Solomon and Sheba

This is the borderland that lies between the countries of Egypt and Israel.

As it is today, so it was 1,000 years before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

Even then, these boundaries were kept ablaze

with the fires of hatred and conflict.

Each side prided themselves on the efficiency of their spies

but kept themselves always on the alert.

Soldiers of David, commanded by his son and heir Adonijah, prince of Israel.

- A chariot moving along the road. - Stop the fool, whoever he is.

- Prince Solomon. - Is my brother here?

Prince Adonijah is at the top of the hill. Follow me.

Solomon! What are you doing here?

On my way to Jerusalem, we got word the Egyptians were on the prowl again.

I thought you might need some help.

You are better suited to singing songs than exploits in battle.

Our father David was a singer of songs, but he's also a mighty warrior.

- Where are the Egyptians? - They thought to trap me,

to rush in on our camp and kill us while we slept, but we're not sleeping.

Give me your orders.

This is not your kind of game, brother.

I never thought of it as a game. I fight by your side.

- Then the sword of victory, Solomon. - And the shield of God, Adonijah.

Spread out, and kill them all.

- Now we attack. - Attack.

Sound the retreat.

Once again, the Pharaoh will have reason to remember the name of Adonijah.

Let him write it in the blood of his dead.

Too long this soil has been bathed in blood.

Have you lost your taste for blood now that the battle is over?

After seeing the glory of victory,

the glory of peace makes itself known.

Peace is for women and children.

Let me cleanse my mouth of the stench of the Egyptians.

To a new victory won by the Prince of Israel.

- To the warrior prince, Adonijah. - To Adonijah.

To your glory, brother. May it increase the glory of Israel.

There would be greater glory if I were not shackled by command of my father.

Defend but never attack.

When I am king, there will be no privileged sanctuaries for my enemies.

I'll pursue them into their own cities.

- We'll hunt them down like dogs. - We'll rout them out.

Highness, this one was found among the dead, but he is no Egyptian.

Put him down.

The Pharaoh has mercenaries, but I have never seen one like him.

- From where do you come? - I have the honour to serve Her Majesty.

- The Queen of Sheba. - The Queen of Sheba?

We're a long way from the land of Sheba. 800 leagues.

Where goes the Queen of Sheba there go I, a soldier of her guard.

Why does a Sheban fight with Egyptians against Israel?

I fight where my queen commands.

And it pleased my queen to lead her troops against a band of barbarians.

I'll send your hide to this brave queen of yours as a token of my esteem.

No. Grant him the respect one soldier should have for another.

Bind up his wounds.

So spare him.

Out of regard for the tender heart of my dear brother.

This queen amuses herself by leading men across our borders

to slay Israelites as she might attend a circus.

I doubt if she found much amusement here.

Hezrai.

What brings the king's chancellor here? More orders?

No, Highness. If that were so, mine would be a far happier mission.

Your father, King David, lies at the point of death.

He lapsed into a coma and has not regained consciousness.

His physicians could give me no word of hope to bring you.

Josiah, we ride to Jerusalem.

- Hail Adonijah, King of Israel. - Hail Adonijah. Hail the king.

It is not your right to proclaim the king. These are the words of the Law:

"He shall be anointed with the waters of Gihon

and crowned in the presence of the priest and the elders of the tribes."

Your law may be the Word, Chancellor. Mine is the sword.

Hail Adonijah.

And why do you remain silent? Am I not David's rightful heir?

- Your first thought is not for our father? - Life is for the living.

When I know David is no longer living, I will be the first to acknowledge you.

I will follow you, Highness.

We could reach Jerusalem by dawn tomorrow.

Let Solomon concern himself with the dead. My thoughts are for the living.

I have business with this Sheban queen.

We must ride fast to overtake her.

Horses!

Hai! Hai!

Hai! Go!

Go! Go!

Halt!

Stand aside.

In Israel, I give the orders.

I regret that we did not meet last night when you visited my encampment.

Who are you?

- The king of Israel. - He lies.

Whoever he is, he is an impostor.

The king is an old man, weak with the burden of his years.

Is that why you thought it safe to join forces with the Egyptians?

Give me leave, and I will clear them from the road.

You think you could do better now than you did last night?

David lies dead in Jerusalem. I, Adonijah, am his heir.

- We want no dealings with the Israelites. - Let him speak, Baltor.

- What favour do you seek of me? - If we were dealing in favours,

- I could bring you the heads of your dead. - Kill him!

- Your own head is not too secure. - Silence, Haran.

I pursued you not to ask favours but to grant them.

And what favour could an Israelite grant the Queen of Sheba?

A kingdom twice as large as she now rules.

Renounce your alliance with the Pharaoh. Let your banners fly beside mine.

When I have overthrown him, I will give you all his lands that border on your own.

And if I refuse your generosity?

Then I will hurl you down into the same dust that will choke the Pharaoh.

Yours is the choice. Glory with Israel, or disaster with Egypt.

You dog!

My ancestors sat upon the throne of a great country

when yours still crawled on their hands and knees, feeding on insects.

- Is that your answer? - This is my answer.

Haran!

Hail the king of Israel!

Solomon.

- Am I in time, Abishag? - He still lives.

Your mother and I have been constantly by his side.

- We must have hope. - My prayers have been answered.

That you are here while your father is able to give you his blessing.

- Mother. - My son.

My son.

Do not despair.

- Is there hope? - His heart still beats,

but his breath is so quenched that it leaves no mist upon the metal.

My father. My king.

Let my prayers call you back from the shadows.

Solomon, peace of the Lord.

In my dream, your face was ever before me.

Now I am here, Father.

- Where is your brother? - Adonijah was detained with his troops.

Ever the soldier, before all else.

Send messages with my command that he return.

It will be done.

Now rest until your strength returns.

- Bring me Nathan the prophet. - I am here, O King.

Summon the elders of the 12 tribes and the council.

I have had a vision from God.

You've been summoned at the king's command. Hear the words of the king.

Has there been no report from the couriers sent to bring Adonijah?

No, sire, none have returned.

Then I must act without him.

40 years I have reigned over you,

and I have been your father and you my beloved children.

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.