great things you have done for me...
... that I would know your will.
We are your people...
... forever, Lord.
From a humble shepherd, Lord, you have lifted me up...
... to be king over your city and your people...
... as you did for that humble farmer from the tribe of Benjamin...
... the man named Saul.
Father...
... the mules...
... they're gone.
Abner, stay here.
Jonathan, come with me. We'll get them back.
Are we being punished, Father?
I don't know.
I don't need to know.
We're at the border of Benjamite territory.
If they're much further, they're lost.
I have faith the Lord wouldn't make us come this far for nothing.
Have you found our animals in the town?
No, master. But there is in the city a man of God.
An honorable man.
What he says comes to pass.
We've no gifts for a holy man.
I have this silver.
Bless you, Jonathan.
We'll go and see him tomorrow.
We're looking for lost mules.
Perhaps you're the man who can help us.
Come...
... up here with me.
Don't concern yourself about your mules.
They've been found.
Did you say our mules had been found?
Perhaps you know that the tribes of Israel...
... have decided to ask God for a king.
We've all heard it.
I am the Lord's prophet...
... Samuel.
And yesterday...
... the Lord spoke to me, and he said, "Tomorrow...
... at about this time...
... you'll meet a man out of the tribe of Benjamin.
Anoint him to be the captain of my people...
... and to save them from the Ammonites and the Philistines. "
The Benjamites are the smallest tribe of Israel.
My family is the least important of all the Benjamin tribe.
None of that matters now, since the Lord is with you.
You are the one on whom all the hopes of Israel rest.
On you...
... and all your father's house.
With his blessing...
... the Lord has anointed you...
... as prince over all Israel.
Listen to the word of the Lord.
Obey his commandments.
Your enemies will flee...
... and your kingdom shall prosper.
Now rise to your feet.
I'm your humble servant, my lord king.
Hail King Saul.
God bless him.
The Lord has seen you as fit to do a king's work.
Trust him.
Is that all?
Today, after you depart from me, you should travel to Rachel's sepulcher.
- I know it. - There you shall meet two men.
They will show you that the mules that you went to seek are found.
Then you shall come to the plain of Tabor...
... where you will meet three men going up to God at Bethel.
And they will gift you with goats and bread and wine.
And then you shall meet a company of devout men...
... coming from a high place.
And the spirit of God will come over you.
God has given me another heart.
What is my first task?
To gather together the tribes...
... strike back at the Ammonites...
... and win a war.
God save King Saul!
Welcome, men!
Welcome to the army of Israel!
I will give orders to our forces...
... through my son...
... Jonathan...
... and my nephew, Abner, and my lieutenant, Phineas.
Our job now...
... is to make weapons! - Yes.
We must make as many weapons as possible.
We must work as hard as we possibly can.
God doesn't want us to wave our hands at the enemy.
He wants us to be as strong as we can...
... so that we can defeat our enemy.
God bless Saul!
And the army of Israel!
Stop!
Leave her be. She's under my protection.
- Who are you? - Not someone to answer your questions.
A while ago, you slaughtered the men of this village.
I warn you now.
Give up hope of getting these lands...
... or any lands belonging to Israel.
Go back to where you come from.
What do we have here? A Hebrew warrior?
These are the words of the Lord.
My name is Saul, king of Israel.
No!
Samuel...
... what now? - Now you'll take your army to Gilgal.
I'll join you there.
You will wait for me for seven days...
... and then I'll come and tell you what you must do for the Lord.
Over this next ridge.
My God.
Fetch me a calf.
I'll kill it as a sacrifice.
Very well, uncle.
Father, be patient. Wait for Samuel.
If he's not here to speak to God for me...
... I'll have to take care of the matter myself.
Take the animal and burn it.
- Can't we share in the meat, my lord? - Burn it. Bring me the ashes.
Saul.
What are you doing?
I'm making a sacrifice.
My army's been bled by deserters.
The Philistines are massing in great numbers.
You were not here to speak on my behalf.
