EXT. KARKAR - DAY
ESTABLISHING SHOT of a fortress, manned with SOLDIERS, on the
Orontes River. SUPERIMPOSE:
KARKAR, SYRIA
At the front battlement, King Ben-Hadad and Sidonian Prince
NER, 30, stand looking grimly off at the plain across the
river. OFFICERS are with them.
The distant horizon is an ominous line of rising dust. It is
being churned up by the advancing ASSYRIAN ARMY - charioteers,
cavalry, and infantry by the thousands.
To one side of the fortress, ATTACK FORCE #1 is waiting to
attack, from behind terrain that conceals it from the
advancing enemy across the river.
Jehu, Eliezer, Jether, King Mesha, fellow CHARIOTEERS, and
INFANTRY, head up Attack Force #1, comprising men of six
nations.
Ahab is absent from his chariot, waiting between Jehu's and
Eliezar's. The KING'S DRIVER and SHIELD BEARER are present.
JEHU
(to the king's driver)
Where is the king?
KING'S DRIVER
He said he will be here shortly.
Ahab is moving anxiously among the many waiting charioteers.
He is looking at their faces. He finally picks one out:
AHAB
You. Come with me.
The charioteers exchange looks as the chosen CHARIOTEER
leaves his DRIVER in the chariot to follow Ahab.
From the fortress battlement, Ben-Hadad and his companions
continue to watch the dust-churning Assyrian advance.
Ahab appears beside Jehu's chariot, and takes hold of Jehu's
arm to get his attention. Jehu looks at him quizzically.
Ahab motions for Jehu to follow him.
INT. AHAB'S TENT - DAY
The perplexed-looking charioteer, who bears some resemblance
to Ahab, is waiting as Ahab and Jehu enter.
Ahab begins anxiously removing his royal clothing, Jehu
quizzically watching.
AHAB
You know well my sons Ahaziah
and Jehoram. They are fond of you,
both of them.
JEHU
And I of them, my lord.
AHAB
You know they are young, irresponsible.
Till Ahaziah is older, it would be
a disaster for Israel should anything
happen to me. A king in battle is a
tempting target for all. But we shall
outsmart them. I'll wear this
soldier's apparel, and he shall wear
mine.
(to the charioteer)
Start getting undressed.
(to Jehu)
He shall ride in my chariot, and I
in his. But you stay close to the
one I am in.
Ahab begins exchanging clothes with the charioteer. Jehu
looks heavenward in disgust.
EXT. ATTACK FORCE #1 - DAY
Returning to his chariot, Jehu looks over at Eliezer.
ELIEZER
What is happening?
JEHU
You don't want to know.
EXT. KARKAR - DAY
The advancing Assyrian army is closer to the fortress.
Ben-Hadad, Ner, and officers at the battlement are observing
the advance. Ner now quickly turns to leave the battlement.
EXT. ATTACK FORCE #1 - DAY
The charioteer, dressed as Ahab, joins the king's driver on
Ahab's chariot. The king's shield bearer waits beside it.
The king's driver glances at the charioteer, then does a
take, looking at him incredulously.
CHARIOTEER
(to driver)
Long live the king.
The driver and shield bearer look quizzically at each other.
The shield bearer looks over at Jehu, who like Eliezer is
stoically watching.
The shield bearer grudgingly boards the king's chariot. He
resents the charioteer's friendly smile.
Now pulling up on the other side of Jehu is the charioteer's
former chariot and driver. Ahab is aboard in the charioteer's
garb.
AHAB
(to Jehu)
Stay with me.
EXT. THE BATTLE OF KARKAR - SERIES OF SCENES - DAY
The Assyrians continue advancing. At the battlement of the
fortress Ben-Hadad turns and gives a signal. SYRIAN SOLDIER
#1 on a back wall signals to Attack Force #1.
MESHA
Charge!
On the opposite wall, SYRIAN SOLDIER #2 signals also, and
ATTACK FORCE #2 - led by kings Ihruleni and Basa in their
chariots - is now seen, hidden like Force #1, on the other
side of the fortress.
BASA
Charge!
Attack Forces #1 and #2 charge, fording the shallow river,
and attack the surprised Assyrians' flanks.
ATTACK FORCE #3, led by Prince Ner in his chariot, charges
out of the fortress, to attack the Assyrians head-on.
Jehu downs Assyrians using sword, spear, and arrows, while
keeping track of Ahab, fighting defensively.
