David's Dowry of Blood

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on The Chosen People As David and his men neared the gates, a clamor reached their ears. Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands. It was in the same tune that they had once sang Saul's name, but now the melody rang as an anthem to David's courage. A shadow fell across Saul's face. Something bitter and vile coiled around his heart, squeezing tighter with every beat. 00:00:32 Speaker 2: He will take it from me. My kingdom, my throne, my legacy. I will not let him. 00:00:45 Speaker 3: You think you can steal my kingdom, boy? 00:00:47 Speaker 2: They'll stop singing your name once you're dead! 00:00:52 Speaker 1: Saul was already reaching for a third spear when David darted to the window. He leaped through it, landing in the dewy grass below with a heavy thud. David sighed and turned away from the window, retreating into the shadows. Tomorrow, he would return to the throne room. The king needed him, needed his music, his presence. Even now, David would not abandon him. Saul woke with the same sour taste in his mouth that he had fallen asleep with. Shame clung to him like a damp cloak, but it did not take long for him to smother it beneath something colder. 00:01:41 Speaker 4: Resentment. 00:01:43 Speaker 1: By the time he entered the hall for breakfast, his mind was clear. his resolve firm. David must die. But not by my hand, he thought. No, the boy is too beloved. If I were to strike him down, the people would turn against me. But if he were to die in battle... Saul sat at the head of the table, forcing a thin smile as he surveyed the room. His wife, Ahinoam, sat beside him, quietly peeling fruit. Jonathan and his sisters Mirab and Mishal sat across from their father, sensing the tension. Before anyone spoke, David entered the room with a bow. He often shared a meal with the royal family and thought it would be best to pretend as though nothing had happened, as though Saul hadn't just tried to impale him with a spear. 00:02:40 Speaker 4: Three times. 00:02:42 Speaker 1: Saul leaned back in his chair and smiled. the mask of a fatherly king falling over his face like a well-worn cloak. 00:02:51 Speaker 3: Young David, I'm glad you've come to join us. Please, please sit. 00:02:55 Speaker 4: Of course, my king. 00:02:57 Speaker 5: It's always an honor to sit at the table with you. 00:02:59 Speaker 3: I hope we can put our disagreement yesterday behind us. 00:03:03 Speaker 1: The table fell silent. Jonathan's brow furrowed as he glanced between them, and Michal stilled, her spoon hovering just above her plate. None of them knew what had transpired the night before, but there was something in their father's voice that made them uneasy. David sat and bowed his head with practiced humility. 00:03:26 Speaker 5: You are a gracious man, my king. Consider it forgotten. If I have done anything to offend you, I beg your forgiveness. 00:03:35 Speaker 1: Saul waved a hand dismissively. 00:03:38 Speaker 3: The weight of the crown makes men weary, that's all. You're a good boy, David. A fine warrior... and for this I wish to give you the greatest honor. 00:03:47 Speaker 1: David tilted his head slightly, wary but silent. Saul's gaze slid to his eldest daughter. 00:03:55 Speaker 3: Merab, it is time for you and David to be wed. 00:03:59 Speaker 4: Merab stiffened. 00:04:01 Speaker 1: A sharp cough escaped her lips as she choked on her drink. 00:04:06 Speaker 3: Father, but I'm promised to Adrielle. 00:04:09 Speaker 4: We've already made preparations for the wedding. 00:04:13 Speaker 3: I am well aware you were promised, Adriel. And yet, did I not decree that whoever slew the giant would have your hand? Or would you have me break my word before all of Israel? 00:04:25 Speaker 1: Merab's hands curled into her lap. She tried to hold back the river of frustration dammed behind her eyes. 00:04:34 Speaker 5: But Adriel and I are. 00:04:36 Speaker 3: we are. 00:04:38 Speaker 2: we love each other. 00:04:39 Speaker 1: The words felt foolish and childish in front of her father. He had made his decision. Saul seemed callous to his daughter's feelings. Beside Mirab, Mishal was silent, though her fingers had tightened around her cup. David caught the slight shift in her expression, the flicker of pain, before she composed herself. David looked down at his plate, swallowing back his own bitterness. Mishal was the one he wanted, but kings did not give, they took. David forced a humble smile. 00:05:16 Speaker 5: My king, I am a mere shepherd, the son of a farmer. What place do I have to stand among princes? How can I ever be worthy of such an honor? 00:05:27 Speaker 1: Saul chuckled, then leaned forward. His eyes reflected a certain cunning, a serpentine shiftiness that gave David chills. Saul was up to something, although David's boy-like trust in Saul didn't waver as he spoke. 