House of David

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. - 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...

Adriel.

Ah.

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.

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.

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?

Alert the queen of my return.

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. -

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.

No, she's right.

The glory of victory fades.

We need another distraction to capture hearts and minds.

And what's that?

Love.

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.

Yes, my queen.

Are they not done?

They're nearly finished, my queen.

Good.

"In those days, Israel had no king."

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.

Do you have any?

None of consequence.

Mmm. Mine is that sometimes I-I want none of this.

Not this life.

Nor the demands that come with it.

I think of your village, where we met.

Perhaps there I could be just another girl.

You'll never be just another girl.

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... -

...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.

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.

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.

My scepter. Where is it?

This is all I can do without sorcery,

but the tincture I gave him is strong.

...should respect my things.

...disappeared. I put it down somewhere here.

It will take him a moment to settle.

- I trust that he will. -

It is by the fire, my love.

Remember?

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.

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.

Father?

You wanted to see me.

Amazing.

What?

You look like a queen.

We have something we want to tell you.

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?

- - 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.

Are you ready to be pounced on by the five terrors of Adriel?

Just need to entertain them.

They're not all that bad.

You all right?

King Saul of Israel. And his royal family.

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.

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! -

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.