EXT. NABOTH'S VINEYARD - JEZREEL - DAY
Naboth leaves driving an OX cart, on which are goatskin
bottles of wine. SUPERIMPOSE:
1 MONTH LATER
EXT. THE JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
Guard commander Jehu meets Naboth arriving on his ox cart in
the courtyard. Jehu, not expecting him, has a quizzical look.
Some PALACE GUARDS watch in b.g.
NABOTH
I received a message, my lord, that
the palace wished to buy wine from
my vineyard.
JEHU
I was told nothing of -
ORAH (o.s.)
(interrupting)
Over here!
Jehu and Naboth look over at Orah, who gestures from a
side door of the palace.
ORAH (cont'd)
Have him bring it in here.
Jehu watches as Naboth starts driving his cart to the side
door, into which Orah disappears.
Jehu looks curious as he turns toward the entrance of the
palace.
INT. A SECOND-FLOOR ROOM - JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
Jehu looks in, quietly enters the unoccupied room. He gets
down on the wooden floor to listen, finds the best crack to
look through. Voices are faintly heard below.
JEZEBEL (o.s.)
(in room below)
The king wishes to buy your
vineyard, Naboth.
Through the crack, Jehu can partially see Naboth below, sitting
in front of a table in a receiving/storage room. Jezebel comes
partially into view by the table.
NABOTH
But I cannot sell it, my lady.
INTERCUT: INT. THE RECEIVING/STORAGE ROOM - DAY
Jezebel and Naboth are alone. Jezebel, wearing a silk dress
more appropriate for a harlot than a queen, moves brazenly
between Naboth's chair and the table, to smile down at the
vintner.
JEZEBEL
The king will pay you any price,
Naboth.
Jezebel now sits on the table, her legs spread in front of
Naboth, as he nervously watches, mouth open, in his chair.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
(seductively)
So will I.
Jehu above continues listening, watching through the crack.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
I will pay you with my body, Naboth.
NABOTH
It - it - I, uh . . .
JEZEBEL
What are you trying to say, Naboth?
As she rises slowly, sexily from the table:
NABOTH
It is im - impossible for me to
sell the vineyard, my lady.
Jezebel sits down on his lap, her legs straddling him.
JEZEBEL
Nothing, Naboth, is impossible.
A beat. As she runs her fingers through his hair:
JEZEBEL
Don't you want me, Naboth?
(beat)
I will let you come to the palace,
and - be king for a night.
She takes Naboth's hand, and presses its palm to her breast:
NABOTH
But, my lady, I . . .
JEZEBEL
How many men, Naboth, get to sleep
with a queen?
Naboth finally manages to tell her,
NABOTH
But - I'm the kind of man, my lady,
who . . . would rather sleep with
the king.
Jezebel's smile disappears. She lets go of his hand and
rises, with a look of aggravation that says thanks for
wasting my time.
Jezebel walks away from Naboth and stops, impatiently
folding her arms, as Naboth nervously rises.
JEZEBEL
You have been paid for your wine.
You may go.
Jehu sits up from his crack in the floor, an amused yet
disturbed look on his face.
EXT. TEMPLE OF BAAL - SAMARIA - DAY
The temple looks three-quarters built, LABORERS busy.
SUPERIMPOSE:
8 MONTHS LATER
LABORERS #1 AND #2 are helping lay the stones of the front
wall, other workers busy around them.
LABORER #1
Who is that man staring at us?
Laborer #2 looks off at the man.
LABORER #1 (cont'd)
He looks like a man of God.
The man is squatting, staring with riveting eyes at the
workers, while PASSERSBY glance at him respectfully.
He is ELIJAH the prophet, 40-ish, shaggy, wearing a mantle
and leather girdle, his staff lying beside him.
LABORER #2
Elijah the Tishbite. He is leader
of the prophets.
As the Laborers continue their stone-laying:
LABORER #1
Why is he staring that way?
LABORER #2
Because of what we are building,
you fool.
LABORER #1
(beat)
What are we building?
Laborer #2 glances around, then whispers,
LABORER #2
I have been told it's a temple of Baal.
LABORER #1
By the Lord God of Israel!
LABORER #2
No. By the sorcery of Jezebel,
that witch whom the king brought
from Sidon. The queen keeps the
poor king stirred up.
A beat as they work. Laborer #1 again glances worriedly
off at Elijah.
LABORER #1
Does Elijah not know we are forced
labor?
INT. AHAB'S QUARTERS - PALACE IN SAMARIA - DAY
Jezebel sits writing a letter on papyrus at a table. At
Ahab's table with its seal, the king's chair is empty.
As Jezebel turns to speak to Obadiah, we can see she's about
eight months pregnant.
JEZEBEL
Obadiah . . .
Obadiah dutifully stops on his way to the door.
JEZEBEL
According to the law of Moses,
what happens to a criminal's
property, after his execution?
A pause, Obadiah puzzled by the question.
OBADIAH
I believe, my lady, there is
forfeiture of inheritance. It
becomes property of the king.
A beat, Jezebel looking vaguely pleased, then:
JEZEBEL
I was wondering.
