The Return of King David

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on The Chosen People. 00:00:04 Speaker 2: My king, Absalom is on a march. 00:00:07 Speaker 3: The host is vast, the blood is hot. 00:00:10 Speaker 2: They will cross in days. 00:00:13 Speaker 3: Please, deal gently with Absalom. Do not kill him. Capture him, but please, spare his life if you can. 00:00:25 Speaker 1: Absalom's once poised and calculated demeanor was cracking. He should have known better than to challenge David's mighty men. No mercy! 00:00:37 Speaker 4: No glory! 00:00:41 Speaker 1: 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. 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. Joab wound his arm back and hurled the first spear with deadly precision. 00:01:18 Speaker 3: No, no, no, no. Joab, please, I. 00:01:25 Speaker 4: Shut up! 00:01:26 Speaker 1: Joab slammed a second spear into Absalom's back and punched through his side. 00:01:33 Speaker 2: You want to know something? After all this, your father still wanted me to spare you. 00:01:42 Speaker 5: Please, please have mercy. 00:01:47 Speaker 2: You received mercy, Absalom. Your father gave it. Twice. 00:01:52 Speaker 3: Twice. 00:01:53 Speaker 1: He raised the third spear high over his shoulder and thrust it down. 00:01:59 Speaker 2: With a brutal grunt. Long live the king. 00:02:09 Speaker 1: In the shadow of the twin gates of Mahanaim, David sat like a man already in mourning. Though the king's body remained still, his heart beat like a war drum. trembling at each whisper of the wind that carried death from the forest of Ephraim. He wanted to be out there, fighting, yes, but also to protect his son from harm. He had given the order not to harm Absalom, but orders, like oaths, were often lost in the noise of war. He knew his men, Joab chief among them, were seasoned, deadly warriors. Yet that didn't give him peace, for the same steel that won him a crown could just as easily rob him of his son. 00:02:58 Speaker 3: Protect them, Lord. 00:03:07 Speaker 5: Protect him. 00:03:10 Speaker 1: From the battlements above, the sharp cry of a watchman cut through the heavy air. There was a messenger approaching. David's head snapped up. A lone runner meant a message, not retreat. It was Ahimeas, son of Zadok. He ran like a man bearing good news, his face bright with triumph. As he reached the gate, his voice rang out like a trumpet. 00:03:37 Speaker 4: All is well, my king. 00:03:38 Speaker 3: The Lord has delivered your enemies into your hand. 00:03:41 Speaker 5: Joab and the mighty men crushed them with fire and fury. 00:03:45 Speaker 2: The rebellion has ended. And the boys? 00:03:50 Speaker 3: What of Absalom? 00:03:52 Speaker 2: There was much confusion. I didn't see the prince myself. 00:03:57 Speaker 4: Perhaps he fled with the rest? 00:04:00 Speaker 1: A second runner crested the hill. Joab himself sent this one. The Kushite's stride was sure, but his face bore a grim tightness. He bowed low before the king. 00:04:14 Speaker 4: My lord, the god of justice has given you victory. 00:04:17 Speaker 2: May all who rise against you fall. as the young man Absalom has. 00:04:23 Speaker 1: The words dropped like stones into the well of David's soul. He staggered back, leaning hard against the stone wall behind the gate. His eyes were wide, unseen. Then his legs came away, and he sank to the earth as if crushed by the weight of his crown. His fists pounded the ground. The dust drank his tears. 00:04:47 Speaker 5: Absalom! 00:04:48 Speaker 3: Absalom! 00:04:48 Speaker 2: My son! 00:04:49 Speaker 4: My son! 00:04:49 Speaker 2: God, it should have been me! 00:04:54 Speaker 1: It's him! 00:04:55 Speaker 3: Absalom! My son! 00:04:58 Speaker 2: My son! 00:05:06 Speaker 1: The cries echoed through the gatehouse, down the corridors and into the marrow of every man within earshot. Soldiers turned their eyes to the floor. David's sorrow sucked any joy of victory right out of the room. David was carried to a chamber beyond the gates where he lay his face to the cold floor. He spoke to no one. For three days he remained there, weeping. The kingdom had won, but the king had lost. Joab thundered in with David's bravest men behind him. Gilead's gates creaked open before him and dust rose in his wake. The battle was over. The prince was dead. The throne was secured. 00:06:01 Speaker 4: Rejoice, men! 00:06:02 Speaker 1: Drink! 00:06:03 Speaker 2: Dance! 00:06:04 Speaker 4: You've done well! 00:06:06 Speaker 1: Joab dismounted and looked around. None of the guards were rejoicing. The men who had mated there before Joab were sitting quietly and somberly. Bathsheba was there to greet him. 00:06:19 Speaker 2: And the men. 00:06:21 Speaker 5: Well done, Joab. You and your men fought valiantly. 00:06:23 Speaker 2: Then why does this place look like a graveyard? Where are the tambourines and the dancing? Where's the king? 00:06:34 Speaker 5: The king is mourning his son. 00:06:36 Speaker 2: He's what? 00:06:39 Speaker 5: He's locked away in that tower, mourning Absalom's death. There's no celebration, no music, no feast. Just tears and wails echoing from his chamber. 00:06:51 Speaker 4: I swear that man-child is aging in reverse. He's weeping after we just won him back the throne? 00:06:59 Speaker 5: Oh, this is how he gets now. It's like this cloud that hovers over him, blocking out all joy and hope. He hasn't eaten in days. 00:07:10 Speaker 2: I won't let his grief run on men of celebration. 00:07:14 Speaker 1: Joab stormed toward the tower, armor still dirty from war. 00:07:21 Speaker 4: David! 00:07:22 Speaker 1: Joab didn't knock. He strode to the king's door and kicked it open. The room was dim, save for the slivers of sunlight bleeding through the shutters. There, lying on the floor like a dying dog, was the once mighty King David. David rolled toward him, eyes sunken and bloodshot. 00:07:45 Speaker 2: What are you doing? What am I doing? I'm winning back the throne for you. 00:07:52 Speaker 4: What are you doing? 