The charioteer rides around in the battle, the shield bearer
protecting him.
Jether catches an arrow in the shoulder and falls from his
chariot. Before he can arise, he is killed with a spear by
ASSYRIAN SOLDIER #1 standing over him.
The chariot bearing Ahab overturns, throwing him out. As
Jehu sees it:
JEHU
(to his driver)
Halt!
As his chariot stops, Jehu leaps to the ground, only to see
ASSYRIAN SOLDIER #2 stab Ahab, still on the ground, with his
sword.
As the Assyrian turns, he is killed by Jehu with a sword to
the gut.
Jehu kneels down to Ahab, still conscious, holding his
bleeding wound, fear of death in his eyes. Jehu picks up
Ahab and heads for the chariot.
INT. AHAB'S TENT - DAY
Jehu brings in Ahab and lays him down. Jehu's driver has
followed.
JEHU
(to driver)
Go to the fortress, tell them
the king needs attending.
The driver gets going, leaving Jehu and Ahab alone.
Jehu has knelt to lean over Ahab, still conscious but gasping.
AHAB
(weakly)
Is it bad, Jehu? Am I going to die?
JEHU
Help is on the way, my lord.
Ahab weakly clutches Jehu's shoulder.
AHAB
Thank you, Jehu . . . I will try
to - Uhhh!
Ahab has suddenly reacted as if he were stabbed again, his
hand falling from Jehu's shoulder.
Jehu pulls the blade of his sword out of Ahab's gut, and
rises. He watches Ahab die.
Jehu, sheathing his sword, turns to go.
EXT. KARKAR - DAY (SUNSET)
The sun is setting on the plain, strewn with BODIES of men
and horses, and wrecked chariots.
The four kings, Ner, and officers, including Jehu and
Eliezer, stand looking off from the fortress battlement.
BEN-HADAD
What say you, my lords? Have
we fought to a standoff, or will
they come back?
NER
Time will tell.
Ben-Hadad looks over sympathetically at Eliezer and Jehu.
BEN-HADAD
And what now for Israel?
JEHU
I will send word, my lord, to
the queen mother Jezebel.
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - SAMARIA PALACE - NIGHT
Jezebel sits calmly waiting, the letter before her, as her
sons Ahaziah and Jehoram come in.
AHAZIAH
You sent for us, Mother?
JEZEBEL
Yes. Be seated.
The teenagers sit down.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
Your father the king is dead.
The boys exchange stunned looks.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
He fell in battle at Karkar.
Ahaziah sighs, putting on a solemn air.
AHAZIAH
No king of Israel ever met a nobler
death.
JEZEBEL
He was slain while disguised as
a common soldier.
The boys look like they want to laugh, but don't.
JEHORAM
Poor Father. He could never do
anything right.
JEZEBEL
You, Ahaziah, are king of Israel.
The bright-eyed boys glance at each other.
EXT. WINDOW OF AHAZIAH'S QUARTERS - PALACE - NIGHT
It is an upper window with wood lattice, through which the
boys (o.s.) can be heard laughing.
INT. AHAZIAH'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Celebrating with wine, Ahaziah and Jehoram horseplay like
the rambunctious teenagers they are. They're laughing and
shoving each other.
JEHORAM
Shall I now have to call you, "My
lord O king"?
As they laugh, Ahaziah giving Jehoram a shove:
AHAZIAH
Yes. And I shall call you, "That
little princeling who shall never
be king!"
As Jehoram chases Ahaziah around:
JEHORAM
Why, you! . . . This prince shall
command your respect, "O king"!
Laughing, Ahaziah stops in front of the lattice.
AHAZIAH
Say that again. I like the sound
of "O king."
Jehoram shoves him hard, and drunk Ahaziah falls backwards,
crashing through the lattice and straight out the window.
Jehoram steps backward in shock, as he stares at the gaping
hole, with dark night beyond, in the window's splintered
lattice.
Now Jehoram rushes to the window and sticks his head out
the hole.
JEHORAM
Ahaziah!?
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - NIGHT (TWO MINUTES LATER)
Jezebel sits with her hands to her face as she grieves,
Obadiah, Orah, and Dathan standing by.
After a moment, Jezebel tries to compose herself.
JEZEBEL
I must go see Jehoram.
INT. JEHORAM'S QUARTERS - NIGHT
Jehoram sits in shock, looking scared, palace steward Bela
with him, as Jezebel enters, Obadiah behind her.