Obadiah moves off toward the door.
INTERCUT: INT. OUTSIDE THE KING'S QUARTERS - DAY
Jehu comes along on inspection as Obadiah exits the quarters.
ISRAELITE PALACE GUARDS #3 and #4 stand guard at the door.
Jehu and Obadiah exchange nods of greeting as they pass in
the corridor.
Jezebel gazes at the finished letter. She seems sad, as if
dreading to send it.
Jehu, slowing his pace, glances into the open door as he's
quietly passing. Jezebel, her back to the door, is moving
to the king's table with the letter.
Past the door, Jehu stops, intrigued, and quietly goes back,
to peek in.
Jehu watches Jezebel set the king's seal to her letter.
Jehu moves off before Jezebel might notice him.
Jezebel looks solemnly at the letter. She closes her eyes.
JEZEBEL
What I do, O Baal, I do for thy
glory . . .
INT. JEHU'S HOME - NIGHT
Jehu and Jerusha begin eating an evening meal. Jehu seems
preoccupied.
JERUSHA
What troubles you, Jehu?
JEHU
(beat)
There is a temple of Baal being
built in Samaria. It does not
bode well for Israel.
(beat; thoughtfully)
And the queen may be working more
witchery.
A pause, Jehu eating without hunger. As Jerusha fondly touches
his arm:
JERUSHA
Jehu . . .
Jehu looks at her.
JERUSHA (cont'd)
I believe the Lord God of Israel has
remembered me.
Jehu gazes at her as her meaning sinks in. He takes hold of
her hand and lovingly kisses it.
INT. A NOBLE'S HOME - TOWN OF JEZREEL - DAY
A NOBLE, 60, sits holding the letter bearing the king's seal,
a look of disbelief on his face.
SUPERIMPOSE:
TOWN OF JEZREEL
The NOBLE'S WIFE, 55, looks at him curiously.
WIFE
What is it?
NOBLE
(beat)
An order . . . from the king.
WIFE
What does he want you to do?
The troubled noble looks at her, as if he has already said
too much.
NOBLE
Tend to your affairs, woman, and
stay out of mine.
The noble rises with the letter, the Wife watches him
fretfully move off.
INT. A BATH - SAMARIA PALACE - DAY
Jezebel, pregnant and nude, is bathing, as Orah attends her.
ORAH
I hope this one will be a boy,
my lady. A male heir for Israel.
JEZEBEL
Yes . . .
INTERCUT: INT. BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR - DAY
Through a door crack Jehu is watching Jezebel bathe, and
can hear the conversation.
JEZEBEL
Then perhaps the king will take
some more wives, and let me relax
for a season.
Orah quietly laughs. Jezebel smiles, then:
JEZEBEL
(wistfully)
And I will hold in my arms . . .
the one my heart yearns for.
ORAH
(beat)
Do you mean Luli, my lady?
JEZEBEL
Yes. He is going to be high priest
of Baal.
Jehu continues watching with desire.
EXT. THE TEMPLE OF BAAL - SAMARIA - DAY
The temple stands completed, modeled after Sidon's. BAAL
PRIESTS attend the fire on an altar before the front steps,
which lead up to double doors.
A curious crowd of ordinary CITIZENS is waiting. As MALE
CITIZEN #1 eagerly arrives:
MALE CITIZEN #1
Has the queen arrived yet?
MALE CITIZEN #2
No.
MALE CITIZEN #1
Will the king come with her?
WOMAN CITIZEN
The Lord strike him dead if he does.
MALE CITIZEN #2
Do not speak against the king.
WOMAN CITIZEN
I speak against idolatry. Do you
worship Baal or the Lord?
MALE CITIZEN #1
I worship them both. And I'd rather
come here than some high place.
INT. CORRIDOR OUTSIDE QUEEN'S QUARTERS - PALACE - DAY
Jezebel is dressed radiantly as she and Orah exit the queen's
quarters.
Jezebel notes Jehu talking with ISRAELITE PALACE GUARD #5,
other GUARDS in b.g.
JEZEBEL
(to Jehu)
Commander . . .
Jehu walks over to Jezebel, Orah moving off.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
Will you lead our escort to the
temple?
JEHU
No, my lady, I will not. I shall
have to miss the dedication.
JEZEBEL
What if I order you?
(no response)
But of course I would not do that.
(then)
You have your God, Jehu. Why can't
I have mine?
JEHU
(beat)
I fear, my lady, it will lead the
people astray.
JEZEBEL
Shouldn't people have a choice of
which God may lead them?
(beat)
I have promised Lord Baal to give
them that choice, "from Dan to
Beersheba."
Jezebel moves off.
EXT. THE TEMPLE - DAY
Smiling Jezebel and uncomfortable-looking Ahab are ascending
the steps. In Jezebel's hand is the Asherah from Luli.
The royal couple are flanked by ISRAELITE PALACE GUARDS and
followed by a number of distinguished GUESTS.
The crowd looks on, the altar fire burning.
From a window of the nearby palace, Jehu is watching the royal
party ascend the temple steps.