You were told to wait.
I had to do something.
You've not obeyed the commandments of the Lord God.
He would have established your kingdom forever.
Samuel.
Samuel, wait.
Whatever the Lord asks of me, I'll do it.
A few miles south of here, there is a camp of Amalekites.
Since we are a nation, they are the most brutal enemies of Israel.
Their leader, Agag, is a vicious murderer...
... a man of evil.
God wants you to remove them.
Jonathan!
Fetch my armor.
We march at once.
Fetch the armor!
Ready the spears!
And when I win this battle...
... will I be restored in the eyes of God?
Do not even ask.
Simply do as God commands.
Destroy the Amalekites completely, Saul.
Men, women, children, cattle, everything.
Great king, you have the field and crushed my army.
Surely the bitterness of death is past.
Why is this man still alive?
Why have his cattle been spared?
My men are hungry. They need meat.
Agag is worth more to me alive than dead.
Trust me, Samuel. It's for the best.
My God.
O my God.
I repent that I have made Saul king.
He has turned back from following me...
... and has not performed my commandments.
Samuel...
... greetings. - Stop.
I'll tell you what God has said.
Say on.
When you were little in your own eyes...
... were you not made king of all Israel? - I was.
And all God asked was that you obey his commands.
Instead, you're as rebellious as some heathen witch.
You reject the Lord.
Now he'll reject you and your kingdom.
Samuel...
... if I've sinned, it was to feed my army.
All right. All right, I've sinned.
But, Samuel, help me, please. Help me. Help me make this right with God.
Together. Together we'll make a burnt offering.
You think God cares about burnt offerings?
Or does he care that his servant obey his word?
You cannot bargain with the God of Israel.
As your sword has made women childless...
... so shall your mother be childless.
- You go too far. - No, not far enough, I'm afraid.
Today, you've lost the kingdom that God gave you.
I'll go find someone better to give it to.
You'll not see me again until the day you die.
No, Samuel. Samuel, no! Samuel, no!
Samuel, don't go.
Samuel.
Samuel...
... fill your horn with oil...
... and set out for Bethlehem.
There you will find a man named Jesse.
Among his sons, there is a king.
Thank you for choosing our village to make a sacrifice.
Your presence honors us.
And your name might be?
I'm Jesse of Bethlehem.
My sons and I would be honored if you took supper with us.
I'd like to meet your sons.
Will they all be there?
Oh, yes. They'll all be there.
- My eldest is Eliab. - Eliab.
- Then Abinadab. - Abinadab.
- Shammah. - Shammah.
- Joel. - Joel.
- Nehemiah. - Nehemiah.
- Seriah. - Seriah.
And Azariah.
Azariah.
A fine group.
A fine group. Strong young men.
You must be very proud.
Is this all? Are these all your sons?
Oh, no. My youngest and smallest stays out overnight with the sheep.
His name is David.
Lord...
... this boy?
Is this the one?
Don 't consider his size or his age.
The Lord sees not as man sees.
Man looks at the outward appearance.
God sees into the hearts.
Who goes there?
A friend.
My name is Samuel.
Are you David?
Samuel the prophet?
Yes.
Please, sir, allow me to sit with you.
I regret having nothing to offer you except a piece of my blanket.
So you've heard of me?
You anointed our beloved King Saul.
I could tell by your face the minute I saw you...
... that you were much traveled.
More in the realm of the spirit than on the surface of the earth.
But those are the best journeys.
So you come on business with my father and brothers?
I was sent by the Lord.
The Lord, our God, has sent me to anoint you...
... as the one to rule over all Israel...
... and to build a great new kingdom.
I think I've heard the voice of God in these hills.
- But this... - This is God's will.
If it's God's will, then I have no cause to be troubled.
Then you'll let me anoint you?
What of King Saul...
... who has done so many brave things...
... and has many capable sons already?
What's going to happen to him?
Only the Lord God knows Saul's fate.
With the blessing...
... of almighty God...
... honoring the names of our fathers...