Jezebel walks over and sits down by Jehoram.
JEHORAM
(nervously)
He fell through the lattice. How
is he?
Jezebel puts a comforting arm around Jehoram.
JEZEBEL
You, Jehoram, are the new king
of Israel.
Jehoram has a priceless look of ambivalence.
EXT. SITE OF THE TEMPLE OF BAAL - SAMARIA - DAY
It's a day or so later, as Jezebel and Jehoram stroll at the
abandoned, rock-strewn site where the temple of Baal once
stood. PALACE GUARDS and PASSERSBY in b.g.
JEZEBEL
I brought you here, to the temple,
as a child. Do you remember?
JEHORAM
Yes, Mother.
JEZEBEL
You must do something for me - and
for the Prince Lord of Earth.
Jehoram looks at her and waits. As her eyes roam the site:
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
Rebuild this house, for our lord
Mighty Baal.
She looks at Jehoram, and puts a hand on his shoulder.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
Voices shall rise against you.
They shall speak against the king,
and call your mother a sorceress.
Just as before. We must not let
that happen. You shall slay all
the prophets of the Lord God of
Israel.
Jehoram looks at her frowningly.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
Many of them stay not far from
Samaria, on the road to Shechem.
JEHORAM
Did you say slay them all, Mother?
JEZEBEL
Yes . . .
Jezebel's eyes have a faraway look.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
Beginning with Elijah the Tishbite.
EXT. KARKAR - DAY
FIVE ASSYRIAN HORSEMEN ride toward the fortress. The plain
is still strewn with looted CORPSES and debris.
The four kings, Ner, Jehu, Eliezer, and other officers appear
at the battlement.
The horsemen stop within shouting distance.
One of them, ASSYRIAN OFFICER #1, steps his horse forward and
addresses the kings:
OFFICER #1
(shouting)
I bring salutations to the kings in
the fortress of Karkar, from King
Shalmaneser of Assyria. Thus says
my lord the king: "You and your
warriors have fought bravely and
well. I return to the city of
Ashur," says King Shalmaneser.
"Say to the kings in the fortress
of Karkar: We shall meet again, on
a day of Assyria's choosing."
The kings and officers at the battlement exchange satisfied
looks. Ben-Hadad replies:
BEN-HADAD
(shouting)
Tell King Shalmaneser, for the
league of kings at Karkar: His
warriors also fought bravely and
well. We bid King Shalmaneser a
safe journey home.
As the Assyrians turn their horses and start riding away, the
fortress erupts in cheers.
EXT. THE ASSYRIAN CAMP - DAY
The five Assyrian horsemen ride into the camp, where the
SOLDIERS of Assyria are licking their wounds. Assyrian
Officer #1 dismounts and heads for:
INT. SHALMANESER'S TENT - DAY
Officer #1 kneels before the feared KING SHALMANESER III, 40,
cruel-looking, sitting on his portable throne.
Beside Shalmaneser's throne stands his 50-ish military
COMMANDER.
OFFICER #1
Praise to my lord King Shalmaneser,
subduer of the earth. I have
delivered thy message, O flayer
of Aleppo, to the kings in the
fortress of Karkar.
Shalmaneser speaks in a deep, regal voice:
SHALMANESER
And what did they reply?
OFFICER #1
That thy warriors fought bravely
and well, O king of the world.
And they wish my lord the king
Shalmaneser a safe journey home.
A beat, Shalmaneser staring at the officer. The king makes
a dismissive gesture with his hand.
COMMANDER
(to Officer #1)
You may leave the presence of our
glorious lord the king.
Officer #1 humbly rises.
OFFICER #1
A thousand praises, O impaler of
Sahlala, King Shalmaneser.
The officer leaves.
Shalmaneser bursts into tears. The commander begins
comfortingly holding him, the king sobbing.
COMMANDER
There, there, O king . . . We can
always come back . . . We will do
better next time.
EXT. ELIEZER'S TENT - COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT
Moonlit, other tents in b.g. as the Israelite army is
encamped. SUPERIMPOSE:
TWO WEEKS LATER
INT. ELIEZER'S TENT - NIGHT
Eliezer pours wine for himself and Jehu, who is musing.
ELIEZER
Tomorrow, when we reach Samaria,
you shall be acclaimed a hero of
Karkar.
Jehu looks at him quizzically.
JEHU
As will you, my general.
