All language subtitles for The.Bible.-.Solomon.[1997].DvDRip.XviD-Knπ.Eng

I am black and beautiful.

O daughters of Jerusalem,

Do not gaze at me
because I am dark.

Let him kiss me
with the kisses of his mouth.

Your lips are like
crimson thread,

your breasts are like two fawns
that feed among the lilies.

There is no flaw in you.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

Adonijah!
Adonijah, my brother!

Are you hurt?

Oh, of course not,
Solomon.

I always end a race this way.

No, don't move.
Let me see if you are injured.

So, you're
a physician now, too?

Is there anything
you don't know, Solomon?

I know you're too mean to be hurt
by such a minor accident.

Minor accident ?

- It was spectacular.
- I thought you'd been killed.

Imagine my disappointment now,
to see you still alive.

Get away from me!

I'm not hurt.

I won, Solomon.

Won? You have to cross
the finish line to win.

Look at you. . .
you can't even walk.

I can walk.

Pick him up,
pick him up!

Break camp!

The hunt is over.
To Jerusalem!

Are you in need
of help?

Only if you're
a physician.

Physician?

No, no, my lord!
Stop, stop, stop.

But my daughter
is skilled in herbs.

Many people say
she has healed them.

What is your name?

I am Azarel ben Asaph,
from Jaffa.

I travel to Jerusalem
to sell salt fish.

This is my daughter,
if we can be of any help, my lord.

What is her name?

She is called Abishag.

And she has healing powers,
you say?

She has healed many
in my village, my lord.

I am Solomon,
son of King David.

This is my half brother,
also King David's son.

If you help him, there will be
a handsome reward, I assure you.

To aid the son of our great king
is reward enough, my lord.

There is an oasis just there.

We'll test your daughter's
healing powers.

Why the fish themselves
do not get sick,

is a great mystery
to me, my lord!

Ah, ah. . .
do not worry, my lord.

Abishag will help
your brother.

My wife offers you
salt fish.

This is my business.
Here--

try it--
I think you will find it pleasing.

Mmm. . .
this is good, Azarel.

But how can you fish
if you can't abide boats?

No, I do not fish myself, my lord.
Never.

I buy from the boats
as they come in the evening.

We work through the night
to salt the fish.

Through the night?

The heat of the day. . .
they must be fresh.

Solomon!

Adonijah!

Are you all right?
Your wounds!?

Nearly painless. . .

Would that I had been
injured before. . .

were I to be touched
by this woman.

Abishag, come out.

Have you ever seen
such a creature?

And her hands,
they are touched by God.

She heals just by. . .
laying on.

Perhaps you'd like
to meet her father. . .?

Azarel ben Asaph
from Jaffa,

meet the recently revived
Adonijah from Jerusalem,

the son of King David
and Haggith.

Sir, I'd like to buy
your daughter.

She's not for sale,
my lord.

Then I'd like
to marry her.

No, my lord.

Hah-- you?!
Married?!

( vendors chattering )

May the King live forever.
Your blessing, Father.

Lord bless you
and keep you.

God make His face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you.

God lift up His countenance to you
and give you peace.

So, the hunt went well?

No, Father.
No game was seen.

Oh. . . so, no tales
to tell, then.

Oh, a tale of near death
to tell.

Wha. . .?

But without the hunt?

Adonijah challenged me
to a race.

An accident?

He was thrown from his chariot
when it overturned.

Is he injured?

That's the most interesting part.
He was hurt, badly.

He was cut, broken,
he passed out. . .

as we were rushing him
here to the court physicians,

but on the way, we met
an old merchant and his family.

( mimicking ) A dealer
in salt fish, O Illustrious One.

Though never have I set foot
on a boat myself.

The motion, Great One,
it brings on the sickness.

Why the fish themselves are not sick
is a mystery to me, my lord.

But then his daughter,
a great beauty,

took Adonijah into their tent
and within an hour,

he was nearly whole.
An amazing cure.

How?

Herbs, and a knowledge
of nature, she says.

Bring her to me, Solomon.

Perhaps she can do something
with this old body.

I will.

Solomon!

Solomon, let me approach her.

- Who?
- The girl you promised to our father.

- You were listening?
- I must have her, let me bring her.

- The king commanded me. . .
- A favor, I beg of you.

Solomon. . .?

- Yes, all right.
- Thank you, Solomon.

Acknowledge them.
It is you they are cheering.

Is it wise to be seen
riding together, Joab?

What could be more natural?
You take an interest in the army,

so you ride with
the general in command.

- But much more important. . .
- Yes?

it shows the army is behind you.
Solomon's a weakling.

You speak harshly of my brother?

Half brother.
With him on the throne,

this country will fall apart
within five years.

Or Bathsheba would rule.

Solomon's mother is not as strong
as she would like to think.

- Stronger than her son.
- So is my eunuch.

Bathsheba doesn't understand
that Israel's strength. . .

lies in her fighting men.
You do,

so the army's behind you.

Look at the people.
They love you.

You are the image
of what a prince should be.

And when the time comes,
and I think it will not be long,

we must strike.
Then, the throne of Israel is yours.

Now, where do we find
this young woman you lust after?

You wait till you see her.

Make way!

Come on! Come on!

I'm Joab, general in charge
of the armed forces of Israel.

You are commanded to present
yourself and your daughter

at the court of King David.

Arise. . .

you are in no danger.

I am Bathsheba, wife of King David,
mother of Solomon.

He tells me your daughter
heals wounds.

Is that true?

It is quite true,
my queen.

I'm not a queen.

He flatters me because he thinks
it will be to his benefit.

What's your name?

He's Azarel ben Asaph of Jaffa,
a seller of salt fish.

And this is his daughter,
Abishag.

Come here, child.

You're beautiful.

So, you're skilled in herbs?

I have some knowledge,
Majesty.

It is our wish that your daughter
remains here to nurse the king.

General Joab,

I'm thankful
for your interest. . .

in bringing
this girl here.

You may go now.

As you wish.

You may all go.

Azarel, come here.

What I am about to tell you
is vital information,

worth much
to the king's enemies.

You love the king?

Israel exists only because
of King David,

for God loves him.

The king's life
is drawing to its close.

Israel is divided,

and only King David
can bring us all together.

That's why I want your daughter
to use all her power. . .

to bring back
the health of King David.

And I promise that
when she will leave,

she will take with her
a dowry fit for a queen,

and she will be
as pure as she is today.

It shall be as you wish.

Good.

So, my dear, we'll prepare you
to meet the king.

David is dying.

Our king is dying.

He will not survive.

And when he dies. . .

who are they going to put
on the throne?

- Solomon.
- Solomon!

And you know as well as I do,
our kingdom will be lost

- with him on the throne.
- That's treason you're talking!

Treason?!

It's our duty
to consider the succession.

But it is the king's will
that Solomon succeed him.

But is it God's will,
Abiathar?

Joab, God's will
and King David's will

are one and the same.

Is it God's will that His kingdom
be governed by a weak man,

without ambition
for himself or his people?

Of course, as priests,

I look to you for guidance
in these matters.

And the army?

Well, naturally,
they'll follow your lead.

And yours, General Joab.

Adonijah should. . .

must be our new king.

But he cannot,
will not, unless you. . .

his newly elected High Priest,
anoint him.

High Priest?

Of course.

Let me explain.

It is essential. . .

that Adonijah be crowned
before David dies. . .

Abishag.

Well, come closer.
Come closer!

There's no need to fear me.

Oh, she makes me wish
I were young again.

But then, my dearest,

so do you.

Do you sing, child?

A little, my Lord King.

Play for your king.

( plays gently )

All is prepared for tomorrow
at the Stone Zoheleth, near Enrogel.

I'll send a company there with food
and wine enough to feast a thousand.