00:07:54 Speaker 2: Your men bled for you. 00:07:56 Speaker 4: They marched through storm and steel to give you back your crown. And you lie here like a widow, weeping into your sleeves. 00:08:06 Speaker 1: David propped himself up, still on the floor. 00:08:10 Speaker 2: I've lost a son, Joab. 00:08:13 Speaker 4: Have some compassion. No. fresh out of compassion, all bled out trying to win back the throne from that psychopath. 00:08:22 Speaker 1: David lunged up and stepped toward Joab with rage. 00:08:28 Speaker 3: Do not speak of my dead son that way. 00:08:30 Speaker 2: Have you no respect? 00:08:33 Speaker 4: Respect? You want to talk about respect? 00:08:37 Speaker 1: Joab cocked his hip back and struck David clean in the jaw. David reeled blood at his lip. David lunged forward, but Joab halted him with his shoulder, slamming him into the stone wall with a crash that echoed down the corridor. Joab grabbed the king by the collar and shoved him towards the window. 00:08:59 Speaker 2: Look out there! Look at your men! 00:09:01 Speaker 4: What about their respect? 00:09:04 Speaker 1: David struggled, but Joab drove his forearm into the king's throat, pinning him. 00:09:10 Speaker 5: Look! 00:09:11 Speaker 1: Below, thousands of soldiers filled the courtyard. Men with bandaged wounds, broken spears, torn cloaks. They all sat sullen. Some leaned on each other for support. Others sat quietly, eyes on the palace, waiting. Joab's voice dropped, low and lethal. 00:09:35 Speaker 4: You've shamed them. They fought for your life, your wives, your children. and you soak in your chambers like your son was the only one lost. 00:09:47 Speaker 1: David turned from the window, his breath trembling. Joab stepped in, pointing a finger at the king's chest, voice trembling with the fury of grief. 00:09:58 Speaker 2: You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You mourn Saul. 00:10:04 Speaker 4: You wept for Absalom. 00:10:06 Speaker 2: And today you act as if you'd have. 00:10:08 Speaker 4: Traded their lives for ours. 00:10:12 Speaker 1: A long silence stretched between them. The wind stirred the broken door on its hinges. 00:10:19 Speaker 4: Do you wish all of them dead and your sons still alive, wreaking havoc on your nation? 00:10:25 Speaker 1: Joab swallowed hard. The iron edge of his tone softened just slightly. 00:10:31 Speaker 2: You do not go down there and speak to your men. I swear by the Lord, there will not be a man left with you by nightfall. 00:10:39 Speaker 1: He turned without another word and walked out. David stood alone, shaken, rubbing his bruised jaw. He looked once more out the window at the men who had fought for him, bled for him and followed him into exile. He took a breath and he moved. The courtyard buzzed with the slow, easy laughter of men who had faced death and returned to tell the tale. Swords were laid down, bandages were tied with rough hands. They lounged in the dust, broken and bruised, yet whole in spirit. Brothers in arms sharing bread, wine and the warmth of survival. Then a hush fell like a sudden wind. Every head turned. The doors of the tower creaked open and King David stepped forth. He looked older than before, shoulders stooped with grief, hair damp with sweat. but there was strength in his step and a fire in his eyes that had not been there for days. The crown was gone from his brow, but he bore something greater, resolve. The soldiers rose to their feet, standing at attention, bruised bodies snapping to posture with reverence. David lifted his head. He saw Abishai Eliezer nodding in approval. He saw Jashabim, old now but still strong. Benaiah was at his side, stoic, but his eyes reflected pride. The king of Israel stepped down, paused, and raised his hands to the heavens. The sunlight broke through the clouds, casting a golden sheen on the king's upturned face. 00:12:32 Speaker 3: Blessed be the Lord who redeems his people and binds up the brokenhearted. He has not forgotten us. 00:12:42 Speaker 2: A roar broke forth. 00:12:44 Speaker 1: Cheers echoed across the courtyard like thunder rolling through a valley. Men wept openly. Others threw down their weapons and ran to him. David met them all, one by one, embracing warriors like sons, kissing the foreheads of captains, clasping calloused hands. He laughed and cried. thanking them with words as humble as they were heartfelt. 00:13:11 Speaker 3: You've carried the heart of Israel on your shoulders. You've never failed me, not once. I shall sing of your bravery in the courts of Jerusalem. 00:13:21 Speaker 1: Joab stood apart beneath a fig tree. He spat, shook his head, and left without a word. David watched Joab leave, clenching his bruised jaw. He turned back to the men. He was once again their shepherd. In the days that followed, he gathered the elders of Judah and Israel, sitting in council with those who had wavered, who had bowed to Absalom out of fear or foolish hope. He did not speak harshly nor demand penance. Instead, he forgave them. He welcomed them. Mercy was not weakness in David's eyes. It was strength wrapped in humility. For all Joab's bitter truths, he was wrong in this. David would never stop forgiving those who wronged him, because he had been forgiven much, because he knew what it was to fall and be lifted by grace. He would extend that same grace again and again. But even as the people wept with joy and the king returned to the throne, A shadow lingered in the land. Whispers moved like cold wind through the hills. Not all were ready for peace. Not all believed in the king's mercy. And not all hearts had turned. Trouble was coming. But for now, there was singing in the streets and a king restored. 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, Sylvia Zaradok, Thomas Copeland Jr., Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Lashinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith. Written by Aaron Salvato, Brie Rosely, and Chris Baig. 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.