Jehu turns away from the window in calm disgust.
INT. THE TEMPLE - DAY
MUSICIANS play, candles glow in their stands, as Jezebel, Ahab,
and the others kneel, facing the closed double doors of the
holy of holies.
Luli, the high priest, stands before the holy of holies, facing
the worshippers. He smiles respectfully with a bow of the head
to kneeling Jezebel and Ahab.
Jezebel looks happy, smiling back at Luli, while Ahab, who
clearly would rather not be here, is not impressed with the
priest in charge:
AHAB
He looks a bit young for high
priest.
JEZEBEL
He is said to be specially endowed,
my lord, with great spirituality.
With everyone kneeling, the music playing, Luli beckons Jezebel
slightly with his hand, as if it's part of the ritual. Jezebel
accordingly whispers to Ahab,
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
I shall approach Mighty Baal, on
behalf of the children of Israel.
Ahab rather quizzically watches her rise. Jezebel walks forward
to Luli before the sanctum's double doors.
Jezebel kisses the Asherah, and holds it up in front of her.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
I pray, O high priest of Baal,
that I may enter, as daughter
of the priest-king of Sidon, to
pray alone to the Prince Lord
of Earth, on behalf of the
kingdom of Israel.
With a respectful bow of the head, Luli steps back, to open
one of the double doors, just enough for Jezebel to walk in.
As Luli goes in after her, Ahab and the other worshippers
strain for a look at the idol within, before the door again
closes.
INT. HOLY OF HOLIES - DAY
Alone together, Luli watches Jezebel kneel, looking up in
adoration at the towering idol of Baal, identical to the
one in Sidon.
Then Jezebel rises, turning to Luli. The lovers begin
passionately kissing and hugging.
JEZEBEL
Oh my darling . . . I told you
this day would come . . . The
Lord Baal has brought us together.
They go to their knees in their passion, then to the floor,
before Baal.
INTERCUT: INT. THE TEMPLE - DAY
Ahab is still kneeling with the others.
Worried, Ahab unconsciously bites a fingernail as he gazes
at the closed double doors of the holy of holies.
Behind the closed doors, Luli and Jezebel make love on the
floor before the idol of Baal, the Asherah lying beside them.
INT. AN ASSEMBLY OF MEN - TOWN OF JEZREEL - DAY
Naboth, in fear and disbelief, sits accused before all the
important MEN of Jezreel in solemn assembly.
NABOTH
It is not true.
The noble seen earlier gestures toward the TWO WITNESSES, both
rather base-looking fellows.
NOBLE
We have two witnesses, Naboth, to
your cursing of God and the king.
The noble speaks with gravity and emotion - feeling, no doubt,
his own guilt in this matter:
NOBLE (cont'd)
You have brought guilt, with your
blasphemy, upon all the community.
What say you all, good men of
Jezreel?
All, except the smug witnesses, are solemn, many look devastated.
Finally a grieving ELDER, his head in his trembling hand, speaks
out:
ELDER
He must die.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE TOWN OF JEZREEL - DAY
Naboth is kneeling in prayer. Gathered before him are the men
of Jezreel, who begin picking up stones.
The two witnesses throw the first stones. One misses, one
hits Naboth in the head, cutting and dazing him.
Now all begin throwing stones. As Naboth falls, bloody and
mortally wounded, stones are still hitting him.
The noble turns away, a tortured look on his face.
EXT. THE JEZREEL PALACE - DAY (A WEEK LATER)
The royal party is arriving. Ahab, Jezebel, Obadiah, Orah,
and Dathan ride DONKEYS, with Jehu and guards riding HORSES.
They stop in front of the palace.
JEZEBEL
My lord O king, you may wish
to proceed to the neighboring
vineyard, to claim it.
Ahab looks at Jezebel quizzically, as does Jehu.
AHAB
Naboth's vineyard?
A beat. Jezebel seems to take no pride in the news:
JEZEBEL
I kept the news from you, my lord,
to surprise you.
(beat)
Naboth is dead. His vineyard is
yours by right.
Ahab, intrigued, rides his donkey closer, to look Jezebel in
the eye.
AHAB
What happened to Naboth?
JEZEBEL
He committed blasphemy, and was
stoned by the men of Jezreel,
according to the law of Moses.
A beat, Ahab gazing at her as if in wonder. Then, as Ahab turns
his donkey,
AHAB
Jehu, let us go to the vineyard.
As Ahab starts riding off, Jehu stares at Jezebel, as if seeing
through her. It makes Jezebel uneasy, she averts her eyes.
Jehu turns his horse to follow Ahab.
EXT. PLAIN OF JEZREEL - DAY
In the distance a MAN is running across the plain toward camera.
As he gets closer, he's identifiable as Elijah.
Elijah stares ahead as he runs. It's surreal. He seems to be
running at more than a long-distance pace, yet he doesn't look
tired.
EXT. THE VINEYARD - DAY
Ahab stands looking around with satisfaction, while Jehu and
three or four PALACE GUARDS stand by.
After a moment, they become aware of Elijah running up to
the vineyard. Elijah stops, then comes walking toward them.
