[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.
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.
[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, kill 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, bastard? - [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 bastard.
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!
- 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 war.
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.