And the priests?

Abiathar is riding there
even now.

It has come to pass.

I n the morning, I'll spread the word
through the marketplace.

This time tomorrow, Adonijah,
you will be King of Israel.

Long live the King.

- Joab?
- My lord?

Oh, Joab, come,
come here.

You summoned me, my lord?

I'm troubled, Joab.

By what?

Memories.

Memories trouble old men.

Your memories should be
of battles won for God,

kingdoms established
in His name.

God's own words
trouble me, Joab.

Now therefore the sword shall
never depart from this house.

Do you remember those words?

Yes.
But that was a long time ago.

You remember the rest
of what God said to me?

No.

You were there, with me.

So I will raise up troubles
against you,

within your own house,
He said.

Within your own house.

Because of our conspiracy,
Joab.

- That was a long time ago.
- Well. . .

You paid a dear price.

- Your firstborn died.
- Bathsheba's. . .

but I gave her another child. . .
Solomon.

Yes, of course.

He will reign when I die,
of course.

Of course.

It is God's will.

Of course.

God's will. . .

Of course.

Please-- close it!
Close!

Close up! Close!
Close up!

Close.

Close up.

- Hey, what's going on?
- Haven't you heard?

They are anointing
the new king,

at the Stone Zoheleth.
Food and drink for everyone.

- New king?
- Adonijah.

- Adonijah?!
- Adonijah!

- But, Solomon. . .?
- Adonijah, I said!

Long live the king!
Don't you agree?

Long live the king.

Close up! Close!
Close! Close up!

Long live the king.

Close!

Close it! Close up!

- What do you have to report?
- You will be shocked to learn.

At the Stone Zoheleth,
this very moment,

Adonijah is being anointed king.

Abiathar and Joab anoint him.

- Thank you. God bless you.
- God go with you.

One who was there
has just ridden to tell me.

Mother. . .?

They are preparing
to anoint Adonijah king.

What?

- Who?
- Joab. The army.

At the altar of Stone Zoheleth.
One who was there just told me.

- And King David?
- He knows nothing about it.

They know
he is too weak.

I would never think
they'd dare.

You must see the king
at once.

Put the palace guard
on full alert.

Our lives are in danger!

Our lives?

Father will annul it.
Just because Adonijah. . .

Oh, Solomon!
Stop being so naive!

They'll cease at nothing!

They have nearly got
the kingdom in their grasp.

But not while I am alive.

You're going to be king
in spite of yourself.

Try to be a man!

More. . .

May the King live forever.

So formal, my love.

Why?
What is it now?

It was always
your promise to me. . .

that Solomon would be
king in your place?

Yes, I made that vow.

Well, today
your son Adonijah. . .

is to be anointed
to be King of Israel.

What?

By whose authority?

With the support of the army,
and much of the priesthood.

Joab?

Even so.

Joab-- Joab has
been loyal for 0 years!

He betrays you at this moment.

Nathan?
Come closer!

Is-- is this all true?

It is, my lord.

He is to make sacrifices and
Abiathar will pour the holy oil.

They are travelling to the altar
of Stone Zoheleth at this moment.

The eyes of Israel are on you
to tell them who shall be their king.

I am their king.

And as I swore to you
by the Lord, the God of Israel,

that your son Solomon
shall succeed me as king,

so shall I swear today.

Zadok?
Does he remain loyal?

He does,
and many other priests.

And the palace guard.

Good.

Nathan, take Zadok. . .

and the other
loyal priests. . .

and the palace guard.

Have Solomon ride on a donkey
from my stables,

not a horse, on my donkey,
and bring him down to Gihon.

And there let Zadok
anoint him king over all Israel.

This is my will.

My king.

( trumpets heralding )

( horn blowing )

( cheering )

You are a witness to history,
my wife.

Today God decides
who is to lead His people.

Two men now claiming
the throne, but I for one,

will follow the choice
of King David.

( cheering and trumpets )

Let the High Prince Adonijah
approach to be anointed king.

Solomon is being
crowned king! Wait!

Stop him!

Stop him!

What is the meaning of this?

Hear me! Wait!

Bring him forward!

Wait! Hear me!
I saw them leave the city!

They are going
to anoint Solomon king!

You lie!
It's not true!

I am anointed by God.

Listen, it's true!

You can see the procession
from that ridge.

Solomon is being anointed king

by a decree
from King David himself.

I'll show you. . .

- Stop!
- Come on!

Wait!

- Stop!
- Come!

I am your king!

I command you to stop!

Look!

I told you!

That is the palace guard.

- And Zadok.
- And Nathan the prophet.

They would act only
on the word of King David.

We've been lied to.

This is no king.

Treason,
that's what it is.

I want no part of it.

Stop! Wait!

I am your king.

Appointed by God!

I command you to stop!

Joab! Stop them!

How?

Use your army!

To do what?

The people fear God
more than they do the army.

Joab!

We lost!

We moved too soon.

Bathsheba beat us.

Too soon?! Lost?

You've killed us!

Probably.

I think that's not
the only sacrificial blood. . .

that will be shed
this day.

What's this?

I will not leave this place.

Go and tell Solomon
I will not leave this place. . .

till he swears
he will not kill me.

Adonijah, come down!

Do as I say!

As you wish,
Your Majesty.

You have proven
your courage once again,

by delivering yourself
to this court. . .

As always,
I serve my king.

Not always, Joab.

You killed Absalom,
my son.

Because he rose
against you, my lord.

I commanded he be dealt with gently,
you struck him down.

I n a victory for your armies,
my lord.

Now you have risen
against me.

No, my lord, never!

Against these, yes. . .

but not against my king.

Then bow to your king.

King Solomon!

As long as you live, Father,
there is only one king in this land.

The penalty
for your actions is death.

Wait, wait, wait.

My judgment is this:

While I live,
you live.

When I'm dead,

your life is in the hands
of your new king.

You're dismissed
from your command.

You're banished
from Jerusalem.

Thank you, my lord.

As always, your judgment
is full of compassion.

Your Majesty. . .

I meant you no harm.

What of Adonijah, General?

He clings to the holy altar,
my lord,

hoping for sanctuary.

Why didn't you
strike him down, General?

He is your son, my king.

And now, Adonijah.

What of him?

It is as you wish, Father.

He's also my son,
Solomon.

I cannot be impartial
in my judgment.

It was you he sought
to harm.

You must judge him.

He is guilty of treason.

The penalty is death.

I meant you no harm.

I swear it! I swear it!

I beg of you, spare me my life,
for the love you once bore me!

Solomon! Solomon!

Our father
showed mercy to Joab,

I shall do
no less for you.

If you prove
a loyal and worthy man,

not one of your hairs
shall fall to the ground.

But if treachery
is found in you. . .

you shall die.

My brothers. . .

and my people,
hear me.

I had planned
to build a house of rest

for the Ark of the Covenant
of the Lord.

But God said to me,

You shall not build
a house for My name,

for you are a warrior,
you have shed blood.

It is your son,
Solomon,

who shall build My house
and My courts.

Solomon, my son,

know the God of your father,
and serve him well,

with a single mind
and willing heart.

For the Lord
has chosen you

to build a house
as a sanctuary.

Be strong, and obey.

These are the plans
for the vestibules,

treasuries, upper rooms
and inner chambers

and all that God wishes
for His house,

as given to me.

My son is young
and inexperienced,

his task is great.

As this shall not
be a temple for mortals,

but for the Lord.

But I have provided,
as far as I was able.

Bring in. . .

( crowd murmurs )

Of my God,
I give to my God.

And I ask you to do the same.

For this shall be
the house of the Lord.

Bless the Lord, our God.

Crowd:
Bless the Lord, our God.

Solomon, Solomon.
Remember, Solomon,

a king must be strong.