Guards draw their swords.
Ahab and Jehu stare at approaching Elijah, staring back.
AHAB
Who is it?
Jehu is clearly in respectful awe of the prophet.
JEHU
Elijah the prophet, my lord.
Elijah, who seems hardly winded, stops at the drawn swords of
the guards.
AHAB
Let him pass.
The guards step aside, and Elijah walks up to Ahab. They gaze
at each other, Ahab intimidated.
AHAB (cont'd)
Is it you, you troubler of
Israel?
ELIJAH
I have not troubled Israel. You
are the troubler.
(beat)
Have you killed, and now take
possession?
AHAB
I have not killed, O man of God.
I take possession by right, as king.
A beat, Elijah staring, unfazed. As he lifts his staff:
ELIJAH
Thus says the Lord: "For the
whoredom and sorcery of Jezebel -
for her temple of Baal, built by
you, causing the children of Israel
to play the harlot . . . and for
the innocent blood of Naboth,
falsely accused in my name . . .
I shall destroy thy house, as I
destroyed the house of Zimri, who
slew his master the king - "
AHAB
(interrupting)
I beg forgiveness of the Most High
God of Israel!
Ahab desperately kneels. Elijah is unmoved.
ELIJAH
Thus says the Lord: "I shall cut
off thy posterity, till there is
not left a single man to piss
against the wall."
(beat)
"The dogs shall lick up the blood
of thy house, as they licked up
the blood of Naboth."
Elijah turns and heads out of the vineyard.
Looking off after Elijah, Ahab rises. After a moment, as
Jehu regards him, Ahab puts on a lamely defiant air:
AHAB
You can't believe half of what
these prophets say. Which one
may speak for God?
A beat, Ahab still clearly rattled. He turns to go.
EXT. JEHU'S HOME - DAY
REESTABLISHING SHOT. OVERLAP SOUND:
JERUSHA (V.O.)
(cry of agony)
INT. JEHU'S HOME - DAY
Jerusha lies crying out and moaning in labor, a MIDWIFE and
JEHU'S MOTHER, both 50-ish, attending her.
EXT. THE PALACE - JEZREEL - NIGHT
ISRAELITE SOLDIER #3 rides his horse into the torchlit
courtyard and dismounts.
The soldier hands a sealed letter to an ISRAELITE OFFICER,
standing with ISRAELITE PALACE GUARDS near the entrance.
SOLDIER #3
From the palace in Samaria, for my
lord Jehu, commander of the guard.
INT. JEHU'S QUARTERS - JEZREEL PALACE - NIGHT
Jehu opens the letter as the Israelite Officer exits.
Jehu reads the message. He is stunned.
EXT. JEHU'S HOME - SAMARIA - DAY
Professional WOMEN MOURNERS cry and lament in front of
the house.
INT. JEHU'S HOME - DAY
Jehu, FRIENDS, and RELATIVES sit in mourning. One MALE
MOURNER is quietly reciting a lament.
Jehu's mother brings his INFANT SON to Jehu. As Jehu
holds the child in his arms, Jehu's mother sits down
beside him.
JEHU
What shall I name him, Mother?
(pause)
It is said . . . that the dying
Rachel named hers Benoni . . .
"Son of my sorrow."
A beat. His mother puts her arm around Jehu.
JEHU'S MOTHER
Why don't you name him Jehoahaz?
(beat)
"God reached out to hold him," when
he might have been lost.
After a moment, as Jehu is holding the infant,
CUT TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS - ISRAEL - DAY
Whistling wind blows dust across the bare ground.
SUPERIMPOSE:
7 YEARS LATER, 862 B.C.
After this, SUPERIMPOSE:
A THIRD YEAR OF FAMINE
INT. ROYAL PALACE - SAMARIA - DAY
Ahab is angrily pacing, as Obadiah stands by.
Jezebel sits reading a scroll to her daughter ATHALIAH, 8,
while her sons AHAZIAH, 7, and JEHORAM, 6, play with a
gaming-board involving pegs and holes.
AHAB
You cannot find him? I assign you
two thousand men, and you cannot
find me Elijah the Tishbite?
OBADIAH
We continue to search, my lord.
There are other prophets, sire,
who could -
AHAB
(interrupting)
Yes, the land crawls with these
flea-bitten men of God. It is
Elijah who leads them.
OBADIAH
We have used Micaiah before, who -
AHAB
(interrupting)
Micaiah? I hate him! He never
prophesies anything good.
(then)
Find Elijah. Tell him he is not
to be harmed. The king wishes
to see him.
Jehu casually steps in at the door, accompanied by his son
JEHOAHAZ, 7. Jezebel looks fed up with Ahab's complaining.
JEZEBEL
Have the four hundred prophets of
Baal not assured us, my lord, that
the rains are to come?
AHAB
I want to know what the Lord God
of Israel says!
(to Obadiah)
Go and find me Elijah!
OBADIAH
Yes, my lord O king.
As Obadiah heads for the door, Ahab shouts after him,
AHAB
Have you looked in Tishbe? He's
a Tishbite!