ELIEZER
We have a king who's no more than
a child, to be led by a mother who
ELIEZER (cont'd)
for years has been called a witch
and a harlot, devoted to the
worship of Baal. Will she not
rebuild her temple?
(beat)
No doubt her daughter Athaliah,
queen of Judah, will have a house
of Baal in Jerusalem, next to the
temple of Solomon.
JEHU
Yes. I believe that Jezebel has
taught her daughter well.
ELIEZER
You are commander of the palace
guard. If you wish to take matters
into your hands, you shall have my
support. There is no one more
capable than Jehu bar-Nimshi.
Jehu regards Eliezer.
JEHU
Why not you? And you are one man.
What of the other generals?
ELIEZER
My judgment is valued among them.
I am a soldier. It is all I care
to be, I am not a man of ambition.
But if you decide to take measures,
Jehu, I can assure you, you will
not stand alone.
A beat, Jehu thinking. Eliezer leans toward him.
ELIEZER (cont'd)
I repeat, Jehu: We are behind you.
EXT. COMMUNITY OF PROPHETS - ISRAEL - NIGHT
REESTABLISHING SHOT of the prophets' simple cluster of
houses. It is a clear, starry night.
INT. MAIN HOUSE - NIGHT
Some twenty prophets sit on the floor, in prayer and
meditation, in the humble, candlelit structure.
One is Elisha, shaggy, now wearing Elijah's mantle. He
quietly breaks the silence:
ELISHA
Hear the words of the Lord through
Elijah, before he was taken up.
All eyes turn to Elisha.
ELISHA (cont'd)
"When our warriors return from
Karkar, there is one you shall
anoint king of Israel."
EXT. ELIEZER'S TENT - NIGHT
Jehu sits in contemplation beneath the starry sky.
Eliezer joins him. Eliezer looks up at the stars.
ELIEZER
And the Lord God said, "I will
bless you, and will multiply your
seed as the stars of heaven."
JEHU
When we get to Samaria . . .
Eliezer looks at Jehu with calm anticipation.
JEHU (cont'd)
. . . I will have a talk with the
queen mother Jezebel.
INT. THE MAIN HOUSE - COMMUNITY OF PROPHETS - NIGHT
The prophets are asleep, the house dark but for moonlight
through the front window.
Suddenly the door crashes open, and in from the night come
several dark-cloaked, sword-wielding ASSASSINS.
They begin hacking the awaking prophets to death. During the
chaos, Elisha scrambles out the back window.
EXT. THE COMMUNITY - NIGHT
Elisha runs off into the night, away from the sounds of the
slaughter inside the house.
EXT. A STREET - SAMARIA - DAY
CITIZENS along the street cheer as Jehu and Eliezer with
their drivers ride at the head of charioteers returning from
Karkar.
EXT. ROYAL PALACE - SAMARIA - DAY
Jehu, Eliezer, and their drivers arrive in their chariots.
Waiting to greet them are the 15-year-old King Jehoram,
Jezebel, and Judah's King AZARIAH, 25.
PALACE GUARDS and Azariah's JUDAHITE GUARDS #1 and #2, both
30-ish, provide the royal party's security. A large CROWD is
present for the greeting.
As Jehu and Eliezer are about to leave their chariots:
ELIEZER
Who is that with them?
JEHU
Her son-in-law, King Azariah of
Judah.
Moments later, Jehu and Eliezer present themselves to Jehoram.
JEHORAM
Welcome home, General. Welcome
home, Guard Commander. Meet our
guest, King Azariah of Judah.
Jehu and Eliezer give bows of the head to Azariah. Jehu's
eyes move quickly to Jezebel, whose eyes are upon him. Jehu
bows as Jezebel smiles, her eyes caressing him.
JEHU
My lady.
JEZEBEL
Welcome home.
INT. JEHORAM'S QUARTERS - THE PALACE - DAY
Jehoram and Azariah have been listening to Jehu and Eliezer.
JEHORAM
What a battle it must have been.
Azariah, don't you wish now you had
been there?
Azariah clearly doesn't appreciate the question.
AZARIAH
Yes, but the league understood that
our little kingdom had little to
offer militarily.
JEHU
If I may, I would like to visit the
queen mother while we're here. For
some personal words about your late
father King Ahab.
JEHORAM
Of course, Guard Commander.
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - DAY
Jezebel sits waiting. Jehu strides in. He closes the door
behind him, as Jezebel rises. He walks over to her.
They begin hungrily kissing. As they passionately embrace:
JEZEBEL
Oh Jehu . . . You are mine now,
with Ahab gone. I love you.
