Absalom's Demise

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on The Chosen People... The elderly general slowly approached, his white beard glowing orange from the firelight. He was a regal-looking man, sturdy and stately. Ahithophel, the grandfather of Bathsheba. 00:00:19 Speaker 2: What do you want, Absalom? 00:00:21 Speaker 3: The same thing you want, Ahithophel. 00:00:24 Speaker 4: David off the throne. My king, arise! They're coming for you! 00:00:31 Speaker 5: What is the meaning of this? 00:00:33 Speaker 4: Absalom, the people have turned. They chant his name in the streets. He has declared himself king. 00:00:41 Speaker 1: Are you going to fight them? 00:00:42 Speaker 4: No. 00:00:43 Speaker 5: I'll not see Jerusalem become a field of civil war. That's what Absalom wants. We flee now. Where's Joab? 00:00:53 Speaker 1: Under the hush of twilight. David stood at the edge of the brook Kidron. Its course was steady, gentle, and tranquil. David looked out over the brook. The olive groves and tall trees lay before him, the place that would one day be known as Gethsemane. David then looked behind him, where his betrayers hoarded and conspired to kill him. He was fleeing for his life. But it didn't feel right. 00:01:27 Speaker 5: Hushai, is that you? 00:01:33 Speaker 4: I could never serve that snake while you still draw breath. I am loyal to you to the very end. 00:01:40 Speaker 5: Good. Then I need you to return to Jerusalem. 00:01:45 Speaker 4: You want me to spy for you? 00:01:48 Speaker 1: I need you to focus, Hushai. 00:01:52 Speaker 6: Frustrate Neithamil. 00:01:54 Speaker 1: Feed him pleasant words. 00:01:55 Speaker 5: Learn Absalom's plans. Sadoc and Ebiathar will send their sons to. 00:02:00 Speaker 1: Bring me what you discover. 00:02:03 Speaker 5: It will be done. 00:02:09 Speaker 1: The bronze chariots thundered through the gates of Jerusalem. The hooves of Absalom's warhorses crushed the garden paths beneath them, scattering petals like chaff in the wind. From the walls and windows, voices cried out, King Absalom! King Absalom! King Absalom! The prince dismounted slowly, and with an air of regality, he took a breath and smiled angrily. 00:02:42 Speaker 3: Ah, yes, King Absalom. Oh, and what a great king I shall be. 00:02:51 Speaker 1: Behind him, Ahithophel walked with hands clasped. He didn't bask in any of the victory. He knew nothing would be truly won until David was dead. 00:03:04 Speaker 3: Ahithophel gathered the remaining council. Any man who remained here instead of following my father into the dust is welcome to swear fealty to me. 00:03:14 Speaker 1: Ahithophel bowed and did as he was commanded. Soon the throne room filled with murmuring men. All of them were former loyalists of David. Some remained out of fear, but many remained for the new opportunity for power and influence under Absalom's rule. Among them was one who bowed lower than all the rest, Hushai. He had been commanded by David to remain as his eyes and ears. The thought of playing such a crucial role made Hushai's stomach churn, but he was determined nonetheless. Hushai entered, ready for the battle of politics. 00:03:59 Speaker 4: Long live King Absalom! May his reign eclipse that of his father David! 00:04:05 Speaker 1: Absalom narrowed his eyes. 00:04:07 Speaker 3: Hushai, I find your company here strange. My father was fond of you. Why did you not retreat with him? 00:04:17 Speaker 1: Hushai blinked, feigning sorrow. 00:04:21 Speaker 4: My loyalty is to the throne, not the man. The Lord has clearly chosen you. The people have obviously favored you. That makes you king. And so I am yours. As I was your father's? Use me as you will. 00:04:38 Speaker 1: Absalom grinned. He wanted to believe it. Needed to. His ego lapped it up. 00:04:45 Speaker 2: Very well. 00:04:47 Speaker 3: Let us discuss how I might solidify my rule. The people know I've taken the throne, but how do we make them believe it belongs to me? 00:04:56 Speaker 1: He looked to Ahithophel. The old fox leaned forward, voice low and sharp as a dagger. 