Ahaziah, with Jehoram following, takes the gaming-board,
as if something is wrong with it, to Ahab.
AHAZIAH
Father -
Ahab, his pacing blocked by the boys, slaps the board
out of Ahaziah's hands.
AHAB
Get out of my way, you worthless,
rotten little - !
As Jezebel bolts out of her chair:
JEZEBEL
(interrupting)
Who do you call worthless!
As Jehu silently sends his son Jehoahaz out of the room,
Jezebel moves toward Ahab.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
How dare you speak that way to our
children.
AHAB
Hold your tongue, you Sidonian whore.
The king will do as he wishes.
Jezebel slaps him, Ahab slaps Jezebel - she almost falls,
but Jehu has come forward and grabs her. Athaliah cries
out in terror.
As Jehu moves Jezebel out of the way:
JEHU
My lord O king -
AHAB
(to Jezebel)
I could have you taken out and
stoned, you witch.
As Jezebel comforts Athaliah, who clings to her:
JEZEBEL
(to Ahab)
You would not have the courage.
Jezebel spits at Ahab. He glares at her.
AHAB
You speak of our children? Yes.
I will claim Ahaziah. The girl
doesn't matter. This one?
As Ahab gets in Jehoram's face:
AHAB (cont'd)
Why do I sense that you are not
even my son?
Jezebel protectively beckons the lad:
JEZEBEL
Jehoram.
The bewildered boy goes to his mother.
As Ahab moves toward Jezebel, Jehu follows as if prepared
to intervene.
AHAB
I would not have the courage,
you say?
Ahab looks Jezebel in the eye.
AHAB (cont'd)
That you may soon find out.
(beat, then to Jehu)
Get her out of my sight.
Ahab moves away. Jezebel and Jehu glance at each other.
JEZEBEL
Come, children. The air in this
room is not fit to breathe.
Jezebel begins herding her children from the room.
EXT. JEHU'S HOME - DAY (A LATE AFTERNOON)
JEHU'S SERVANT, 30-ish, is pushing a large wheel-like
stone around, by its handle, in a stone olive press.
Jehu, apparently just arrived from palace duty, grabs a
couple of olives from the press to eat.
Jehoahaz has been playing. He has a plain wooden Asherah
figurine in his hands.
JEHOAHAZ
Father, why is King Ahab so mean?
Jehu, eating an olive, watches the servant work the press.
JEHU
The king has much on his mind.
As he should.
Jehu notes his son's toy.
JEHU (cont'd)
What is that?
JEHOAHAZ
It's an Asherah. Ahaziah gave
it to me.
Jehu snatches the Asherah from the boy's hand.
Enraged, Jehu throws the Asherah down, unsheathes his sword,
and ferociously chops the figurine in two.
Jehu grabs the frightened Jehoahaz by the arm, and looks
him in the eye.
JEHU
Repeat what I say.
(beat)
Thus says the Lord . . .
JEHOAHAZ
Thus says the Lord.
JEHU
"You shall have no other gods
before me."
Jehoahaz looks too scared to speak. Jehu shakes him.
JEHU (cont'd)
Say it!
JEHOAHAZ
"You shall have no other gods
before me."
Jehu's mother is watching from a window of the house,
as if wondering what has happened.
JEHU
"You shall make for yourself no
graven image."
JEHOAHAZ
"You shall make for yourself -
no graven image."
JEHU'S MOTHER
Jehu?
JEHU
(to Jehoahaz)
Ahaziah and Jehoram and Athaliah
may worship the gods of their
Sidonian mother. But Jehoahaz
bar-Jehu, I swear by the Lord,
will not.
A pause. Having made his point, Jehu speaks in a calmer tone,
JEHU (cont'd)
Or I may have to be mean, like
King Ahab.
A beat. Jehu gives his son a hug, then,
JEHU (cont'd)
Pick up those pieces, take them
to your grandmother, and tell
her to burn them.
Jehoahaz dutifully picks up the pieces, and heads toward
Jehu's mother.
Jehu, still looking troubled, watches him. OVERLAP SOUND:
JEZEBEL (V.O.)
I am afraid, Luli.
INT. A CORRIDOR - THE PALACE - SAMARIA - DAY
Jezebel and high priest Luli are walking at a leisurely pace.
They speak quietly:
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
The king is looking for Elijah, leader
of the Israelite prophets. He hasn't
been seen since this famine began.
LULI
Perhaps Elijah has died from the famine.
JEZEBEL
I fear what Elijah may tell him to do.
Tear down the temple of Baal, put its
priests to the sword, to appease the
wrath of his God.
They stop at a closed door.
JEZEBEL (cont’d)
The problem for Ahab is, he fears the
wrath of Baal too. The king, you see,
is a cowardly weakling.
As Jezebel opens the door:
JEZEBEL (cont’d)
He has one God out to kill him, he thinks -
INT. THE BAAL PRIEST'S QUARTERS/SHRINE - DAY
As Jezebel and Dathan come in from the corridor:
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
- so why should he try for another.
The quarters include a Baal image and an Asherah statuette.