If someone bars your way,
he threatens not just you,

but the good of the kingdom
as a whole.

You must cut him down,
like wheat.

Can you do that?
Hmm?

I can, Father.

I should never have granted
the life of Joab.

He served me well,
but he has served you badly.

When I'm dead, kill him.
Just kill him. Kill him.

If he plots with Adonijah,
kill them both.

Kill them.

You must now be king,
Solomon. . .

King!

King Solomon!

King Solomon!

King Solomon! King Solomon!
King Solomon!

Abiathar!

Joab!

So, this is what you do
in exile?

Yes, I've become
a farmer.

Long live
our glorious king!

May he reign
for at least another day!

Come!

Let me offer you some wine.

Good.

There's talk of Solomon
building a temple.

I've heard so.

I should preside as High Priest
when it's finished.

You may yet.

How? Solomon put that ancient
fossil Zadok in my place.

Well, we simply struck too soon.
We should have known. . .

while David is still alive.

But our time will come. . .
the moment he dies.

Solomon, a king.

If I had been in his place,
we'd both be dead men.

And who will you put
in Solomon's place?

Adonijah, of course.

Adonijah?

I thought you despised
his cowardice at the altar.

Even cowards can be useful
at the right moment.

( chuckling )

Did you tell yourself a joke?

For some reason,

a song keeps coming
into my head.

- A song?
- Yes.

You remember I once wrote
a song for the Lord

on the day we were
delivered from Saul?

Of course,
everyone knows it.

For the waves of death
encompassed me,

the torrents of perdition
assailed me,

the cords of Sheol
entangled me,

the snares of death
confronted me.

- So. . .?
- We were so dramatic!

Torrents, snares, waves.

Death is not like that at all.

It was when we were young.

Yes, but now,
it's whispers, not waves. . .

soft currents,
not torrents. . .

and very visible inclines,

not snares.

Don't talk about death.

The decree from of old is,
Thou must surely die!

And kings surely
must have many wives,

but we must not
talk about them.

Like flourishing leaves
on a spreading tree. . .

which sheds some,
and puts forth others,

so are the generations
of flesh and blood.

One dies,
another is born.

Every new creature
decays and ceases to exist.

Talk of death
to your other wives.

I'm only interested in. . .

your beauty,
and your wealth.

Bathsheba. . .

do you know what I fear
from death most of all?

What?

The absence of you.

( dirge horns )

You'll never have her now.

- Joab. . .
- She has status now.

She is no longer the daughter
of a simple salt fish dealer.

She was the favorite
of our greatest king.

I know this, I know this.

And when she is passed along
to Solomon, he'll have her.

Give me peace, Joab.

- What do you want me to do?
- I want you to be king!

Solomon is king!

Well. . .

only till you wrench the crown
from his feeble grasp.

David is dead.

That leaves only
one power in the palace.

Bathsheba.

Bathsheba.

But first we must show the people
that she no longer has. . .

a firm hand on the throne.

How?

If you could take Abishag,
David's favorite,

from under the nose
of the new king,

it would show you're still in the fight.
The people would notice.

She wants me.
I know she does.

Of course she does,
anyone can see that.

How should we do it?

Simple.
Just ask.

Ask?

Demand.

He'll want to placate you.
Solomon's weak,

showing you his mercy,
so that you will join his allies.

And soon you will have. . .

Abishag!

The throne.

( keening )

Thank you
for granting me this audience.

Do you come in peace?

I n peace.

May I speak openly with you?

Go on.

You know,

you know
the kingdom was mine.

And all of Israel
expected me to reign.

But things change.

The kingdom
has fallen to my brother. . .

For it was his,
from the Lord.

So now, I have one request
to make of you.

Please do not refuse me.

Go on.

Please ask Solomon. . .

King Solomon,

for he will not refuse you--

to give me Abishag
as my wife.

Men. . .

This is all you want?

Very well.

I will speak to the king.

Adonijah,

the kingdom was never yours.

It was always,

and will always be--

mine.

God of my father,
and my father's father,

give me strength
and courage

that I may be worthy
of this honorable duty,

and serve you well. . .

for I am weak. . .

and fearful.

Forgive me, Father.

I do not deserve
your throne,

but now I must be king,
as you commanded.

May the King live forever!

Oh, Mother!

Please take. . .

Bring a chair for my mother!

The ruler of Israel
bows to no one, Solomon.

Yes, I can see that.

Come, Mother.
Don't be humble,

take your rightful place.

Thank you for putting me here,
Mother.

I didn't put you here,
Solomon.

Of course you did.

But now that I am here,
I will deserve it.

By God and all His glory,
I will fulfill the destiny of Israel.

I have a request to make.
Do not refuse me.

Make your request, my mother,
for you know I will not refuse you.

Give Abishag to your brother
as his wife.

And why do you ask this
for Adonijah?

Because he came,
as a request.

I tell you so you may
know his mind.

His mind
is to have the throne.

Good, my son.

And so he begins again.

First, he asks
for this maiden,

then next he will ask
for the kingdom!

For he knows that any show
of weakness on my part

will be a demonstration
of his power.

Joab is near to that.

Now therefore as the Lord lives,
who has established me,

and placed me on this throne
of my Father, David,

today. . .

Adonijah and Joab must die!

Hey. . . !

Come back!

Out of my way!
Out of my way!

Move aside!

Traitor!

Get him!

I was to be king.

But you die as a traitor.

I ordered you
to kill him!

But my Lord King,
he's taken sanctuary!

Even now, he's in the Holy
Tabernacle, clinging to the altar!

I don't care where he is!

Strike him down!

Joab?

It's by command of the king.

You are to die.

The king commands
you come out, Joab.

No.

I'll die here.

I beg you,
don't make me kill you there.

I would commit sacrilege.

Which you cannot--

dare not, Benaiah.

I'm not ready to die.

Listen to me!

You know as well as I ,
there's not a man in Israel

fit to rule
in place of King David.

Did you think I believed
Adonijah could truly be a king?!

He was but a pawn.

The people's favorite,
oh, yes,

but ruler of Israel?

And Solomon. . .

that weakling?

To rule over
God's chosen people?

No!

Benaiah. . .

the only real power to rule. . .

lies in the army.

Only the army
can save our nation.

Let Solomon remain king,
yes,

but grant me my life--

and together
we will have the power.

Israel needs the army,
the army needs me. . .

you-- and me.

Together, Benaiah,
we will be the real power

to guarantee Israel's glory.

God's glory!

But the king has commanded!

Bathsheba has commanded!

Solomon is too weak!

You know I'm right,
Benaiah!

Is the mother's command
greater than the will of God?

Well, my friend?

Will you obey the king?

The king's mother?

Or your God?

Aarrgh!

Mighty King. . .

I thank you for your kindnesses
to us and to our daughter.

But what I . . .

I buy a good pearl
when I can,

for my daughter's future,
you understand.

But your bounty has--

has far outshone their worth.

Perhaps--

perhaps they could be used
in the temple.

They're poor things,
I know,

but I give them to you.

To you, Solomon,

and to the great God
we all serve,

the God of Israel.

I accept them
with pleasure.

And may God
keep you all in His hands.

We go!

Now will I prepare
to build Your temple, Lord,

here at the altar of Gibeon.

I'll make sacrifices,

cleanse my heart,

and listen.

Solomon.

Enter, Solomon.

Ask what you will of Me,
Solomon.

I am only as a child,
my Lord.

I do not know how to go out
or come in.

Grant me the wisdom
and knowledge

to righteously rule
this great people of yours.

Because you have not
asked for riches,

or long life,
or the lives of your enemies,

I give you the wisdom
of a clear and discerning mind.

But you must walk
in My ways,

keeping My statutes
and My commandments.

This skirmish was simply
a patrol to test our strength.