... Abraham...
... Isaac...
... and Jacob...
... I anoint you...
... king of all Israel...
... King David.
The Lord has anointed you as prince over his people.
Listen to the word of the Lord.
Obey his commandments.
Your enemies will flee...
... and your kingdom shall prosper.
You don't think God has abandoned me?
I'll be robbed of my crown.
My life.
A sword is at my throat.
Father, some evil spirit is troubling you.
Oh, yes, an evil spirit sent by God himself.
It's more than a spirit. Oh, God.
I could see my death.
- Is this the one? - No.
That's him.
Are you David?
Yes.
It is said your harp playing...
... can charm evil spirits away from living beings.
You have this gift?
It's God's gift, if it's anyone's.
I am Jonathan.
Will you help my father?
The Lord is my shepherd.
I shall not want.
He makes me lie in green pastures.
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...
... I will fear no evil.
For thou art with me.
Thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.
Thou anointest my head with oil.
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life...
... and I will dwell in the house of the Lord...
... forever.
Walking through the valley of the shadow of death.
- What's your name? - David, son of Jesse, my lord king.
I like your music.
Your words speak to me.
I'm glad, my lord king.
Stay near.
You can sleep by my sons.
And by day, polish my armor.
And at night, delight the king with your poems and your playing.
As you wish.
I'm tired.
Very tired.
You can leave me.
For what you've done for my father...
... I will always be grateful to you.
- God bless you and keep you. - Thank you, Jonathan.
Goliath's killed our best fighters.
- You can't go into battle alone. - I have to prove I'm still worthy to lead...
... by cutting this Philistine animal to pieces!
Get my sword.
Father, we cannot afford to lose you.
My lord king, as your loyal servant, I'll fight this Philistine.
What are you going to do? Harp him to death?
- David, your loyalty is admirable, but... - David...
... Goliath is a warrior. He's trained. He's strong.
He's a killer.
You have no experience of such a fight.
When I kept my father's sheep, a lion took a lamb from the flock.
I went out after him. I killed it.
I killed that lion.
This Philistine will just be another animal I'll kill in the same way.
That's what you called him.
The Lord will protect me.
You better take my armor.
- I don't know how to use it. - What will you use to kill Goliath?
Harsh language?
I will kill him.
The Lord be with you.
What's this?
The Hebrews are sending children to face me now?
Go home. I don't kill boys.
And you're not a man.
Come to me, boy.
I'll give your flesh to the birds...
... and your bones to the dogs.
Hey, boy!
Are you too afraid to fight?
You come armed with a sword...
... but I come in the name of the Lord of hosts...
... the God of the armies of Israel.
I'm going to kill you.
It's your body that the dogs will eat...
... and all the world will know there is a God in Israel.
My God.
Make a joyful noise unto God all ye lands.
Sing forth the honor of his name.
Through the greatness of thy power...
... shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
- You did it. - God was with me.
David! David! David!
- Jonathan, how did it go? - Good.
- Are you all right? - Never better, Michal.
And you, David?
Two more of the Philistine army sleep with their fathers tonight.
Does that impress the daughter of King Saul?
We caught half a dozen of them, Father, and their mules.
The Philistine women weep...
... when they remember the day David entered our camp.
- How did David do? - He got two by himself.
You've heard what they're saying.
Yes, uncle.
Saul has killed 1000 Philistines...
... David, 10,000.
He doesn't discourage such talk.
Perhaps he's the one.
Which one, uncle?
The one Samuel went in search of.
The one who would be after the Lord's own heart.
Our army loves him.
Perhaps such a hero...
... wants to be my son-in-law...
... marry my daughter.
I could never pay such a bride's price...
... however much I might wish it.
- Father, you... - Be quiet.
A king knows what his people and his family are thinking.
The garrison at Gilgal...
... it will need to be resupplied soon.
Take some men, make sure those supplies never arrive.
Bring me back the foreskins of 100 dead Philistines.
That will be a price for a daughter's hand.