Luli steps to a desk to look at a clay tablet and papyrus,
as Jezebel closes the door.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
Dathan has been working on copying the
legend of Keret.
As Jezebel walks over to Luli:
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
I told him you will want to see him
before you leave.
Jezebel puts her arms around him.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
You may be in danger, Luli. Go back
to Sidon, until it is safe, then
return to me.
Jezebel gives him a kiss. For some reason Luli turns from her,
and takes a couple of steps away.
LULI
No, the famine may soon be over. It
is time again for the autumn rains.
We must pray they will come this year -
if it please the Prince Lord of Earth.
Jezebel moves to him, to cling to his back.
LULI (cont’d)
I must pray here, in the Samaria temple,
on behalf of those I serve. I cannot
run away to Sidon.
Jezebel moves in front of him and starts to kiss him again, but
Luli restrains her.
LULI (cont’d)
Jezebel . . .
Jezebel looks at him questioningly. Luli sighs, then,
LULI (cont’d)
I am going to marry.
A pause, Jezebel stunned.
LULI (cont’d)
I want a wife and children, and - I
have met someone, here in Samaria.
Jezebel steps back, staring at him.
LULI (cont'd)
I still love you, and I always
will. But I cannot have you.
And I have my life to live.
(after a moment)
You understand, don't you?
A pause, Jezebel staring at him.
JEZEBEL
Yes . . . I understand why you
cannot run to Sidon.
LULI
It is not because of her. I
could take her with me to Sidon,
if I felt that endangered.
(beat)
I stay, for now, because of the
people I serve here . . . You
can understand that.
JEZEBEL
(beat)
Yes.
A pause, then,
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
After all I have done, you would
give your love to another.
LULI
To love someone openly, yes.
Should I forsake her, to continue
meeting you, in secret, as this
moment or that may allow? No,
Jezebel, I would go mad. I am
half mad already.
(beat)
I am sorry. We must not meet
again.
A pause. Jezebel tries to put on a brave face.
JEZEBEL
Then goodbye.
(beat)
As they say here in Israel: May
you be fruitful, and multiply.
Luli sadly watches her leave.
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - PALACE - SAMARIA - NIGHT
Jezebel weeps like a child while Orah tries to comfort her.
JEZEBEL
Oh Orah . . . You know how much
I love him . . . I can never
love anyone else.
Orah gently strokes Jezebel's hair.
ORAH
But you are a queen, my lady
. . . and you have three young
children to care for.
JEZEBEL
Yes . . . All I ever wanted was
children by Luli.
Orah continues stroking the weeping queen's hair.
EXT. A PEASANT'S HUT - DAY
FOUR ISRAELITE SOLDIERS arrive on horses at a peasant's
hut below Israel's Mount Carmel, near the Mediterranean.
A PEASANT, 35, comes humbly out of the hut, his SON, 15,
behind him. They look thin and weak from the famine.
As SOLDIERS #3 and #4 dismount and head for the hut:
SOLDIER #5
(to peasant)
We are looking for Elijah the
prophet.
PEASANT
I do not know him.
Soldiers #3 and #4 enter the hut to search. The peasant
seems concerned only with the cloudless sky.
PEASANT (cont'd)
When do you think we'll have rain?
EXT. MOUNT CARMEL - DAY
A 30-ish, bearded MAN in haircloth is peeking down from a
rocky vantage point near the mountain's crest.
He is ELISHA. He is watching the soldiers below ride away from
the peasant's hut.
As he starts to leave his vantage point, Elisha sees something
else, off toward the horizon, that grabs his attention.
After a moment, he moves off for:
INT./EXT. A CAVE - THE MOUNTAINSIDE - DAY
The prophet Elijah sits musing near the mouth of the dark cave,
as Elisha appears outside from below.
ELISHA
Master! Come see!
Elijah looks out at Elisha, who heads back down the mountainside.
Elijah picks up his staff as he rises.
EXT. MOUNT CARMEL - DAY
Elisha points off as Elijah moves to his side.
ELISHA
Look there.
From this height the Mediterranean can be seen in the distance.
Above the sea is a single dark cloud, shaped somewhat like a
hand raised upward.
ELISHA (cont'd)
A cloud like the hand of a man,
rising out of the sea.
Elijah is staring off at the cloud as if transfixed. After
a long moment,
ELIJAH
And a still, small voice . . .
They continue gazing at the cloud for a moment.
ELIJAH (cont'd)
The rains are to come.
Elijah thinks anxiously for a moment, Elisha awaiting his words.
ELIJAH (cont'd)
You asked me why we built those two
altars. Now you will see their purpose.
Gather wood for the fires, and bring
two sacrificial bulls, for day after
tomorrow, when the Lord shall send rain.
Elijah starts hurrying down the mountain.
ELISHA
Master, day after tomorrow may be too
late! If more clouds come, it will -
ELIJAH
(interrupting)
It will not rain till day after tomorrow!
EXT. ROYAL PALACE - SAMARIA - DAY
Dark clouds have appeared. There is distant thunder.