00:05:05 Speaker 2: Total blame. 00:05:06 Speaker 5: Nothing more, nothing less. 00:05:08 Speaker 7: If anything in this palace remains King David's, then he'll have a football here. 00:05:14 Speaker 6: You must disgrace your father in the eyes of the nation. Take what was his. Not only a city in his seat, but also his servants, his bed, his women. His concubines remain in the palace. 00:05:28 Speaker 5: Ravish them. Do so in the light of the sun. 00:05:31 Speaker 7: Let all Israel see that you're no pretender. And neither are you a bleeding-heart hypocrite like your father. Everything you do, you do in the light. No secrets. No feigned righteousness. 00:05:44 Speaker 5: You're the king. 00:05:45 Speaker 1: Do what pleases you. 00:05:46 Speaker 5: And never beg forgiveness. 00:05:49 Speaker 1: The room fell still. Hoshai held his breath. And Absalom laughed. 00:05:57 Speaker 3: You've always had a taste for the dramatic, old man. But you're right. Pitch a tent on the palace roof. I'll show them who rules Jerusalem now. 00:06:08 Speaker 1: And so it was done. By noon, the crimson banners of the house of David fluttered from the heights, and beneath them, Absalom defiled his father's concubines one by one. The city whispered, the kingdom watched, the air stank of smoke and sin. It was a bold move, too bold. Hushai saw cracks in Absalom's cool demeanor. He had been brewing this plan for years, allowing it to ferment. But now he was drunk on it. He was a fool, and Hushai would capitalize on every mistake. Absalom sat slouched on the throne like a serpent curled atop a warm stone. Behind him, Ahithophel and Hushai stood still as statues. This was no court of peace. It was a council of war. Hushai watched Ahithophel's eyes. There was hunger in them. Not ambition. Obsession. The old counsellor clung to Absalom's shadow like a starved leech. It was clear he'd staked everything on the success of this coup. Hushai knew that was dangerous. Men like Ahithophel did not forgive failure, not even their own. 00:07:36 Speaker 4: Ahithophel? 00:07:37 Speaker 6: Yes, my lord. 00:07:40 Speaker 3: David and his men are hiding somewhere beyond Kidron. I fear every moment they're away is a moment they have to plan. 00:07:50 Speaker 1: Is it time we strike? 00:07:52 Speaker 7: Choose 12,000 men. I'll lead them myself. David's weary, his men scattered, and his numbers few. We attack swiftly, with precision, and strike only at him. Once the king's dead, his followers will have no heart left to resist. Let me bring the people back to you like a bride or husband. 00:08:14 Speaker 1: Absalom liked the sound of it. Glory, vengeance, a swift surgical end. He turned to Hushai, expecting agreement. But Hushai stepped forward and bowed his head. What he was about to do was more dangerous than drawing a blade. 00:08:32 Speaker 4: Ahithophel is wise. But today he is a fool. 00:08:38 Speaker 2: What did you say, rat? 00:08:41 Speaker 1: Ahithophel stiffened. His lips pulled tight. Hushai ignored the old man and met Absalom's gaze. 00:08:50 Speaker 4: Every enemy of Israel has made the same grave mistake. underestimating David and his men. Your father is not a wounded deer, but a lion. He's cornered. I'm willing to bet he isn't sleeping where his people sleep. He's probably hidden, watching, waiting for you to strike in secret. If you strike now, you will kill farmers, priests, and children. 00:09:18 Speaker 2: Not David. 00:09:19 Speaker 4: And the people will see you for what they fear, a butcher of your own blood. 00:09:26 Speaker 1: Then we wait? 00:09:27 Speaker 3: We give him more time to rally support? 00:09:31 Speaker 4: No, you assemble a host, an army greater than any seen in Israel. You must march at its head with banners and trumpets. No secrecy, no fear. Don't have a Hithrevel do the work for you. You'll come across as a spoiled prince. March upon David with a flood. He will not withstand it. And if by some cursed chance he reaches the city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to drag him from escape. until dust does not remain. 