You have honored me with such a command.
Let God arise. Let his enemies be scattered.
Let them also that hate him flee before him.
As smoke is driven away, so drive them away.
As wax melteth before the fire...
... so let the wicked perish...
... at the presence of God.
Two hundred Philistine foreskins, instead of the 100 you requested, my lord king.
The price was high.
Definitely a deed of valor...
... worthy of a husband of a princess.
I must prepare myself for your daughter.
I can't greet her with this blood on me.
Tomorrow night, uncle.
After the ceremonies.
I know three men who have no love for David.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, our God...
... king from eternity, who creates the fruit of the vine.
She is consecrated.
You are consecrated to me...
... according to the law of Moses and of Israel.
You are in grave danger.
You must leave here tonight.
Tell me, what's wrong?
Don't ask me how I know this...
... but Saul intends to take your life.
Kill him!
Why?
Your maid.
The girl is dead.
Why did you deceive me...
... and help my enemy?
I have been faithful to my husband, as I should.
- Where is he? - I had no chance to find out.
Your father wants me dead.
What?
Michal thinks so, and so do I.
I've done him no harm. But still he seeks my life.
David, you're not in danger.
Look, my father would do nothing without confiding in me.
- He has never kept anything from me. - He knows the love we have for each other.
He knows enough to keep his plans out of your sight.
Don't be naive.
David...
... I love you as I love my own soul.
Choose any way of testing my father's intentions towards you.
I will do whatever you ask.
- Tomorrow is a feast day. - Yes.
When he sees that my seat is empty...
... tell him...
... that I have gone on a yearly sacrifice to Bethlehem...
... with my father and brothers. If he's at peace with that, I'll return.
If he's angered, we'll know he means me harm.
If my father does mean to do you evil...
... you will know of it from my lips.
I will send you away, and you will go in peace.
From this day on, there's a covenant between us.
As long as I live, no harm will ever come to the house of Jonathan.
If we are attacked, who will organize our defenses?
It's a pity David isn't with us.
Where is David?
He's gone to Bethlehem to make a sacrifice with his family.
What is it, Father?
David is unclean.
He means me harm.
How can you say that, Father?
The mother that bore you was foul and rebellious!
You choose David's life over mine?
Over your own kingdom?
Why do you hate one who has loved and served you faithfully?
He tasks me.
He's like a pebble scratching at my heart!
As I am king, I swear he must die!
In a few miles, you will come to the city of Nob.
The priests there are men of virtue.
I must return, help my father wrestle with his evil spirit.
We've given our oath.
The Lord will always be with you.
I'm grateful for this.
Here is the only other thing I can give you.
The sword of Goliath.
If you have any need of it, it is yours.
I can give you nothing in return.
We know you have been gallant in Saul's service...
... and we know the Lord is with you.
Who's he?
Doeg, the Edomite...
... one of Saul's captains.
Be careful of him.
O God, thou art my God.
Early will I seek thee.
My soul thirsts for thee.
My flesh thirsts for thee in a dry, thirsty land.
Because thy loving kindness is better than life...
... my lips shall praise thee.
David.
Where is he?
I do not know where he is, my lord king.
You've conspired with David against me.
You've given him bread and a sword.
You pray to God that he might rise against me. Do you deny it?
Who has been as faithful to my lord king as David...
... that you made your son-in-law?
Kill him.
Let there be no more traitors.
Kill the priests of the Lord...
... for their hand is with David.
Greetings. I am Joab...
... one of the men loyal to David.
I am seeking Nabal.
Nabal.
- So? - I am Joab.
I come from David.
He asks for your kindness and generosity.
Our King Saul has a warrant on David's head.
David is not welcome here.
I ought to slit that pig's throat from ear to ear.
Somebody's coming.
I am Abigail, wife of the man Nabal...
... who has behaved so discourteously towards you, my lord.
My husband is a fool.
I have brought food and blankets for your people.
But your first protector is the Lord God.
Please...
... try to take no offense.