JEHU
Yes. We can soon be together now.
Jezebel smiles, but looks uncertain of his meaning.
JEZEBEL
Are you still my commander of the
palace guard?
JEHU
I have been urged to assume the
kingship.
Jezebel looks stunned.
JEHU (cont'd)
Listen. Your son Jehoram would not
be harmed. You and he could go
into exile in Sidon. Just for a
time. Then I will bring you back -
as my queen.
Jezebel looks at him coldly.
JEZEBEL
I see. So my son simply gives you
his throne.
JEHU
For king, Israel needs a man who
follows the Lord, not a boy who
whores after other gods in the
ways of his cowardly father.
JEZEBEL
And what of my God Mighty Baal?
JEHU
You will forget about Baal! I have
just returned from a bloody battle,
fought to protect this kingdom.
Must I protect it now from your
cursed idolatry?
They glare at each other.
JEHU (cont'd)
I will not let Israel turn her back
on the God who gives her victory.
It would mean her destruction.
You will forget Baal and get over
your high priest Luli.
Jezebel looks at him hatefully at the mention of Luli.
JEZEBEL
You were pleased, weren't you -
JEHU
I am sorry, I should not have -
JEZEBEL
(interrupting)
You were pleased to see the dead
bodies of Luli and the prophets,
in the mud at the river Kishon.
JEHU
No, I was not. I take no pleasure
in death. But it was God's
judgment. As the Lord God told
Moses, "Vengeance is mine."
(beat, then)
Jezebel, I offer you this chance -
the only way - that we might be
together, if I should assume the
throne.
JEZEBEL
I will not forsake the God of my
fathers for yours.
(then)
"Assume the throne"? First you
will have to kill us - Jehoram and
me - as Zimri murdered King Elah.
And let me assure you, commander,
ours is also a God of vengeance.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
Go ask the prophets of your God -
if you can find one.
Jehu stares at her quizzically - and Jezebel seems to sense
she has said too much.
JEHU
The prophets of God? . . . What
have you done to them?
Jezebel tries to turn away, but Jehu grabs her roughly by the
arm and pulls her back.
JEHU (cont'd)
Have you made good on your threat -
after all these years - to Elijah
the Tishbite?
JEZEBEL
Threat? How do you know I made any
threat? Let go of my arm.
Jehu turns her loose with a shove.
JEHU
I will find out, my lady.
As Jehu heads for the door:
JEHU (cont'd)
And we shall see . . .
Jehu stops at the door and looks back, Jezebel returning a
defiant look.
JEHU (cont'd)
As they saw at Mount Carmel - and,
yes, at the river Kishon - we shall
see whose God prevails.
Jehu exits.
Jezebel closes her eyes and heaves a sigh, as if anguished,
remorseful, or both.
INT. KING'S QUARTERS - THE PALACE - DAY (MOMENTS LATER)
Jehoram and Azariah are about to start a game, using a gaming
board, as Jezebel enters, looking distracted.
JEZEBEL
Is Eliezer gone?
JOHORAM
He just left.
JEZEBEL
Good. Let us go to Jezreel.
JEHORAM
Jezreel?
JEZEBEL
Yes, I don't like this place. I
want to go back to Jezreel.
(to Azariah))
Would you like to visit Jezreel, my
lord?
AZARIAH
Why yes, Athaliah speaks often of
the place. I would be pleased to
go see it.
EXT. JEHU'S HOME - DAY (MINUTES LATER)
Jehu arrives in his chariot. His mother, his son JEHOAHAZ,
now a manly 16, and a few FAMILY FRIENDS are waiting to
welcome him.
Leaving his chariot, Jehu first hugs his mother.
JEHU
Mother . . .
JEHU'S MOTHER
The Lord bless you, my son.
Jehu hugs Jehoahaz.
JEHOAHAZ
We're so proud of you, Father.
JEHU
Jehoahaz, tell me. Has something
happened to the prophets?
JEHOAHAZ
They are dead, Father, almost all
of them. They were slain in the
dead of night. A few are left in
hiding.
INT. ELIEZER'S HOME - NIGHT
Jehu and Eliezer are drinking wine together. Jehu has had
several cups. He looks lost in thought, Eliezer regarding
him.
JEHU
When I hunted the high places,
every town seemed to have its
own Baal . . . Baal Berith, Baal
Haman . . . They are all considered
one, but Baal is like Leviathan,
who had seven heads. How do you
kill a serpent with seven heads?