00:05:46 Speaker 3: You will show yourself worthy by proving yourself on the battlefield. You shall march at the front of my armies with a thousand men at your back. You shall go forth as my finest warrior, a champion of my name. And when you return, Merab shall be yours. 00:06:05 Speaker 1: Saul raised his cup in celebration. His wife followed. The children all hesitated, but none dared refuse a toast from the king. The family raised their cups. 00:06:17 Speaker 3: To the betrothal of David and Merab! To the gaining of a new son! To the prosperity of Israel! 00:06:25 Speaker 1: The words were like honey laced with poison. Saul was up to something. Mishal held back tears. Merab lowered her gaze. David kept his smile thin and practiced, though a knot tightened in his stomach. How many battles would he have to fight to be worthy? And more importantly, would he survive them? The morning air was crisp, laced with the scent of olive blossoms and damp earth. David walked among the trees, his fingers grazing the rough bark as he passed. It had been too long since he had wandered in peace. The clamor of war had become his constant companion. David had fought at the borders of Israel for over a week, desperately trying to follow Saul's commands. It was laborious and sometimes maddening work. But here, in the hush of dawn, he was once again a shepherd. He breathed deep, letting the cool air fill his lungs. and closed his eyes. 00:07:35 Speaker 5: My shepherd, I don't feel worthy of this. Who am I to be son-in-law to the king? Who am I to deserve any of this? 00:07:46 Speaker 1: It was the eve of his wedding, where he would be united with Merab. She was quite older than David and didn't want the union, but David resolved to still love her if that was his duty. but he would be lying if he said he wasn't disappointed. He had longed for Michal, Saul's youngest, but men of David's status rarely have the choice between what they want and what they must do. As David contemplated these things, a twig snapped behind him. David turned, his hand instinctively twitching toward his belt. Saul stood before him, plucking a flower from a low branch. holding it up against the pale light of morning. 00:08:31 Speaker 5: So, how may I serve you? 00:08:35 Speaker 3: Ah, David's still so formal. I've decided that your victories, as valiant as they were, do not make you worthy of my eldest daughter. 00:08:46 Speaker 1: David felt his stomach drop, but his face betrayed nothing. He did not flinch. He did not speak. He simply waited. Saul walked past him, speaking as he went. 00:09:00 Speaker 3: Merab will marry Adriel the Maholothite. His family's wealth and standing will strengthen our hold on the kingdom. These are resources you could never hope. 00:09:10 Speaker 4: To offer me. 00:09:11 Speaker 1: Saul turned then, watching David closely, waiting for disappointment to crack the boy's composure. David bowed low, his forehead nearly touching the earth. 00:09:23 Speaker 4: I understand. 00:09:25 Speaker 5: It was an honor to be considered at all, my king. You have been generous beyond what I deserve. I will serve you as I always have. 00:09:33 Speaker 1: Saul's nostrils flared. The boy did not so much as flinch. No bitterness, no resentment. Just loyalty. Blind, foolish loyalty. It sickened him. Saul turned sharply, frustration prickling under his skin. Then he caught sight of Michal. lingering among the trees. His youngest daughter had been watching David, watching Ah, so that is how it is. Saul left David and strode to his daughter's side. 00:10:23 Speaker 3: My dear daughter, what brings you to the gardens at this hour? 00:10:29 Speaker 4: Oh, I'm just enjoying the morning, Father. 00:10:34 Speaker 3: Praying, meditating, all the practices you've modeled for us. 00:10:39 Speaker 1: Saul's eyes flicked between her and David, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. 00:10:47 Speaker 3: No doubt. enjoying the view as well. I. 00:10:52 Speaker 4: I wish I could deny it, Father. 00:10:55 Speaker 3: But I promise to keep my distance. I know he's to be with Merib. As it turns out, my dear Mikal, he is not. 00:11:04 Speaker 4: Come with me. 00:11:06 Speaker 1: Saul turned back toward David, his hand still resting on his daughter's shoulder. The young man had not moved. He stood where Saul had left him, his expression unreadable. 00:11:19 Speaker 3: Young David, you shall be my son-in-law after all. 00:11:23 Speaker 4: David blinked. 00:11:24 Speaker 1: His lips parted slightly as if uncertain he had heard correctly. Saul gestured for David to come forward. He grabbed the young man and woman's hands and clasped them forcibly together. 