EXT. A BALCONY - THE PALACE - DAY
Ahab stands looking off at the dark clouds, Obadiah beside
him.
AHAB
Hear the thunder.
OBADIAH
But will there be rain?
(beat)
Last year, my lord, there were
also such days as this. But the
Lord God never sent rain.
GUARD #1 (o.s.)
(from inside)
My lord O king!
Ahab and Obadiah turn quizzically. They head into:
INT. THE KING'S QUARTERS - DAY
Entering from the balcony, Ahab and Obadiah find Israelite
Palace Guard #1 waiting at the door from the corridor.
GUARD #1 (cont'd)
It is Elijah the prophet, my lord.
AHAB
They have found him.
GUARD #1
He was not found, my lord. He -
Elijah, staff in hand, comes walking in past the guard.
He goes halfway to Ahab and stops. Ahab, anxious, is
also a bit amused.
AHAB
You have found me, O my enemy?
Elijah stares at him. As Ahab gestures toward the balcony:
AHAB (cont'd)
Does the Lord God send rain?
ELIJAH
(beat)
Thus says the Lord: "Send and gather
all Israel to Mount Carmel. Also the
high priest and four hundred prophets
of Baal. Have them gather day after
tomorrow."
Elijah turns to go.
AHAB
Why to Mount Carmel, O man of God?
Elijah stops and turns.
ELIJAH
The Lord has spoken. Obey, or
there shall be no rain.
Elijah turns and walks out.
EXT. A STREET - SAMARIA - NIGHT
Mounted ISRAELITE SOLDIER #6 rides along the street, CITIZENS
coming out of their homes to hear:
SOLDIER #6
To Mount Carmel! Come join the
king of Israel at Mount Carmel!
Day after tomorrow!
EXT. TEMPLE OF BAAL - SAMARIA - DAY
ISRAELITE SOLDIER #7, 40, and several other SOLDIERS ascend
the steps.
INT. THE TEMPLE - DAY
Israelite Soldier #7 walks up to Luli, while the others wait
outside the double doors A few BAAL PRIESTS are in b.g.
SOLDIER #7
High Priest, you are to be at Mount
Carmel tomorrow, by order of the king.
LULI
So I have heard.
SOLDIER #7
You must come with me now. You must
help us round up Baal's four hundred
prophets.
EXT. MOUNT CARMEL - NIGHT
Under overcast sky, Elisha, the peasant, and the peasant's son
are busy bringing fire wood up to two stones altars, a few yards
apart near the crest, and facing the plain below.
For light, two torches burn at the altars. Lightning flashes
above. Elisha looks up at the heavens, the peasant nearby.
ELISHA
Hold off a bit longer, O Lord. Hold
off a bit longer.
The peasant looks heavenward too.
PEASANT
No, Lord, the sooner the better.
ELISHA
Shut up, you fool!
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - DAY (NEXT MORNING)
Jezebel awakes to the sound of soldiers and horses outside.
She looks curiously toward the window.
EXT. THE PALACE - DAY
Appearing at her window in a robe, Jezebel sees Ahab with
his DRIVER leaving in a chariot, with an escort of SOLDIERS
on horses. Dark clouds overhead.
Jezebel looks over at Jehu, who is watching the departure
from a balcony.
JEZEBEL
Jehu! Where is King Ahab going?
JEHU
To Mount Carmel.
JEZEBEL
What for?
JEHU
To meet Elijah the prophet.
Jezebel looks concerned - then indifferent.
JEZEBEL
So. They have found him.
(mockingly)
Are they going to pray for rain?
Jezebel turns from the window.
EXT. A DRY PLAIN - ISRAEL - DAY
Under a dark cloudy sky, a great WAVE OF ISRAELITES, on
foot, on MULES, and in carts, is heading for Mount Carmel.
Luli and the 400 PROPHETS of BAAL ride on mules.
EXT. MOUNT CARMEL - DAY
Elijah and his servant Elisha, standing near the altars,
are watching the multitude approaching the mountain.
TWO LIVE BULLS stand near the altars and the pile of
altar wood.
Elijah and Elisha are joined by Ahab and his escort of
soldiers, who have walked up the mountain on foot.
As Ahab gestures toward the oncoming people:
AHAB
I have brought them to you, O
man of God - the people, and
the four hundred prophets of
Baal.
As Elijah watches the approaching multitude:
ELIJAH
And the high priest of Baal?
AHAB
Yes, O man of God.
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - SAMARIA PALACE - DAY
Jezebel finishes arranging little Athaliah's hair, Orah
looking on, as Jehu walks in.
JEHU
You wished to see me, my lady?
JEZEBEL
Yes. Go with Orah, Athaliah.
Orah and Athaliah leave.
Rising from her seat, Jezebel strolls coyly about for a
moment, her eyes avoiding Jehu's.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
I am glad you didn't go with the
king, for his meeting with that
prophet.
Now she looks at Jehu, and walks to him casually.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
I am lonely . . . As you know, I
no longer sleep with the king.
A beat. She desirously touches Jehu's arm.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
His touch . . . is revolting.