ELIEZER
You lob off the heads.
JEHU
Yes . . . And pray they do not grow
back.
EXT. THE HORIZON - DAY (EARLY MORNING)
The sun is rising.
INT./EXT. JEHU'S HOME - DAY (EARLY MORNING)
On his bed Jehu lies half-awake, still in his tunic.
Glancing out the window, Jehu's mother does a take.
She sees the mystical figure of a man in a prophet's mantle,
standing near the house with his staff, with the glare of
the sunrise behind him.
As she turns in wonder from the window:
JEHU'S MOTHER
Jehu, there is a man of God
outside.
Jehu rises expectantly to go outside.
EXT. JEHU'S HOME - DAY (EARLY MORNING)
Coming out of the house, Jehu walks over to the man. It is
Elisha. They gaze at each other.
JEHU
You are the servant of Elijah.
Elisha speaks quietly, almost hypnotically, with spellbinding
eyes:
ELISHA
I was. He anointed me. Now I,
Elisha, am one of the prophets.
One of the few left alive.
JEHU
And your master Elijah?
ELISHA
He did not perish. He was taken up.
JEHU
Taken up?
ELISHA
In a chariot of fire.
JEHU
Elijah once told me we would meet
again. Was he not then a prophet?
ELISHA
I am his anointed. His spirit is
upon me. I am wearing his mantle.
JEHU
What would the Lord have me do?
Elisha is gazing at Jehu, who seems almost entranced by those
eyes.
ELISHA
Destroy the wickedness and sorcery
of the house of Ahab. Kneel before
me.
Jehu kneels.
ELISHA (cont'd)
King Jehoram is at Jezreel, along
with his wicked mother.
Elisha takes a goatskin flask from his girdle, and opens it.
Jehu's mother and Jehoahaz are watching from the window of
the house.
ELISHA (cont'd)
With them is King Azariah, whose
queen, a daughter of Jezebel,
now builds a temple of Baal, in
Jerusalem of Judah. When will
this pestilence end?
Kneeling Jehu has a faraway look in his eyes. Elisha steps
closer, and holds the flask over Jehu's head.
ELISHA (cont'd)
Thus says the Lord . . . "I anoint
thee, Jehu bar-Nimshi . . . "
Elisha pours anointing (olive) oil from the flask onto Jehu's
head. As drops stream down Jehu's face:
ELISHA (cont'd)
" . . . king of Israel."
For a few moments Jehu remains kneeling, in his eyes a
transfixed look. Then Jehu slowly rises, to stand before
Elisha.
ELISHA (cont'd)
Jehoram, Azariah, and Jezebel.
They are all three at Jezreel.
Jehu has a fixed stare as he listens.
ELISHA (cont'd)
There is only thing to do.
INT. STABLE - JEHU'S HOUSE - DAY
Jehu is readying his two-horse chariot, Jehoahaz and Jehu's
servant helping him. Jehu is grim, Jehoahaz seems afraid to
ask questions.
The servant moves off for something. As Jehu glances at
Jehoahaz:
JEHU
Bridle a horse, my son, and take a
message. To General Eliezer, at
his home. Tell him . . . I have
been anointed king of Israel.
Jehu's mother has approached from the house, and stands
listening.
JEHU (cont'd)
Tell him I request he take a company
of soldiers, to meet me, at the
Jezreel palace.
A beat. Jehoahaz has a hesitant look.
JEHU (cont'd)
Go.
Jehoahaz dutifully turns and moves off. As Jehu continues
readying his chariot, his Mother moves to him.
JEHU'S MOTHER
Jehu, send word to the king and the
queen mother Jezebel. A warning.
Give them time to flee.
As Jehu keeps working:
JEHU
Time to flee? To go and plot a
return in the name of their god?
Spare the king of Judah as well,
wed to Jezebel's daughter? The
Lord has spoken.
JEHU'S MOTHER
Give them time to flee.
Jehu works, ignoring her.
EXT. THE GARDEN - JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
Jezebel sits somberly looking off as the priest Dathan reads
to her:
DATHAN
(reading)
"Now the time of his rains Baal
will keep,
His thunder will - "
JEZEBEL
(interrupting)
Dathan . . . I think it is time
that you went home to Sidon.
DATHAN
My lady, have I not served you
faithfully, for all of these years?
JEZEBEL
Yes. But it's no longer safe here.