00:11:38 Speaker 3: You and McCall shall be wed before God. You will be made my son and all the privileges of the kingdom will be yours. 00:11:48 Speaker 1: David turned his eyes to Michal. She was watching him still, her face alight with quiet joy. His heart thudded in his chest. She was truly beautiful and clearly had an infatuation with David. Truly, that's all David knew about her. But to a young man starved for affection, that's enough. 00:12:12 Speaker 4: If it pleases you, my king. 00:12:15 Speaker 1: Saul's smile deepened. And the voice of torment once again entered his mind. 00:12:20 Speaker 4: Oh, he pleases the king. 00:12:27 Speaker 3: He's falling right into our trap. 00:12:32 Speaker 1: Saul clapped David's back and laughed from his belly. 00:12:37 Speaker 3: Very well then, it is done. We shall plan the wedding. 00:12:41 Speaker 1: David's excitement stilled. His brow furrowed slightly. 00:12:46 Speaker 5: My king, you know that I am but a humble shepherd. I have no land or treasure to offer, no gold or silver. What could I possibly give the king that is worthy of his daughter's hand? 00:12:59 Speaker 3: I have no need of gold or silver from you, giant slayer, but I require something far more, more valuable. 00:13:07 Speaker 1: He motioned for Michal to go, and once she was out of earshot, Saul walked David away from the trees. The cool morning had begun to warm, but the air between them was sharp. 00:13:19 Speaker 3: Saving Israel from the Philistines is my first concern, as I'm sure it is yours. God's kingdom cannot flourish while they live. 00:13:29 Speaker 1: The king turned, placing both hands firmly on David's shoulders. He gave David a fatherly smile, the type of smile David craved from his own father. Saul knew that the young boy was famished for paternal affection. He used it to his advantage. 00:13:47 Speaker 3: David, I want you to be my son, a prince of honor. That is why, for the price of my daughter's hand in marriage, I ask that you bring me the foreskin of a hundred dead Philistine soldiers. I want them to know they cannot mock our God and slaughter our people without consequence. David, will you do this for me? Will you bring honor to this family, our family? 00:14:26 Speaker 1: David met Saul's gaze without hesitation. 00:14:29 Speaker 5: I will fight for the Lord, for this nation, and for the right to be called your son. 00:14:35 Speaker 3: Good lad, good luck. 00:14:38 Speaker 1: Saul released David with a satisfied smile and watched him leave. 00:14:44 Speaker 3: And good riddance. 00:14:47 Speaker 2: Attack! 00:14:52 Speaker 1: David charged headfirst into a Philistine encampment with Joab and his men tight on his heel. David burst into the camp with the passion of a thousand warriors. His sling was behind him, striking two men down before he even entered the boundary. When he finally did cross into camp, two Philistines stepped forward with spears. David slid low, slashing one in the legs. He sprang up, swinging around to decapitate the other. Joab passed David, leaning his shoulder into the shield of a Philistine foot soldier, knocking. 00:15:28 Speaker 4: Him to the ground. 00:15:29 Speaker 1: Joab jabbed downward, then took the enemy's spear and thrust it up to the archers, pinning two at once. Joab's younger brothers, Abishai and Asahel, were poised at the flanks. Each led a small band of a dozen men to ambush the sentries and archers. The Philistines never stood a chance. David presided over the carnage, a shepherd of blood and iron. 00:15:55 Speaker 4: The forest reeked with the slain. 00:15:58 Speaker 1: David stood among the bodies, his chest rising and falling. 00:16:02 Speaker 4: With steady measured breaths. 00:16:05 Speaker 1: David sheathed his sword and bent over the fallen, working methodically. He had promised Saul a hundred foreskins. He would give him two hundred. 00:16:17 Speaker 3: Remind me why we're doing this again. 00:16:22 Speaker 2: It's my dowry. 00:16:23 Speaker 4: How romantic. 00:16:26 Speaker 3: My father-in-law required two donkeys and a raggin' of grain. 00:16:30 Speaker 4: Not nearly as fanciful as what we're doing here. 00:16:33 Speaker 1: David chuckled and continued to work. One by one, he collected the proof of his conquest, his fingers steady, his face unreadable. His men were reasonably appalled. Some turned away, unable to stomach the sight. Others forced themselves to do the same, kneeling beside the slain to finish the work. 00:16:55 Speaker 4: A dowry of blood. 00:16:57 Speaker 1: David straightened, wiping his blade against the cloak of a fallen Philistine. His men gathered the grim trophies in sacks, their weight far heavier than any gold or silver would have been. David said nothing. He only lifted the burden onto his shoulders and turned. 00:17:16 Speaker 4: Toward the road. Back to Gibeah. 