Our scouts confirm massed forces
just inside the Egyptian border,

which can mean
only one thing. . .

the new pharaoh, Shishak,
prepares to invade.

Well, if we do have
a war on our hands. . .

God be with us.

Jerusalem--
the Egyptian border-- Tyre.

General Benaiah, I want officers
to ride to every city in Israel,

measuring the distance
in the number of days it takes.

And I want to know the strength
of our army in each city,

foot soldiers, cavalry,
charioteers.

If we must fight, I want to know
what chance we have.

By Royal Decree,
from today,

the Kingdom of Israel and Judah
will be divided into twelve provinces.

I will appoint
a governor over each,

who will be responsible
directly to me,

who will administer
law and order,

and who will oversee
the collection of taxes. . .

( muttering and groaning )

. . .which from today
will be increased by one tenth.

( uproar )

Very impressive,
General Benaiah.

Yes, but they are few compared
to the legions of Egypt.

If they invade,
there'll be many widows in Israel.

When the Egyptians advance,
fall back before them. Don't fight!

Let thirst and the desert
do our fighting for us.

We can only fall back so far,
my lord, before we must fight.

Happily we won't have to.

Your king is to be married,
Benaiah!

A wedding!

I'm arranging to marry
the daughter of the pharaoh!

Let's hope she isn't ugly.

No war!
Peace through marriage!

Our king is
a brilliant statesman!

Long live the king!

Long live Solomon!
Long live Solomon!

( fanfare )

( music plays )

( cheering )

Ah, Nathan!

So, how is married life?

Very pleasant.

Very pleasant, indeed.

The pleasures of the body
are not to be missed, Nathan.

I have chosen to concentrate
on God's love, my lord.

Do you really think He meant you
to deny yourself, Nathan?

He made us this way,
did He not?

Why would He not want us
to taste of the fruit?

God put many things on Earth
we are not to taste, my lord.

If it were not so,
we would not have a free will,

and He would not be God, but
simply the creator of blind animals.

But I have tasted.

And I like it.

You are allowed,
even required, my lord.

But I warn you. . .

be careful not to give
yourself to any woman,

so that she gains. . .
mastery over your strength.

It may be too late, Nathan.
I'm exhausted!

But I have a matter
of some concern.

Speak.

It is rumored that you're allowing
your Egyptian wife

to build a temple
to Amon Ra.

I had to, of course.

It's a political marriage.
It's part of the treaty.

I'm not going to war over one
woman's temple to a foreign god!

It's against God's law.

Does God want war, Nathan?
I think not.

What of your other wives?

I haven't got any other wives.

You may eventually have many.
You grant the same to all of them?

Nathan!

The thought of having many wives
is too terrifying to contemplate.

I can barely satisfy this one.

Nathan. . .

I worship the one true God.

He will understand
even if you will not.

The king must be aware
that any child

from the daughter
of the Pharaoh of Egypt

cannot inherit the thrones
of Israel and J Judah.

I am perfectly
aware of that, Zadok.

But the council
must also be aware that

there are other reasons for marriage
than just the begetting of heirs.

I married the pharaoh's daughter
to avert war and bloodshed.

- But my lord. . . !
- Zadok. . .

in future, be advised that
I will marry to consolidate my lands

and to promote trade.

I will marry to insure peace
with my allies,

to discomfort my enemies
and to please myself.

And I assure you. . .

that I will marry to beget
heirs to the throne. . .

when I am ready!

Is it always like this?

Oh, I find fathers
always survive the ordeal.

A boy!

Oh, a fine Jewish boy.

I shall call him Rehoboam,

as a sign that the people
of Israel shall multiply.

Mother, meet the heir
to the throne of David.

Shh. . .

A boy!

A boy!

The King has a boy!

( murmuring )

The purchaser of the horse
claims he was not told. . .

of the vicious nature
of the beast.

Yet in the terms of the contract,
he was perfectly at liberty

to try the animal
before offering payment,

or accepting delivery.

The seller has the right
to remain silent

and let the buyer find
any fault he can.

It is the buyer's fault
if he does not do so.

The buyer must pay
full price.

- Thank you, my lord.
- Thank you, my king.

Zadok, why are there
so many people here today?

There is great interest
in the next case, my lord.

It came before the Provincial
Governor of Gilead.

Old Bengeber?

The facts are simple,
but the case, very complex.

Your judgment
is eagerly awaited.

( rapping staff )

my Lord King--

the facts of this case. . .

are well established,
and are not in dispute.

The two petitioners share a house
on the outskirts of Gilead,

where they ply their trade
as prostitutes.

Some six months ago,
one gave birth,

and shortly thereafter,
the second did likewise.

Both had boy children.

This dispute arose
after one of the babies died.

You may each state your case.

You go first,
you lying cow.

Then I'll tell the truth.

Well, we each have
our own room--

Are you a citizen
of this country?

Yet you show no respect
to your king?

Now, rise--

state your name
and the facts as you see them.

My name is Basemah.

It was just us in the house.

Us and our babies.

I'd gone to bed
with little Joachim.

- That's his name. . .
- Michael!

- Michael is his name!
- Silence!

Me and Joachim. . .

went to sleep.

And I'd given him
a good meal,

and he was
a happy little baby.

Well, that pig must have rolled
on her baby. . .

and killed him,

because when I woke up,
there was her baby beside me. . .

dead. . .

and my Joachim was gone.

- Liar!
- Silence!

- A mother knows her own baby!
- That is my baby!

Silence!

I'd pick him out
from a thousand!

What is your name?

Hannah, my lord.

Tell your story, Hannah.

It's a pack of lies!

She's clumsy enough
to smother her own child,

and thinks she can get away
with claiming mine!

That's my Michael!

And no woman,
or man on earth--

is going to take him
away from me--

Your Majesty.

That is for the King
to decide.

Was no midwife present?

No, my lord.

Lay the child on that table.

My judgment is this--

since both women
claim the living child

and neither
claim the dead child,

it is therefore fair that they
should share the living child.

So, I will cut
the child in half.

( pleading and outcries )

Spare my baby!

Don't kill him!

She can have him.

God bless this child. . .

Crowd:
God bless this child.

. . .and his children's children.

Crowd:
And his children's children.

And most of all. . .

his true mother.

Crowd:
Solomon! Solomon!

( chanting continues )

He spoke to the crowd
and said,

It is my judgment that both
women should share the child.

This is not wise.
A child cannot have two mothers.

They will fight
and ruin its childhood.

He took the baby,
laid it on a table,

drew a sword
from a nearby soldier. . .

and what do you think
he did?

I don't know.
Killed one of the mothers?

He raised the sword
over the baby

and declared he was going
to cut it in half!

Brilliant!

When the real mother saw
he was going to kill the baby,

she ran forward. . .

and screamed for the baby
to be saved. . .

. . .even if it meant giving
the baby to the other woman!

Exactly, my queen!

Brilliant!

Back to work! Back to work!

Who is the idiot who is
stopping the men from working. . .?

Rehoboam, my son,
I want you to meet the man

who is in charge of all the building
of this magnificent temple to God.

The finest architect
in the world,

Hiram of Naphtali.

Say,
Rise, Hiram of Naphtali.

Rise,
Hiram of Naphtali.

Accept the apology of the idiot
who stopped your men from working.

Back to work. Back to work,
the idiot is leaving!

( laughter )

I am very sorry,
Your Majesty.

It is I who should apologize.

I was having too much fun.

Kings are not supposed
to have fun.

- All goes well?
- Yes, Your Majesty.

My men work hard
and your people learn fast.

I n a year or so, I'll be able
to send some of my foremen home,

and they can be replaced
by your men.

- Excellent.
- Some water?

Yes, thank you.

Your Majesty,
may I be permitted a question?