00:10:02 Speaker 1: That made Absalom smile. Vanity won where reason wavered. 00:10:08 Speaker 2: Well said. 00:10:09 Speaker 3: Prepare the men. I will ride at the front, and when we find my father, we shall grind his name into the earth. 00:10:19 Speaker 1: He swept from the hall, giddy with visions of triumph. Ahithophel did not follow immediately. He and Hushai stood alone. The silence between them crackled like embers. 00:10:34 Speaker 5: You think yourself clever? 00:10:36 Speaker 4: No. Only loyal. Yes. 00:10:41 Speaker 5: But to whom? 00:10:43 Speaker 1: They held each other's gaze like swords locked at the crossguard. Then, Ahithophel turned and left in silence. Hushai moved. He rushed to the house of Abiathar and Zadok, his breath fast, his thoughts faster. 00:10:59 Speaker 4: The priest's sons took the message at once. 00:11:13 Speaker 1: The river's edge was quiet, but war thundered in the distance. The game was in motion. The blood would follow. The night was still, save for the soft ripple of water and the distant crackle of campfires. The moon cast a pale silver veil across the Jordan, and David, knee-deep in its chilled waters... felt its gaze like judgment. He splashed water on his face, rinsing away the filth of exile. His breath fogged in the night air. 00:11:54 Speaker 5: But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head. 00:12:01 Speaker 1: Behind him, the camp dozed in uneasy peace. Hundreds had followed him, his household, his guards, his loyal men. He didn't understand it, not truly, not after everything. He caught sight of Bathsheba stepping from the shadows Solomon cradled in her arms. The boy blinked sleepily, curls sticking to his brow. David approached gently, pressing a kiss to his son's forehead. 00:12:32 Speaker 5: Sleep, my little lion. May the Lord guard your dreams as I cannot. 00:12:39 Speaker 1: When he returned to the fire, Abishai and the others sat waiting. But there was a notable absence from the men. Joab. David's commander hadn't come to meet David. David wondered if Joab had abandoned him for Absalom. Given their messy past, David supposed it was possible. Where are you, Joab? 00:13:01 Speaker 5: When I need you most, you're gone. 00:13:04 Speaker 1: Then came the thunder of hooves. Two messengers sent from Hushai dismounted in a storm of dust and breathless warning. 00:13:13 Speaker 4: My king, Absalom is on a march. 00:13:16 Speaker 1: The host is fast, the blood is hot. They will cross in days. David stood. The fire painted him in bronze and black. 00:13:25 Speaker 6: Where? 00:13:26 Speaker 1: Gilead. David looked across the river at the shadowed bank beyond. Gilead was familiar ground, but it would not be a homecoming. It would be a reckoning. David wrapped his cloak tighter, his face set against the east wind as he and his captains marched the ridge. Below them sprawled the valley, vast and open, treacherous in its promise. At the edge of the forest of Ephraim, tents of enemy banners fluttered like vultures circling the carcass of a kingdom. Absalom was there, somewhere beneath those canopies of silk and steel, plotting the fall of his father. David's eyes narrowed. 00:14:15 Speaker 6: If we strike here, we lose. 00:14:20 Speaker 5: He has the numbers, but the forest has ground we can control. 00:14:25 Speaker 4: Yes. 00:14:26 Speaker 3: Narrowing the terrain will even the odds, but we still won't get out of this without bleeding. 00:14:32 Speaker 5: Then we bleed together. 00:14:35 Speaker 1: As he spoke, the sound of horns rang out behind them. David and his men drew their swords, prepared for an ambush. Then he burst from the shadows. Joab rode in like thunder, flanked by hundreds of battle-hardened men in scarred armor. dust rising behind them. He dismounted with a smirk and opened his arms. Were you going to ride without me? 00:15:05 Speaker 4: I'm hurt. 00:15:06 Speaker 5: Joab, you're here. Did you think me a traitor? 00:15:12 Speaker 7: The boy burned my fields. 00:15:16 Speaker 2: That's not a slight I'll forget. 00:15:18 Speaker 1: David clasped his forearms and laughed in return. 