00:17:22 Speaker 1: His voice was quiet, steady. His men followed. As they marched, the stench of war still clung to them. They would return to the palace with proof of their triumph, but Joab had a sinking feeling about it all. 00:17:39 Speaker 3: Do you really think this was about a dowry, David? 00:17:42 Speaker 5: Leave it alone, Joab. 00:17:44 Speaker 3: David, be sensible. Saul sent you with a company of thirty men to take an entire Philistine stronghold. 00:17:51 Speaker 4: This was some sort of sick test, or worse. 00:17:55 Speaker 5: You don't know what you're talking about. 00:17:58 Speaker 3: I suppose you know the king better than I do. 00:18:01 Speaker 4: Is there any reason he'd wish you harm? 00:18:03 Speaker 3: I said leave it alone, Joab. 00:18:06 Speaker 4: Child, suit yourself. 00:18:09 Speaker 1: Joab's nostrils flared. He fell back in line, huffing as he marched. David said nothing, but his mind was racing. He feared Joab was onto something. Perhaps Saul's outburst with the spear was a sign of something far deeper. Had Saul sent him to die? David's boots left red prints on the stone floor as he strode into the throne room, the stench of battle clinging to his skin. The sack in his hands dripped, leaving a slow, steady trail of blood behind him. His men did not follow him inside. This was between him and the king. Saul sat high upon his throne, his gilded armor gleaming in the torchlight. The council of elders flanked him, their robes pristine, their faces unreadable. The room was silent, save for the faint drip, drip, drip of blood upon the marble. David did not kneel. He did not speak. He simply lifted the burlap sack and let it fall at the foot of the throne. The weight of it landed with a wet thud. Saul stared at it. his lips tightening, his fingers gripping the arms of his throne. The iron smell of death rose between them. 00:19:39 Speaker 4: So, you've done what I asked. 00:19:48 Speaker 5: More. You asked, for a hundred Philistine foreskins. I provided you with two. 00:19:57 Speaker 1: David stood, unflinching. His body was battered, his hands raw, his tunic stiff with dried blood. 00:20:06 Speaker 4: But his eyes, his eyes were something else. 00:20:10 Speaker 1: Steady, sharp, no longer the wide eyes of a shepherd boy who played the harp at the king's feet. Saul swallowed. The room felt colder than before. He had sent the boy to die, and instead, he had returned a man. Saul's hand twitched, itching to grab the spear beside his throne. But no, not here, not now. Not with all the glistening eyes of the elders. 00:20:42 Speaker 2: See how the elders look at him. Look at their faces, shining with pride. They want to rip the crown off your head. 00:20:58 Speaker 3: And place it on his puny, pathetic curls. 00:21:08 Speaker 1: Saul cracked his neck back and composed himself. 00:21:12 Speaker 4: He forced a grin. 00:21:14 Speaker 3: My son, you have done well. It is time to prepare your wedding. McCall will be thrilled to see you. 00:21:21 Speaker 1: David did not smile. He did not bow. Saul's grin faltered. The throne beneath Saul suddenly felt unsteady. Spring came to Gibeah, and the city bloomed in celebration. Petals rained down from the balconies, swirling through the air as music filled the streets. David stood in the garden, sunlight casting a golden hue over him and Michal. She was beautiful, her hazel eyes warm as she gazed up at him. When he brushed his fingers across her cheek, She leaned into his touch, smiling. 00:22:06 Speaker 4: The priest spoke. The crowd watched. 00:22:10 Speaker 1: Before God and man, David, the shepherd of Bethlehem, became a prince of Israel. Not by blood, not by birthright, but by steel and carnage, by courage and the favor of the Lord. The people roared in joy as he kissed his bride. They lifted their cups, sang his name, and danced in the streets for days. Saul felt his crown grow heavier with every cheer. His son loved David, his daughter loved David, and his people loved David. Soon they would love him enough to make him king. From a distance, atop a hill overlooking the garden, stood Samuel, a smile creasing across his aged face. The shepherd had become a prince, but his journey to the throne would be longer and bloodier than anyone would dare imagine. Steve Gatina, Max Bard, Zach Schelleberger 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, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Jr., Rosanna Pilcher and Mitch Lashinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith. Written by Aaron Salvato, Brie Rosely and Chris Baig. 00:23:52 Speaker 4: You can hear. 00:23:53 Speaker 1: More Prey.com productions on the Prey.com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 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