Of course.

This temple,

it will really be for God?
God will live there?

Yes, Hiram,
God will live there.

But can God
live on earth?

That's an interesting question,
Hiram.

Can God live on earth?

Well, even heaven cannot
contain God,

much less this house
that you are building.

But God said,
My name shall be there,

that you may heed the prayer your
servant prays towards this place.

I believe God wants us
to have a place to look towards,

a place where we know
He hears our prayers.

So you must do
your best work, Hiram.

God has said this house
shall stand forever.

- Forever?
- Forever!

I shall try my best,
Your Majesty.

Who will oversee the men of Israel
once your men are departed, Hiram?

Why. . .
I shall, Your Majesty.

The men of Israel don't work well
under foreign leadership.

Don't be offended.
They're a difficult bunch.

You have an Israeli working for you
who's industrious and able?

One you can trust?

Jeroboam.

Jeroboam!

Rise.

Hiram of Naphtali says that
you're clever, hard working

and able to lead men.

- This is true, Hiram?
- It is, Your Majesty.

I'm going to take
his recommendation. . .

and put you in charge of all
of the laborers, starting today.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Make sure they work hard.

This is God's house
you're building.

- The Temple will need musicians. . .
- Yes, my lord.

I want only the best,
the most skilled.

And also the men who
make the instruments. . .

It will also be a school where
all arts and sciences are taught.

My children!

Enough! Enough!

Come and show your father
what you've learned.

Come on.

( clapping )

Turn.

Every one of my wives,

every one of them says
that you are an old lizard,

and you're not putting
their child in the front row,

or heeding their child's
particular talent--

Silence.
Watch the dance.

Wives. . .

I wish I could
cut some of them in half.

You are a fool
to have so many wives.

I like women, Mother.

Moses said a man shouldn't
acquire many wives,

or else his heart turns away.

But I'm not a man,
I'm a king!

Moses was talking
about a king.

No, keep together!

No, no, no!
The left foot!

I've told you
and told you and told you,

you do not go beyond that circle
before you start to turn!

Oh, no-- Oh!

The queen!
Oh, no!

( laughing )

Mother!

Mother!

David, my love?

No, Mother,
it's your son.

Solomon.

Of course.

My mind is wandering. . .

ahead of my body.

Solomon,

do you remember. . .

the psalm. . .

David wrote
after he sinned with me?

Do good to Zion. . .

in your good pleasure. . .

. . .and rebuild
the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will delight in
the right sacrifices, burnt offerings.

Then bulls will be offered
on your altar.

Bulls will be offered
on your altar,

Solomon.

( sobbing )

Who's there?

Can I help you, Majesty?

Did you see me fall?

Fall? No, no, of course not,
Your Majesty.

Of course you saw me fall,
but your diplomacy is appreciated.

Who are you?

Jeroboam, Your Majesty.
You appointed me over the. . .

Yes, yes, yes, I remember,
over the laborers.

Come and help me.

Is it permitted?

Of course it isn't.

If the priests catch us,
they'll stone us both.

Now get in here!

Now, come and boost me up.

I want to polish
the eyes of the cherubim.

Jeroboam, if the king wishes
to polish the eyes of the cherubim,

don't question him, help him polish
the eyes of the cherubim.

- Right?
- Yes, of course, Your Majesty.

Come on!

It is one of the duties
of the king. . .

to polish the eyes
of the cherubim.

Give me your arm.
Didn't you know that?

- No, Your Majesty.
- Oh, yes. Solemn duty.

Then why do you have to sneak
past the priests to do it?

Oh-hh!

Your king is crazy,
Jeroboam.

But only you know this.

Guard the secret
with your life.

I'm afraid it's too late, Your Majesty.
The secret's out.

( laughing aloud )

Arise, O Lord.
Let Your enemies be scattered.

Let those that hate Thee
flee from before Thee!

( fanfare )

Praise the Lord,
God of Israel!

He has kept all His promises
made to the king, my father.

And I , in turn,
have kept my vows,

both to God
and to my father.

The people of Israel
have built this Temple,

as a dwelling place
for the God Most High

and as a resting place for this
Holy Ark of the Covenant.

It is fitting that the laws given to
Moses by the Lord God Himself

should be kept forever
in His house.

Grant, Lord God,

that we keep Your laws,

and please You
in all that we do,

both from this day,
and forever more.

I pray You,

look kindly on this place
and make it a house of prayer

for all nations
and all peoples.

( thunder )

( festive music )

Why downcast?

On this of all days?

It's not easy to put
into words, Jeroboam.

If Solomon can't,
no one can.

Seven years.

Seven years
with one object,

one ambition, one dream,

and now it is finished.

What else is there
for me to do?

I have not the wisdom
to answer such a question,

but my answer
would be. . .

to continue
to serve God.

( music and clapping )

Abishag.

Abishag.

My Lord King!

I don't believe it. . .

Please. I'd rather
no one knew who I was.

How are you?

Well, my lord.

And your parents?
Are they here?

Of course.

The whole world is here.
Nothing would keep my father away.

My husband, my two children,
we are all here.

You are married?
How wonderful.

Would you honor us
with your presence?

Nothing would give me
more pleasure.

Where's your tent?

Here. . .

Oh, these are fine children.

They're a credit
to you both.

I'd love to give them something,
but I brought nothing with me.

Nothing, Great One?

Your blessing would be worth
more than gold.

Dear Lord,
bless these children.

Keep them safe
in Your hands.

May you prosper like
your noble grandfather. . .

and may you be as beautiful
and pure in spirit as your mother.

Lovely children.

Go, now.
Go, go, go, go.

Your Majesty,
if I may,

there is one little thing,

Great King,

hardly worth mentioning,
really.

- The pearls I gave you. . .
- Of course! I'm glad you asked.

I had them used as the eyes
of the two great cherubim

that guard the Ark
of the Covenant.

My pearls. . .

are in the Temple?

They look down
on the Ark of God?

For all time,
if God wills it.

Then I have not lived
my life without purpose.

I can go happily
to my grave.

Azarel,

will you do me a favor?

Anything in my power.

Lend me a horse until dawn.
I want to ride out into the desert.

I have only
a donkey outside.

The horses are stabled
some distance away.

A donkey will do.

A donkey?
A king on a donkey?

Kings have ridden on donkeys before,
and I'm sure they will again.

Well, then he is yours,
Magnificence,

for as long as you wish.
Keep him.

J just until dawn.

I have heard your prayer,
Solomon.

I'll grant your wish that I live
in the Temple you have built for Me.

As for you, if you follow My laws,
as did your father, David,

then I will be with you
until the end of your days.

But if you turn away from Me
and serve other gods but Me,

then I will destroy the Temple
that you have built for Me.

Who are you?

What are these
magnificent beasts?

Where are you going?

Hello?

Hello?
May I present myself?

I'm King Solomon,
the King of Israel.

Actually, it's true.
I am the King of Israel.

Where are you going?

To Jerusalem.

Ride ahead
and tell your king

that the Queen of Sheba
is coming.

Thank you.
I'll be sure to tell the king.

( chattering )

( processional music plays )

Jeroboam, do you think
she is beautiful?

I certainly hope so.
You've asked me a hundred times

in the last hour.

( trumpets sound )

I'm King Solomon
of Israel and J Judah.

I bid you welcome on behalf
of all of my countrymen.

The fame of King Solomon
has spread like a rising tide,

even as far
as Axum and Saaba.

I have crossed the desert
for many months

to bathe in the ocean
of his wisdom.

And to see his considerable
skills on a donkey.

I am Makida,
Queen of Sheba.

( reeds and drums play softly )

They please you?

Hmm, yes, very much.

We-- we have no tradition here
of dances like these.

But they're beautiful.

They are yours.