00:15:24 Speaker 5: Then we are whole again. 00:15:26 Speaker 1: Together, the men stood over the map. The forest would be their battleground. 00:15:32 Speaker 5: We're split into three companies. Abishai, you lead the charge. Itai will flank. Joab, lie in wait. Strike once the battle's joined. I'll ride in the front. 00:15:43 Speaker 1: But his captains did not cheer. They exchanged glances. 00:15:48 Speaker 2: No, you will not. 00:15:50 Speaker 4: I must. 00:15:51 Speaker 5: I must. I'll not hide like a coward while others fight my war. 00:15:55 Speaker 3: It is not your presence that would save us, my king. 00:15:59 Speaker 1: It is your absence. 00:16:00 Speaker 5: If you fall, we fall. 00:16:02 Speaker 3: They will ignore us for a chance at your head. 00:16:06 Speaker 1: You're worth ten thousand of. 00:16:07 Speaker 2: Us and you know it. Besides, if I saw my son in the fray, I'm not sure I could do what must be done. I won't make you watch your son die, David. 00:16:19 Speaker 1: David clenched his fists, then drew a deep breath. 00:16:25 Speaker 5: Do as you think best. I trust you all, but. 00:16:29 Speaker 1: David turned toward the enemy camp. Among them was Absalom. His enemy, yes, but his son. 00:16:38 Speaker 5: Please, deal gently with Absalom. Do not kill him. Capture him, but please... Spare his life, if you can. 00:16:50 Speaker 1: It was a king's command, but it sounded far more like a father's plea. The captains bowed, and then they vanished into the trees. The storm had begun. The false king sat atop his horse, golden-laced armor shimmering in the dimmed light. Absalom's once poised and calculated demeanour was cracking. He should have known better than to challenge David's mighty men. But pride had moved him where his mind knew he shouldn't go. And pride kept him from turning back. Pride is the death of us all. The wind tore east to west and the forest before him howled with fury. A storm was awaiting him. Absalom called for his men to charge the forest. 00:17:52 Speaker 3: No mercy! No glory! 00:17:56 Speaker 1: Absalom charged with Israel's burst in front of him. The armies clashed in chaos. David's men were few, but they were devils in the trees. From the first blow, Absalom knew he had made a grave miscalculation. Abishai's vanguard fell upon them like wolves loosed from a cage. Archers were perched in the trees, and spearmen lunged from the shadows of each oak. Absalom, watching from behind the front, felt the chill creep into his chest. 00:18:32 Speaker 4: Fall back! Reform ranks! 00:18:35 Speaker 1: Absalom turned. As he did, he saw Joab with his men, ready to pursue him. 00:18:43 Speaker 3: Blast it! 00:18:45 Speaker 4: Scatter, men! 00:18:46 Speaker 3: Scatter and regroup at the gates! 00:18:49 Speaker 1: But the forest swallowed orders. Shouts were lost to the wind. Arrows hissed like serpents from the trees. Men screamed and vanished. The woods turned on them. Trees became traps. Shadows became enemies. Then came Joab. His men were fierce and fast, crashing through brush with brutal precision. They hit Absalom's line like a boulder dropped from heaven. Shields cracked, swords splintered, men fell. Absalom turned. This wasn't a battle. This was a reckoning. His pride was amused, tightening with every blow struck by David's men. So he fled. Absalom tore through the trees on his mount. The thunder roared and rain began to fall, light at first, then heavy, blurry. his vision. Branches lashed his cheeks, tore at his robe. He leaped low over his horse, urging it faster. 