Don't be drawn into action by the evil of those who hate you.
Blessed be the Lord that sent you to me today.
Blessed be you for your wise words.
There is no reason for me to shed the blood of Nabal.
Thank you, my lord.
That penniless outlaw, David...
... dreams he can have a seat at my table.
The nerve.
Saul still has a bounty on David.
A message concerning David's whereabouts...
... is still worth a nice price in silver shekels.
You have no notion of who David is, do you, Nabal?
- What do you mean? - Those who oppose David oppose God.
God.
David was a step away from taking your life.
The ground beneath your feet is ready to give way, Nabal.
Consider this.
Abigail, wait!
Abig...
Michal has been given by her father to another man.
You have been alone a long time.
Would you come with me and be my wife?
You must leave this place.
It seems as if...
... every time I've found a place to rest my head...
... I've had to leave.
Before he died, Nabal sent word to Saul...
... that you could be found in the hills of Engedi.
You must leave.
Good. I'm glad Saul knows where to find me.
It's time we had a reckoning.
David, wait.
Wait here, uncle.
- Here, Jonathan. - Yes, Father.
This way. We'll stay here the night.
One blow from that spear, and Saul is dead.
Order me to do it.
Do not do it.
Who can raise his hand against the one who God anointed?
The Lord will take him.
His day will come to die, but not by my hand.
- Abner? - What is it, uncle?
- He was here. - No, uncle.
Abner, you've not done a good job of guarding your king.
Is this the voice of my son David?
Where did you hear that I ever meant you harm?
This day you can see with your eyes you were given into my hands.
Some said to kill you...
... but I did not.
I will not raise my hand against my lord king.
I came this close to you, Saul.
Now you must know there is no evil in my heart towards you.
I have not sinned against you...
... even though you have hunted me and sought to take my life.
The Lord will judge between you and me.
Wickedness proceeds from the wicked.
But my hand will not rise against you.
Is this your true voice, David, my son?
It is, my lord.
Then I have sinned.
Return to me, David.
I'll do you no harm...
... because my soul is precious in your eyes tonight.
God is with you.
You will be king.
But swear to me you will not cut off my sons...
... nor destroy the name of my house.
I swear it.
God bless you, David.
You will do great things.
Be merciful to me, O God.
Be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge.
In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge...
... till the storms of destruction pass by.
Nathan...
... God makes it hard to be a king.
You must help him.
Listen to what I tell you.
You must tell him...
... stay close to God.
Close.
You know he's God's choice.
Samuel worried about you, David.
Even on his deathbed.
He told me to warn you of Saul, not to believe his promises of peace.
The evil spirit within Saul can return at any time.
You will be like a lamp to the people of Israel...
... for the Lord is with you.
That is what Samuel said.
All of Israel will miss him, Nathan.
It was also his wish that I go with you and be a teacher to you...
... and help you hear the word of the Lord.
His last words were, " Help David.
God makes it hard to be a king. "
David.
The Amalekites kidnapped your wife, Abigail.
The women went to the stream to wash...
... and a bunch of Amalekite raiders took them.
Round up the men. We'll pursue them at once.
The women are up there.
Here, Leah, you take this.
You harlot!
You'll be sorry you did this.
We'll get no good price for the wife of David!
O Lord God...
... to whom vengeance belongeth...
... show thyself.
Thou judge of the Earth...
... render a reward to the proud.
Lord, how long shall the wicked triumph?
The Philistine armies of Achish are massing in all directions.
We must either abandon Gilboa or think of a strategy...
... for breaking through their lines. - How?
How can I decide what to do...
... when I cannot reach my God?
God wants us to live.
No.
Only him who speaks to God...
... can be certain what to do.
Who would that be, Father?
The prophet Samuel, of course.
- He's dead. - I know he's dead.
Nevertheless, I must speak to him.
A witch.
What?
A witch could bring Samuel back from the other world.
No, you can't!
Can't?
Our army stands on the brink of annihilation!
I must have counsel of him that speaks to God.