- Mine?
- I brought them for you.

A riddle for you,
Your Majesty.

How can you see
through sand?

You mean across sand?

No, through sand, Your Majesty.
These are made from sand.

How?

Heated until it becomes liquid,
then cooled into thin sheets

with air from the lungs.

What is it called?

Glass.
From Phoenicia.

Fabric from I India.

Beautiful!

Precious wood. . .

- also from I India.
- Hmmm, it smells wonderful.

Peaches, oranges, figs,

cheese. . .

lentils, millet. . .

hmmm. . . fine herbs. . .

ah. . . salt
from the Dead Sea. . .

very good
in small amounts.

Deer, roebuck, gazelle,

this is game fowl,

look at those. . .

This. . .
this is my favorite,

fatted goose from Egypt.

Have you ever tasted goose,
Your Majesty?

Never.

Mmm. . .

Oh, you must try this.

This is the sweetest thing
you have ever tasted.

Sugar cane
from the Nile.

Very good.

But not as sweet
as my sugar cane.

You've tasted this before?

My country
is on the Nile.

It is a very long river,
Your Majesty.

We have grown sugar cane
since the beginning of time.

Is this a shrine to Astarte?

It is.

How can this be allowed?
You worship your one God.

We're a trading nation.

Merchants come
from all over the world.

If they couldn't worship their gods,
they'd go somewhere else.

How strange. . .
to put trade before faith.

Now you sound
like my priests!

Something is wrong
with the fruit?

Nothing.
J just an ant.

J just an ant ?

You should consider them.

I've learned much
from watching ants.

You watch the ants?

Oh, yes,
it's fascinating!

We think the lion
the king among beasts,

but what does he do?
He finds his lair,

he does not build it.

And he would rather sleep
while his lioness does the hunting.

But the ant builds
his own city.

They have their ruler,
their soldiers

and they all work together
for the common good.

Oh, we would do well
to study the ants.

But I wish they'd find
their own food!

Joseph taught us all

that forgiveness
is God's way.

Even if you have been wronged,

you must look to God,

to know what He would
have you do, hmm?

Now, who remembers
the fourth commandment?

Ready. . . begin!

Honor your father and mother,
so that your days may be long

in the land that the Lord
your God has given you.

Sisi. . .

Oh, Baladona,

Hezezia,

Lezia,

Johanan. . .

Do you know them all
by name?

If I forget, their mothers
soon remind me.

And they all worship your God
even though their mothers do not?

Yes, especially my sons.

One day,
I must choose a successor.

Not the eldest?

That's not our law.

I was not the eldest
and my father chose me.

And I am certain that
he made the right choice.

He loved my mother,
above all his other wives.

So love
made you a king.

Well, there are worse ways
of choosing.

A king's heart is a stream
of water in the hands of the Lord.

He turns it
wherever He will.

( restless grumbling )

The waters
do not belong to you.

Neither do they belong
to you.

They belong to God.

Do I lay claim to the air
you are breathing now?

Is it mine since
it is within my chamber?

You will both lose your share
of the water for one month.

You will not be allowed
to use the water for any purpose.

Perhaps this will remind you to thank
God for what he has given you.

Next case.

The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of knowledge.

Keep the Lord's commandments
and teachings

as the apple of your eye.

Train your children well
so when old they will not fail you.

And he who loves discipline,
loves knowledge.

He who hates to be rebuked
is stupid.

Also, those who belittle
another lack sense.

And the righteous know
the needs of their animals.

Only the wicked
are cruel.

A soft answer
turns away wrath.

The beginning of strife
is like a leak of water,

so stop before
the argument begins.

And remember,

the wise man remains silent,

so even fools who keep quiet
can be considered wise!

( laughter and applause )

I have another riddle
for you.

What are the eight things
that the Lord hates the most?

Hmm. . .
Let me see. . .

Hate. . .

deceit,

hypocrisy?

Haughty eyes.

Two.

A lying tongue.
Three.

Hands that shed
innocent blood.

Five.

A heart that devises
wicked plans.

Six.

And feet that run
towards evil.

Eight.

The report that I heard. . .

in my own land
of your accomplishments

and of your wisdom was true.

Not even half
has been told to me.

Blessed be the Lord your God,
Who has delighted in you

and set you upon
the throne of Israel.

And the reports of your beauty and
grace fall far short of the truth.

Did you swim as a boy?

Yes, of course.

Do you still swim
now that you're king?

- Sadly, never.
- Hmm.

Time again.

I called upon God. . .

and the spirit of wisdom
came to me.

But in you there is
an understanding,

clear. . .

undefiled, plain,

loving the thing
that is good.

You see
as only a woman can.

A mirror
to God's goodness.

You are the queen
to my king.

I've sought you ever since
I was a youth,

without knowing
what it was I was seeking.

Solomon. . .

more than anything else
in the world,

I want to bear you a son.

Then our minds are as one.

More than anything else
in the world, I want to marry you.

Do you imagine that
I haven't thought about it?

Would you give up
your kingdom for me?

Israel is more than
a kingdom.

It is a Faith.

It has been called
by God to do great things.

Yes, I have come
to realize that.

Isn't the position
already. . .

rather crowded?

They are nothing.

You are everything.

Solomon, I cannot abandon
my people forever.

A crown is like. . .

a seam of gold.
There are always those who seek it.

One day,
I will have to return.

But a boy from you. . .

that promises us
a whole year together.

You shall have your year.

And I will. . .

be your wife.

Yes. . .

I will.

( applause )

Oh, my love!

How much better are
your kisses than wine.

Oh, my love. . .

the scent of your body. . .

is sweeter than all the spices
of the earth.

My lord!

Not now, Jeroboam.
I'm late to meet my queen.

They sent me
to speak for them.

Who sent you?

The elders,
the officers of the court.

They say we are friends.
They say you will listen to me.

Very well. What is it?

Say it!

The ship of state needs
someone at the steering oar.

What does that mean,
Jeroboam?

There are matters
which demand your attention. . .

other than
the Queen of Sheba's thighs.

How dare you?!

No one speaks to me
like that!

Get out! Get out!

Jeroboam!

I apologize.

It is too easy for a king
to avoid criticism.

Say your speech.

Taxes. . . forced labor.

The people would endure it
while the Temple was being built.

The Temple is finished.
The taxes should also cease.

You should show yourself
in the provinces.

Popularity is a fickle thing.
It could leave you.

And finally, your crown depends
on the love of the people.

And, may I add,
on the love of God.

You have served Him
well in the past,

but is that a surety for now,
for the future?

Jeroboam, listen to me,

and listen to me carefully.

I love her,

above duty, above health.

I choose her over light.

Because the light that radiates
from her never dims.

She is my missing arm,
no--

she's my entire body.

She's what I've always wanted
without ever knowing my wants.

She is the breath of God.

Solomon--

she's a woman.

Exactly.

Oh, oh, feel. . .

It's a boy. . .

I am sure,
the way he kicks-- ooh!

he will be
a great athlete.

My love,

I have something to ask you,
but I am at a loss for words.

You?

The wisest of the wise?
Ask.

If it is a boy,
I want him to be my heir,

King of Israel and J Judah.

But. . .

you've promised it
to Rehoboam.

He is to be your heir.

U unless I decide otherwise.

And I do.

Stay here with me.

We will raise
a mighty King, strong, wise,

whose voice will be heard
throughout the land,

proclaiming
the righteousness of the Lord.

( baby cries )

I knew it!

A boy! A boy!

A king!

I shall call you Menelik,
the Chosen One.

Thank you, God!
Thank you!

( laughing )

No!
It is out of the question!

It's outrageous that you could
even contemplate such an act.

The throne is mine! I have a right
to choose my successor!

No!
The choice is not yours!