Her hand moves up to his shoulder.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
He has his concubines to keep him
serviced.
(pause, then)
Do you desire me?
After a moment, as they gaze at each other,
JEHU
Since the first day I saw you,
my lady.
A beat. Jezebel smiles, her lips moving toward his.
JEZEBEL
As I desired you.
They kiss, Jehu taking her in his arms.
EXT. MOUNT CARMEL - DAY
Elijah stands between the two altars, with firewood in
place, before him the throng of people extending down
the mountainside and into the plain below.
Near Elijah are Elisha and the two bulls. Above are
dark clouds and occasional low rumbles of thunder.
At the forefront of the throng are Luli and the 400
Baal prophets, before them one of the altars.
Ahab and his guards look on, several yards to one side
of the altars.
Elijah addresses Luli and the prophets, for all to hear:
ELIJAH
Choose one of these bulls for
yourselves, for sacrifice.
As Elijah gestures toward the first altar:
ELIJAH (cont'd)
Cut the bull in pieces, and lay it
on the wood - but set no fire to it.
As Elijah gestures toward the second altar:
ELIJAH (cont'd)
I will do the same with the other
bull. You then call on the name
of your god, and I will call on
the name of the Lord. And the
God who answers with fire, let
him be the living God!
The people cheer in agreement. Grim Luli looks over at Ahab,
who demonstratively gestures, with seeming impartiality, for
the prophets to proceed.
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - PALACE IN SAMARIA - DAY
Jezebel and Jehu lie down and begin making love.
EXT. MOUNT CARMEL - DAY
Luli stands praying while the prophets, calling upon Baal,
do a limping dance around the first altar, where the first
slain bull lies cut up on the unlit wood.
There is intermittent thunder and flashes of lightning in
the dark sky, as Elijah and the others watch the prophets
in their ritual.
PROPHETS
Hear us, O Baal! Send down thy
fire, O Prince Lord of Earth! Thy
lightning, O Rider of the Clouds!
O Mighty Baal, hear us!
As the prophets' pleas continue, Elijah laughs.
ELIJAH
Yes, cry aloud, call upon him, for
he is a god! Perhaps he is too busy
thinking, or he tends to some personal
need, or he has gone on a journey.
(beat)
I know, he's asleep! You must try
to awake him.
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - DAY
Jezebel and Jehu making love.
EXT. MOUNT CARMEL - DAY
Luli and the prophets appealing to Baal as before, Elijah
and the others watching. Wind has arisen.
ELIJAH
Enough!
As the prophets continue, Elijah moves to the second altar,
where the second cut-up bull lies on wood.
ELIJAH (cont'd)
I shall call upon the Lord God
of Israel.
As thunder and flashes of lightning continue overhead:
ELIJAH (cont'd)
Hear me, O Lord! Hear me, that
the people may know thou art God!
Ahab, fascinated, is startled by a loud peal of thunder.
ELIJAH (cont'd)
Hear me, that you may turn their
hearts back again!
The thunder and lightning are intensifying.
PRIESTS
(praying)
ELIJAH
Send down fire, O Lord, that the
people may know!
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - DAY
Jezebel and Jehu making love. Thunder can be heard,
there's a lightning flash outside the window.
JEZEBEL
Oh Jehu . . . you bring down the
lightning.
EXT. MOUNT CARMEL - DAY
Elijah and the Baal prophets praying as before, the
others watching. Thunder and lightning and wind.
Ahab winces as lightning strikes - in more than one
place? - somewhere off before him.
The people react, shouting and cheering, as fire has
appeared on the second altar, the wood smoking.
LULI
A trick! It is a trick, O king.
Lightning did not strike that altar.
ELIJAH
Behold the fire of the Lord!
An unconscious prophet is held up by his comrades, and
several others seem dazed.
LULI
The lightning struck these prophets!
This one is dead.
ELIJAH
The Lord strikes down prophets of
Baal. And the Lord has lit this
altar.
Ahab is staring in wonder at the altar.
LULI
It is deception, O king. Do you
not see?
Luli points at Elisha, standing innocently by the
burning altar.
LULI (cont'd)
That man set the fire.
As Luli points at the stricken prophets:
LULI (cont'd)
The lightning struck over here.
As thunder, lightning, and wind continue:
ELIJAH
What say ye the people?
PEOPLE
The Lord set the fire! The Lord
God sent lightning from heaven!
The Lord is the living God!
Elijah looks over at Ahab. The king falls to his knees.
AHAB
Praise the living God.
As Elijah points at the Baal prophets:
ELIJAH
(to the throng)
These are the ones who deceive,
who have sent Israel whoring
after other gods.
(then)
Take them! Take them all!
The throng surges forward to engulf Luli and the prophets.
ELIJAH (cont'd)
Let not one escape. Bring them
down to the river Kishon - to the
dry riverbed.
Ahab is still kneeling, watching, fearful, all seemingly out
of his hands now.
PEOPLE
To the Kishon! Lead us, O man
of God!
Elijah gestures and starts leading the way down the mountain,
Luli and the prophets in the hands of the throng.
ELIJAH
Bring them down.
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