DATHAN
If anything were to happen to you,
and I were in Sidon, I could never
forgive myself, for not being here
when most needed.
Jezebel looks at him fondly and sadly. Dathan resumes
reading to her:
DATHAN (cont'd)
(reading)
"His thunder will be heard in the
clouds,
His lightning he will send to the
earth . . . "
EXT. PLAIN OF JEZREEL - DAY
Jehu and his driver are riding Jehu's chariot, the two horses
galloping, Jehu's face set with grim resolve.
EXT. AT THE BATTLEMENT - JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
A WATCHMAN stands looking off across the largely flat, open
Jezreel Plain.
He sees Jehu's chariot is coming in the far distance, a cloud
of dust behind it.
The watchman turns to hurry off.
INT. STABLE - JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
THREE MALE SERVANTS and the servant girl seen earlier at the
stable are hitching horses to two chariots, while Jehoram and
Azariah wait to go riding. Azariah pets one of the horses.
Looking on are Azariah's Judahite Guards #1 and #2.
AZARIAH
How far is it, brother-in-law,
to the river Kishon?
JEHORAM
It is a one-hour's journey, but
worth seeing - the place where they
died. A holy site to Baal.
The watchman comes in. He doesn't look concerned as he
speaks:
WATCHMAN
(to Jehoram)
A chariot is approaching, my lord.
It looks like the driving of Jehu.
As the watchman leaves, Jehoram smiles excitedly at Azariah.
JEHORAM
Jehu! Let us go meet him, Azariah,
and challenge him to a chariot race.
Jehoram heads for his chariot, the hitching almost done.
AZARIAH
His horses will already be tired.
JEHORAM
Exactly.
JUDAHITE GUARD #1
(to Azariah)
Shall we go with you, my lord?
JEHORAM
There is no need, you fellows.
Your king will be safe with Jehu.
He is one of the heroes of Karkar.
Azariah clearly feels slighted by the remark.
EXT. JEHU'S CHARIOT - DAY
Jehu and his driver are riding across the plain toward the
palace.
EXT. JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
Jehoram and Azariah drive their two-horse chariots out of
the stable.
INT. THE STABLE - DAY
As the servants are leaving, Judahite Guard #1 stops the
pretty servant girl, while Guard #2 hovers behind him.
JUDAHITE GUARD #1
Where is your friend I saw you with
earlier?
Guard #1 seems to think he's more charming than he looks.
The servant girl smiles a bit shyly.
SERVANT GIRL
I'll see if I can find her.
JUDAHITE GUARD #1
We'll wait here.
The servant girl leaves. As she's walking away, her smile
turns to a look of disgust.
EXT. THE PLAIN - DAY
Jehoram and Azariah are heading out from the palace in their
chariots.
EXT. JEHU'S CHARIOT - DAY
Jehu and his driver riding as before.
EXT. THE PLAIN - DAY
The driver stops Jehu's chariot, as Jehu is looking off ahead
at the two chariots coming toward him from the palace. Jehu
waits in his chariot.
Jehoram and Azariah bring their chariots to a stop, a few
yards in front of Jehu's. Jehoram smiles at Jehu.
JEHORAM
Jehu. Is it peace?
Jehoram's smile fades away as he is looking at Jehu's hard
stare.
JEHU
What peace can there be, with
the whoredoms of your mother
Jezebel?
Jehoram is now full of fear. He glances at Azariah, scared
too.
Jehoram lashes his horses. As Jehoram is turning his chariot
to head for the palace, Jehu picks up his bow and an arrow
from its quiver.
Azariah, seeing Jehu arming his bow while Jehoram flees for
the palace, is now terrified. Azariah lashes his horses and
takes off for the wide-open plain.
As Jehoram's chariot is racing for the palace, Jehu draws
his bow, takes careful aim, and shoots the arrow.
The arrow hits Jehoram squarely in the back. He falls
forward, leaning against the front rail of the moving
chariot.
Jehu looks off after fleeing Azariah.
JEHU (cont'd)
(to his driver)
Get out of the chariot.
The puzzled driver gets out, as Jehu takes the reins.
JEHU (cont'd)
Run to the palace. Tell the queen
mother Jezebel not to be there when
I get there. Tell her to flee for
Sidon.
DRIVER
Yes, sire.
As the driver starts running toward the palace:
JEHU
Tell her not to be in Jezreel!
Jehu begins turning his chariot.