It must be ratified by God through
the High Priest and the Council!

King David chose me
above all his sons,

- younger or older!
- He chose you, yes!

But you were not made king until
anointed by the High Priest Zadok.

Then and only then
you became king. True?

Yes, yes, I went through
the usual formalities. . .

Usual formalities ?

You make one of the most
sacred acts of our faith. . .

sound like a blessing
before dinner!

She is not of our faith!

I don't know
who she worships,

but it is not
the one true God.

She wishes
to embrace our faith.

You know the law.

She must be one of us!

Raised and born
in fear of the living God!

My friend,
force your will on this. . .

and you will lose
your crown.

There would be a revolution.

Well?

The King,
may he live forever,

knows the law.

Neither I ,
nor any priest in Israel

would dare anoint the son
of the Queen of Sheba as heir.

That is the Holy Law,

and even kings
must live and die by it.

That is your final word?

It is the Holy Law.

Don't ask.

Please.
Please stay.

- To join your 7 00 wives?
- Never!

I am the queen of my country.
My son is the heir.

I have been blinded
by my love for you,

but now they have let me see.

At first, I was a curiosity.

- Now I am a hated stranger.
- Never hated!

You can rule your people,
Solomon,

but you cannot command them
to love me. . .

or our son.

This city will be
a tomb without you.

It was never possible,
Solomon.

Never.

But I only began to live. . .

the day that I saw you
on that donkey.

I am King Solomon.
Who are you?

I am the woman who
will love you forever.

Our son,
our son will have a crown.

He will rule my kingdom.

And, Solomon,

I want him to rule under your God,
Whom I intend to make mine.

When I leave,

I would like to take some men
learned in your faith. . .

to instruct our son.

I will do better than that,

since he is to be denied
his right to rule here.

You and I will build
a new Jerusalem,

a new Israel in your land.

I will send the priests,
architects,

and settlers and soldiers,

and riches enough for him
to rule in splendor.

Then I will give him
another name.

I will call him David,
in honor of your father.

Drop your arms
from around me.

No, I cannot,
I cannot.

You must.

You must do this for me,
or I can never leave.

I cannot, I cannot.

You are the king.

You must do
what God has ordained.

You must give your life
to your country.

You are my life.

And Israel is your country.
She must come first.

Drop your arms
from around me. . .

and let me go.

Look at them. More gold!

Six hundred talents of gold,
I've heard tell.

Six hundred?!

That is a whole year of taxes
for the entire country!

He's gone mad!

You never know
what a man will do

when he starts thinking
with his groin.

Look at them!

Our finest citizens,
commanded to relocate.

I don't pay taxes to pour
into some hole in Africa!

Why are we still
paying these taxes?

I thought once
the Temple was built. . .

That's why!

What is this?

Gold cups!

I want nothing but gold!

Ahh. . .

gold.

Good.

Do you know why
it is good, Jeroboam?

Because one man goes deep
into the earth to dig it up,

another man melts it
to make it pure,

another shapes it
into a cup,

and another etches
a beautiful design upon it.

Why?

So the king can have
the very best. That is why.

All is vanity.

Solomon--

All things are wearisome,
Jeroboam,

more than one can express.

The eye is not satisfied
with the seeing,

the ear is not filled
with the hearing.

Yet, there is nothing new
under the sun.

Solomon!

I applied my mind
to seek and search out wisdom

and it is an unhappy business
that God has given human beings,

for all is vanity.

You have acquired
much wisdom, Solomon.

Much wisdom
is much vexation!

Those who increase in knowledge
increase in sorrow.

That is not true.

No? I said to myself,
Come, Solomon,

make a test of pleasure,
enjoy yourself.

I searched with my mind
how to. . .

how to cheer my body
so that I might see. . .

what it was that mortals
should do under heaven

in the few days
of their lives.

Vanity!

I made great works.

I have great possessions,
delights of the flesh--

whatever my eye desires,
I did not keep from them.

Vanity!

Solomon, you are a king
to your people.

What happens to the fool
will also happen to the king.

All come from dust,
to dust all shall return.

Why, then, do I have
to be so wise?

Vanity.

You gave us the Temple.
Solomon--

The Temple I must leave
to those who come after.

Who knows whether
they will be wise or foolish?

It is not for them,
it is for me. Vanity!

Jeroboam, what do mortals get
from all the toil and strain?

All our days
are full of pain.

Even at night,
our minds do not rest.

This is also vanity.

It is God's will.

Oh, God's will!

Every time a question is asked
that cannot be answered,

someone always says,
It is God's will!

I believe God's will
is already written.

Man has nothing
to do with it.

There is a season
for everything,

and a time for every purpose
under the heavens--

all God's iron will.

A time to be born,
a time to die,

a time to kill,
a time to heal,

a time to weep,
a time to laugh,

a time to dance. . .

a time to mourn.

God's will?

Business that God has given
to everyone just. . .

just to keep them busy!

But we cannot know God.

We cannot find out what God has
done from the beginning to the end.

Because what is,
already has been,

and what is to be,
already is.

Vanity is all there is.

The more words,
the more vanity.

The race is not to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong,

nor bread to the wise,
nor riches to the intelligent,

but time and chance
happen to them all.

Mere chance.

Belief otherwise is vanity.

I believe in God.

Jeroboam, remember your Creator
in the days of your youth,

before the days
of troubles come,

for the years draw near,
faster than you think,

when you will say,

I have no pleasure.

When strong men are bent,

the golden bowl is broken,

and the breath returns
to God Who gave it.

Vanity of vanities.

All is vanity.

The king is here.
He's here.

Quickly.

Welcome,
my husband and King.

Is the great goddess Ashtoreth
answering your prayers?

She doesn't have
to answer our prayers.

She grants us children and cares
for our loved ones in the afterlife.

They shine down on us
each night.

Make an offering
to the Mother of us all.

No, no, no,
I worship the one true God.

Make an offering for the Mother
of true love and your children,

for the love
you have shown me.

I am deeply divided
within myself.

Solomon is my anointed king,

but I worship the true God,

and He will be
my judge at my life's end.

That is why
I have come.

I have seen
with my own eyes

our king worshipping
this pagan goddess.

Jeroboam, you are not the first
to tell us of these things.

There has been
another ambush.

I know,
the taxes from Ephrian.

Who stole them?

Probably by the very men
who paid those taxes.

Zadok, men are starving.
Their families are starving.

They spit the king's name.

Oh, Solomon!

We must convince him
to lift their burden.

I will have an audience
with him.

Meanwhile,

keep good watch on him,

for his own sake. . .

and for the whole kingdom.

. . .who rules
over the universe,

without you,
the river will not open.

Merciful lady,
hear us.

Oh, mother
of the fruitful breast. . .

who rules
over the universe,

without you,
the river will not open. . .

It is written that
the children of Israel

should beware of marrying
outside the faith.

For those women will turn your heart
away from the one true God.

Much is written.
Little is understood.

You give sacrifices to gods
that all true believers

know to be obscene
and wicked.

Great Solomon,

if you persist
in your worship of false gods,

you will bring God's anger
on your own head

and onto all this land
of Israel and J Judah.

I study the world!

It is possible to learn
from the false as well as the true!

God has given me the gift of wisdom
and I shall use it as I see fit!

Now you stick to the tasks that God
and I have given you, Zadok,

and I will stick to mine.

Self-righteous fools!

They know the law and
they know you are breaking it.

It was I who was given
the gift of wisdom,

by God Himself,
not those doddery old windbags.

They are God's
representatives on earth.

I am God's representative
on earth!

I am His anointed.

What business is it of theirs

if I show a tolerance
to foreign gods?

Building temples to them
is more than showing tolerance!

What do you know?
You are a laborer.

This laborer

thinks you should take
one of your secret walks.