It's a sin.
So I've sinned.
At least I'll have spoken to God again.
- Who's there? - We mean no harm.
- We're travelers. - Travelers?
Woman, I...
... know of your powers.
Can you bring back someone known to me from the other world?
Are you mad?
You know King Saul of the Israelites has forbidden such practices.
I guarantee you will not be punished by this Saul.
And what will you pay?
Who was he and when did he die?
The prophet Samuel.
Six months ago.
- Oh, my God! - What is it?
You are King Saul. You tricked me.
No, no.
Samuel.
Saul.
Why have you brought me here?
Why do you disturb my rest?
I had to talk to you.
My army is in jeopardy.
God has left me.
Only you can tell me what to do.
If God has left you...
... what can I do?
The Lord has taken your kingdom.
And he intends it for David.
No.
Now he has left you to the Philistines.
- No. - Tomorrow...
... you and your sons will be with me.
No!
We attack!
But we are so few.
Remember the day we drove the Philistine raiders from the village?
- That was a good day. - Today will be such a day.
The spirit of God is with us again?
The spirit of God is with us today.
Forward!
Run.
Jonathan. Jonathan.
Kill me.
Don't let them take me.
Kill me.
Jonathan!
Kill me!
Saul and Jonathan were swifter than eagles.
They were stronger than lions.
And in their death, they were not divided.
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of battle.
David.
You are anointed of God.
You must be our king.
Thou shalt not be afraid of the terrors by night...
... nor of the arrows that flieth by day...
... nor of the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
He shall give his angels charge over thee...
... to keep thee in all thy ways.
Here we are in the great city of Jerusalem...
... which is so rich in building stone.
Here I'm gonna build the greatest temple the world has ever seen...
... to house the Ark of the Covenant as is fit and proper.
I'm afraid there's a problem with that, my lord king.
What kind of a problem?
The Lord God has spoken to me of this.
And what has he said?
He said:
"I have not dwelt in any house since the time...
... I brought the children of Israel out of Egypt.
I have walked in a tent...
... and have not complained or said:
'Why have you not built me a house of Cedar? '"
It is not for you, David, to name what God can demand for himself.
I only want to honor him.
God knows this...
... and he loves you for it.
He said:
"Tell my servant, David...
... I took you from the sheepfold...
... to be ruler of Israel.
I have appointed a place for your people.
A place of their own...
... where they may live and move no more.
As to a house for me...
... it will come when your days are fulfilled...
... and you sleep with your fathers.
I will take one of your seed...
... and establish his kingdom.
But my mercy shall not depart away from him...
... as I took it from Saul to make room for you.
Your house and your kingdom...
... shall be established forever. "
And...
: : :my son : : :
... will build a temple for the Lord?
Yes.
And...
... my son...
... will build a temple for the Lord?
Yes.
There's a woman living just a stone's throw...
... from the east corner of this house.
That's Uriah the Hittite's house, my lord king.
You are referring to his wife, Bathsheba.
Uriah, a fine soldier.
- Hasn't Joab gone to join him at Rabbah? - Yes, my lord king.
Have...
- Bathsheba? ... Bathsheba...
... join me after you've cleared away the meal.
Welcome to my home, Bathsheba.
Your husband is a brave soldier.
Thank you, my lord king.
Do you know the reason you're here?
The sight of me...
... pleased you. - You saw me watching you?
I did not, my lord.
It was a feeling.
A strange feeling.
I could sense...
... someone watching me.
Something you know somehow without knowing how.
I am married, my lord.
Do you love your husband?
As it is a wife's duty to love her husband.
You're not answering my question.
Perhaps it is the way you ask it.
Does he live...
... in your heart...
... as one unique spirit that speaks to you?
I'm afraid...
... to break our laws of marriage, my lord.
And I am afraid...
... to refuse my king.
Especially when he is as great as you.
Thank you, Joseph.
I am troubled, my lord.
What is it, Bathsheba?
My lord...
... I carry your child.