00:20:00 Speaker 4: Run! Run! 00:20:02 Speaker 3: Don't stop! 00:20:05 Speaker 1: Behind him came pursuit. The shouts of Joab's men rose in crescendo. Swords ran in the distance. He knew they were coming. He had to escape. He would live and fight again, regroup, rebuild, and take the throne properly. But the forest did not let him go. The tree was closed around him. A tunnel of oak and bramble stretched ahead, the branches twisted together in a wicked embrace. Absalom ducked one branch, sliced through another, but he could not see the snare waiting above. With a sickening crack, his head struck between two thick limbs. The horse galloped forward, but Absalom did not. The momentum tore him backward. His neck wrenched as the full weight of his body snapped into suspension. The world spun. His arms flailed. His legs kicked at the air. Absalom was hanging there, caught between two branches, choking, gasping, fingers clawing for freedom. The rain poured now, soaking his cloak, blinding his eyes. He writhed like a fish caught in a net. Below, the battle raged on, but he was alone. Absalom, son of David, dangled like a cursed idol in the forest. And the Lord, who sees all things, looked down from the storm with silence. Joab gripped the hilt of his spear as he strode through the mud and moss. Each step was a beat in the drum of judgment. The men had found Absalom, but dared not touch him. The king had given orders not to harm the prince. 00:22:05 Speaker 5: You're all cowards! I would have given you riches and medals if you'd killed the boy! 00:22:10 Speaker 1: A head, hanging like cursed fruit from twisted branches... was Absalom. His cloak tangled in the limbs of the oak, his body dangling, royal garments torn and smeared in sweat and blood. The prince was still alive, barely, gasping, gagging, clawing for breath. Joab stepped into the clearing, boots cracking over the wet roots. 00:22:40 Speaker 2: Your Majesty. 00:22:43 Speaker 1: Absalom's eyes found him. wide with fear. Joab, help. Get me down, please. 00:22:54 Speaker 2: Your wish is my command. 00:22:57 Speaker 1: Joab wound his arm back and hurled the first spear with deadly precision. It struck Absalom clean through the shoulder, cracking the limb that held him. The prince tumbled to the ground in a heap, coughing and choking. He rolled onto his hands and knees, limbs trembling. For a heartbeat, he could breathe. 00:23:21 Speaker 4: No, no, no, no. Joab, please. Shut up. 00:23:30 Speaker 1: Joab slammed a second spear into Absalom's back and punched through his side. The scream that followed was more animal than man. Blood gushed, soaking the earth. Still, Absalom moved, barely, dragging himself backwards, leading a crimson trail in the forest soil. Joab approached, slow and steady. The rain had gone. The clouds were beginning to part. A single ray of sunlight broke through, bouncing off Absalom's armor. 00:24:08 Speaker 2: You want to know something? After all this... Your father still wanted me to spare you. 00:24:16 Speaker 1: Please, please have mercy. 00:24:21 Speaker 2: You received mercy, Absalom. Your father gave it twice. 00:24:27 Speaker 1: He raised the third spear high over his shoulder and thrust it down with a brutal grunt. The iron point sank deep into Absalom's gut. The prince jerked. and then slowly fell still. Joab watched the life drain from his eyes. He stepped back and gestured to the soldiers behind him. 00:24:54 Speaker 2: Finish him! 00:24:55 Speaker 1: They came forward without a word. One after another, they drove their blades into the body. When it was done, Joab stood alone above the body of the usurper prince. He ordered a pit to be dug. They rolled the corpse in and heaped stones over it, not as an honor, but as a warning. And then, silence. The men who had followed Absalom, the soldiers who once bore his banner, gathered in silence, waiting for Joab's judgment. He didn't give them a speech. He didn't raise his voice. He just turned. 00:25:39 Speaker 2: Eyes cold. Back to your homes. 00:25:43 Speaker 1: And they went, silent, ashamed, defeated. Joab remained behind for a moment longer, standing in the rain beside the mound of stones. The thunder rumbled like the wrath of God rolling across the heavens. He spat at the grave, then turned his back on it. 00:26:07 Speaker 4: Long. 00:26:07 Speaker 2: Live the King. 00:26:14 Speaker 1: This Pray.com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Schellebarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, You can hear more Prey.com productions on the Prey.com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review.