( laughter )

On a hill,
not far from my farm--

you can see it from my sheep pens--
an altar to Chemosh.

I keep my woman and kids inside
under lock and key

when they're about.

Disgusting!
Shouldn't be allowed.

And you know who I saw up there?
The King himself!

Yes, it's true!
With his fancy women.

All over them, he was.
Yes, dearest. No, dearest.

They're all over the place,
these altars,

like a plague of boils.

- Hah!
- Let's go and pull it down.

I mean it.
Who's going to stop us?

Who'd disagree with us?

You fools!

I'm no fool!

All of you!
You're all fools!

Israel is surrounded
by goddess worshipers,

every other country. . .

and it's not only
the king's wives, is it, hmm?

Many other citizens make secret
offerings at those same altars.

- There is only one true God!
- How do you know? Hmm?

This is how I know,
pagan!

Hey, what's going on?
Stop it!

Stop it!
Stop it!

He's right,
and you know it.

Sidon, you caught your wife
not ten days ago offering up. . .

Yes,
and I beat it out of her.

She'll never worship
false gods again.

Hebrews have been worshipping the
goddess Ashtoreth for generations!

Thou shall have
no other gods before me.

Get out! Get out!

Let's make sure!
Let's knock it down!

Get out!

- Thank you!
- Get out!

I believe in only one God!
Always will!

I carry nothing.

You carry a heavy burden of wrongs
against the one true God.

Because you have turned against Me
and not kept covenant with Me,

I will tear your kingdom from you,
and give it to your servant.

For your father, David's sake,
while you live, you shall rule.

But when you die,
I will divide the kingdom.

I will give your son one tribe,
but the rest will I tear from him.

Thus speaks the Lord,
your God.

Leave me alone!

Where are you going?

I will have you if I want you,
and I do want you.

Let me pass.

Hey!

- What do you think you're doing?
- Leave me alone!

- You leave her alone!
- I'm the son of the King! Rehoboam!

- I don't care who you are.
- Let him go!

He is who he says he is.

He insulted my daughter.
I don't care who he is.

Give him over to my care.
I will see the King hears of this.

I will see justice done.

I hope you will accept
this as a fair recompense.

Thank you, my lord.
You are generous.

- But I still think I'm ruler. . .
- Leave it to me.

I will see that justice is done.

Solomon, you must speak
with Rehoboam.

He's a disgrace to you!

He's young, and I was just
like him at that age.

No. Where you were proud,
he is arrogant.

Where you were wise,
he is opinionated.

Where you used your powers
for the common good,

he abuses them.

You cared about the people,
he cares only for himself.

Every generation thinks
their sons and their daughters

are worse behaved
than they were.

- It is the way of the world.
- It isn't our sons and daughters!

It's you!

You brought the kingdom
of Israel and J udah to a pinnacle.

- We were the envy of the world!
- Nothing's changed.

Everything has changed!

You have abandoned God
and God will abandon you!

Zadok warned you
on his deathbed!

The priests
have warned you.

For all I know,
God Himself has warned you.

And still the false gods
defile our land like the plague!

I would allow no other man
to speak to me like this, Jeroboam.

Then hear me!
It is not too late.

You made me superintendent
of the northern provinces!

There is much anger there.
If they should break away,

it would be the end
of everything.

Israel would again be nothing more
than a few wandering tribes.

Then I suggest you go there
to rule them,

before I do something
I might regret!

Go on. Go.

Yes, I will go.

But not to the office
of your court.

And what does this mean,
Jeroboam?

It means. . .

I will not be a part
of your heathen ways.

I'm separating myself
from your government,

as you have separated yourself
from the one true God.

Rebellion?

Is this rebellion from the man
I raised from a common laborer?

Call it what you like.

I cannot follow a King
who does not follow his God.

I will follow any god I wish!

I learn from other gods.

And I will rule as my mind
and my heart tell me!

And I shall do it all. . .

without the hand-wringing
cretins of the court!

Do you hear me?

Ah, Jeroboam.

Come, eat.
I've been waiting for you.

You know my name?

Who are you?
Did the King send you?

Not the King you mean.

I'm Ahijah, from Shiloh.

I serve our God,
as I know you do also.

Some say I am a prophet.

- And are you?
- Perhaps.

Perhaps I hear God
more clearly than most.

Oh, I have a message for you.

It's strong new cloth.
Have you a knife?

Good. Come.

These twelve pieces of my cloak
represent the twelve tribes of Israel.

This is God's word to you.

Solomon has broken his laws,
and worshipped false gods.

You have not.

So, thus speaks
the God of Israel. . .

he will take the kingdom away
from Solomon's son, Rehoboam,

and give it to you--
that is, the ten tribes.

Now he will give the tribe
of J udah to Rehoboam,

so that his servant,
David,

will always have a lamp
before him in Jerusalem.

Do you understand?

Good.

Now, I must be on my way.

Keep God's law,

and He will keep faith
with you. Come.

Come.

Where are you going?

To deliver the last
two pieces of my cloak.

Come on!

God would do this?

I'm simply His messenger.

I should have you killed. . .

I know it's sometimes the custom
to kill the messenger

who bears bad news,

but the messenger from God?

I would think carefully.

Guard! Guard!

Start a search.

I want Jeroboam found
and killed.

He must not escape.

A thousand measures of gold

to the man who brings
me back his body.

Oh, Lord, Lord!

Oh, Lord!

( weeping )

A gift from Ahijah,
the Shilonite.

Keep that, too.

Now ride for Egypt.
Your life is in grave danger.

Stay there until you hear
that Solomon is dead.

Ride for your life!

Where is my son?

Where is Rehoboam?

Rehoboam,

my days draw to an end.

And I have. . .

been a fool.

Listen to me, my son,
listen to me.

Fear God. . .

and keep
His commandments.

I understand you,
Father.

Deal wisely
with the tribes. . .

Don't worry, Father.

I know how
to deal with them.

No! No!

( choking )

( applause )

Well. . .

I've come to be anointed
as your King.

Have you lost your tongues?

( uproar )

You!

Your father broke
God's Holy Law

and His punishment
has fallen on His people.

They groaned
under Solomon's taxes.

They bled under the lash
of his forced labor.

They will tolerate
these things no longer.

Crowd:
Yes, yes!

They want your word,

there will be no more
forced labor,

and the taxes
will be fair!

Crowd:
Yes, yes!

Otherwise, they refuse
to become your subjects.

They refuse?

I will discuss these
matters with my council.

We'll meet again in three days.

I beg you, my lord,

consider carefully.

Your noble father always
preferred peace to war.

Of all wars that can
be waged, the worst,

the most bloody,
is a civil war.

It would be the end
of the kingdom.

( uproar )

You are King!

Any sign of weakness,
if you give way to their demands,

they will walk over you
like cattle over a meadow!

I say, stand firm!

Why listen
to these old graybeards?

( applause )

I have heard the young men
of J udah.

They acknowledge me King.

As for you,

you thought
my father's yoke was heavy?

Wait until you feel mine.

You thought my father's taxes
too high.

Mine will crush you.

How dare you speak out
against your lawful King?

My father chastised you
with whips,

I shall use scorpions!

I am your King!

This finger is thicker
than my father's thigh!

( muttering )

That is your final word?

I have nothing more to say.

So be it.

You have heard your King!

Will you serve him?

Crowd:
No!

Then we are no longer one nation!
The prophesy was true.

The glory of Solomon
is gone forever.

The prophesy was indeed true.

Jeroboam ruled
the ten tribes of Israel.

Only the tribe of J udah
remained loyal to Rehoboam.

But Solomon's prayer
was answered.

For 0 years,
the Temple remained a place. . .

where God and His people
would come together,

where He would hearken
to the prayers of mankind. . .

and forgive.