House of David

Previously on House of David ...

When I was young, there were these stones.

Your mother loved them, so I had this made for her.

I trust you've checked every corner for scorpions?

We must be careful to crush them.

If there's love to be found, I must embrace it while I still can.

Jonathan, what are you doing here? Jonath...

David, I have never been chosen.

I deserve to have a future as much as Mychal.

Please, don't embarrass me.

Tell me, son of Judah.

Does your conscience still drown

in the blood of the innocent family you slaughtered?

Get away, son. Run!

Lately, you seem to be fighting more than the enemy.

They would crown that boy today if they could.

He is a threat. Why do you refuse to see it?

My king.

David.

I will not marry Mirab. Do what you must.

If David is not grateful for the favor of his king, let him leave.

Banish him back to the hills of Bethlehem. Back to nothing!

And what then? You are the one who put him on this pedestal.

Should he step off, the people will blame you for it, not him.

Ah, my king, your hands are tied.

A king's hands are never tied!

There is another solution.

Close the doors and leave us.

Give David what he wants.

Let him marry Mychal.

But only after he completes one last mission.

One that will prove his worthiness, win her hand.

One he will not survive.

My queen, the boy serves this house.

He inspires our people.

Then let them be inspired one last time.

The giant slayer will die a hero at the hands of our enemies.

Leave our nation with a legend they will cherish...

and soon forget.

My king, this plan comes with significant risk should it fail.

Then don't fail, Abner.

But I do care about the boy.

I know.

But David grows more powerful by the day,

and soon you will not be able to contain him.

My king...

my husband.

Heed my words as you always have

for the sake of your throne and the future of our family.

David must die.

You make it look harder than it is.

Oh, I confess I don't have much experience.

Mmm. Not a regular part of a prince's duties?

I can see why you love it here.

Jonathan?

Why have you come?

-To ask you to marry me. -Jonathan.

I'm sorry about your brother, that I could not protect him.

And you're right.

-I take lives. I... -It was unfair of me to blame you.

And I know my brother was honored to fight beside you.

But as much as I can understand it, I cannot live your life.

Then we will build our own life.

I love you. You have healed more than my body.

I cannot see my future without you. I-I refuse to.

You're the firstborn prince of Israel.

One day, whether I like it or not, you are going to be king...

and I do not wish to be queen.

-What if I wasn't? -Wasn't what?

Going to be king.

But you are.

There's something I need to tell you.

Have you come to gloat?

I came to apologize.

I never intended to hurt you.

You would have to matter to me for your betrayal to hurt.

Besides, my father will probably banish you to Egypt.

Or maybe have you dragged behind a hundred horses

-until you beg for death... -Mirab.

...or make you a eunuch.

Hmm. I like it. I'll recommend it to him myself.

-I wish I could explain to you why. -There is nothing for you to explain.

We had a public arrangement.

An arrangement is no reason to marry. It isn't fair to either of us.

Do not talk to me about what is fair.

I only ever asked you for one thing.

One, do not embarrass me.

And now it appears you have embarrassed us both.

You defied the man who made you famous because you want what you want,

and you do not care who you hurt.

And now, you will face the consequences.

Goodbye, David. You will not be missed.

Samuel anointed David, a shepherd,

to be the next king of Israel?

Yes.

And your father does not know this?

No.

So if he finds out...

What about Mychal, does she know?

Only me. And, uh, well, now you.

I should have told you I am not good at lying.

Sorry.

Why are you telling me this?

Because God has a design.

And it is clear it does not involve me becoming king.

I'm sorry.

No. I've spent my entire life watching other men discover their destinies...

while mine laid before me, already written in stone.

Now God has chosen David,

and somehow, I feel...

relief.

In truth, I feel free.

Perhaps for the first time in my life.

But I do not need to search for passion...

because it walked into my life and it found me.

So, marry me?

When?

Today. Here.

Only in the presence of God and your kin.

All I desire is here.

Do you know the turmoil you have caused in this house?

Speak the truth to me.

You refuse to marry Mirab because of your love for Mychal, yes?

Yes.

And you would do anything for this love? You would die for it?

I would.

I married for love when I was not much older than you.

Well, then you must understand.

I do. And I am willing to compromise.

I will allow you to marry Mychal because I know you love her.

But, first, you must prove your devotion to me.

Anything.

I will fight any battle for you.

The Philistine Forge at Gath.

Where they were crafting weapons of iron?

You must destroy it, burn it to the ground.

Consider it done.

It will not be easy. It is fortified and elevated,

they will see your army from a long distance away.

Well, then I will take only my finest men.

You will do more than that.

They have raided my villages, murdered my people.

In return...

you will personally kill 100 Philistines and bring me their foreskins.

This will make you worthy of my daughter's hand.

My king, I would kill 1,000 if it meant I could be with Mychal.

Then may God be with you.

But, David...

love is one thing. Loyalty is another.

You will speak of this to no one.

Especially Mychal.

I will not disappoint you.

Thank you.

David?

Before you go...

will you play for me?

Jonathan, son of Saul,

today you have honored our family...

as you join our houses...

...and take my granddaughter, Sara, as your wife.

As beautiful as ever.

God go with you, son.

It was foolish what you did.

And brave.

Mostly foolish.

Ah.

Mychal, can I ask you a question?

Mm-hmm.

If we could still marry, would you?

David. We've talked about this. We can't.

If we could.

Why are you asking me this? Why now?

If I could say more, I would, but all I need is a simple yes or no.

Mmm. Yes.

But, David, that doesn't change the situation.

Please just trust me. I will be back.

-Back? -Yes.

-Back? Back from where? -I will be back.

David.

Where else in my kingdom can I drink wine like this?

Mmm.

It is decidedly strong.

Mmm. Strength knows strength.

I'm afraid to ask what it is made from.

Best you don't.

Surely Samuel is not still in your head?

Like a termite.

We have each suffered from pestilence.

But I turn my blade on my enemies, not myself.

That is how I was freed from this.

So, if God no longer troubles you,

what is it?

David.

I would ask how you knew that.

I listen, I observe.

Mmm.

But I will tell you a story.

I knew a man once.

He kept a tiger, magnificent creature.

He fed it by hand only the finest meat, and the tiger loved him for that,