INT./EXT. AN UPPER WINDOW - JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
Jezebel, glancing casually out the window, does a take, her
eyes arrested by something.
She sees Jehoram's chariot comes rolling into the courtyard,
Jehoram bent strangely over the front.
Jezebel's widened eyes now move to the plain. In the
distance, one chariot is chasing another, and a man (Jehu's
driver) is running toward the palace.
Jezebel is almost afraid to look down to the courtyard.
EXT. THE PALACE - DAY
Palace guards stop Jehoram's horses, Jehoram now fallen in
the chariot. From the window, Jezebel sees the arrow in her
son's bloodstained back.
JEZEBEL
No!! . . .
EXT. THE PLAIN - DAY
Jehu is chasing Azariah in their chariots.
EXT. JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
In the courtyard, grieving Jezebel sits on the ground,
rocking as she holds dead Jehoram in her arms, his blood on
her clothes.
Dathan stands praying over them, Orah weeps. Obadiah, Bela,
and palace guards and servants solemnly look on. Jehu's
driver waits in b.g.
JEZEBEL
O my two young kings of Israel.
How short was thy glory.
Judahite Guards #1 and #2 hurriedly arrive late from the
stable. They look at the scene with alarm.
JUDAHITE GUARD #1
Where is our King Azariah?
BELA
You had best go look for him.
The two guards run for the stable.
JEZEBEL
Is my daughter Queen of Judah not
a widow now too?
EXT. THE PLAIN - DAY
Jehu is chasing Azariah as before.
Azariah's chariot hits a boulder. The chariot overturns, the
horses drag it to a halt.
As Jehu stops his chariot, Azariah lies hurt on the ground.
Leaving his chariot, Jehu strides toward Azariah.
The terrified king gets up in agony, but he can't walk, he
crawls, crying in pain, Jehu following him.
Azariah stops and rolls onto his back. Jehu draws his sword,
Azariah looking up at him in agony and terror.
AZARIAH
No. Please . . .
Leaning forward, Jehu puts the tip of his sword to the young
king's gut.
JEHU
Tell me, O king of Judah: Has Queen
Athaliah built her house of Baal?
Jehu shoves in the sword. He pulls it out, and heads back to
his chariot.
Jehu wearily puts a hand on one of his tired, sweating horses.
JEHU (cont'd)
Time to rest, my young stallions.
Jehu pensively sits down to wait, elbows on knees, on the
step of his chariot.
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - JEZREEL PALACE - DAY
Jezebel, in her bloodstained clothes, sits calmly and sadly,
her elbow on a dressing table.
She has been listening to Jehu's driver. Obadiah and Dathan
are present, both looking grim. A palace guard waits outside
the door.
JEZEBEL
Is that all my lord Jehu said?
DRIVER
Yes, my lady. He said flee for
Sidon. He said, "Tell her not
to be in Jezreel."
JEZEBEL
(beat)
You are dismissed.
As the driver bows and leaves, Orah comes in.
Orah moves to Jezebel. She has brought Jezebel some plain
dark clothing or sackcloth for mourning.
ORAH
(somberly)
If you wish to wear this, my
lady . . .
JEZEBEL
No. He would like to come find me
in mourning.
Jezebel turns, to look at herself in a table mirror, made of
highly polished bronze.
JEZEBEL (cont'd)
Bring me my finest robe.
Orah turns to leave. Worried Obadiah steps forward.
OBADIAH
My lady, you must flee.
JEZEBEL
I flee no one! I have done my
duty as queen. I bore two kings of
Israel, and a queen of Judah. I
have served my God. I have nothing
to fear.
EXT. THE PLAIN - DAY
Jehu's chariot is coming with a cloud of dust.
EXT. JEHU'S CHARIOT - DAY
Jehu's face is grim, his eyes dead ahead as he drives.
EXT. THE PLAIN - DAY
Judahite Guards #1 and #2, searching the plain on horses,
spot Jehu's chariot heading toward the palace from a far
direction. There is no one else in sight on the plain.
The guards look off at a line of trees in the distance behind
Jehu.
JUDAHITE GUARD #2
He must be beyond those trees.
The guards head their horses toward the trees at a gallop.
EXT. JEHU'S CHARIOT - DAY
Jehu grimly driving as before.
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - DAY
Jezebel, in a fine robe, has made up her face at her table
mirror.
Obadiah and Bela stand helplessly watching her a few feet
away.
EXT. THE PALACE - DAY
Dathan, stepping to a window facing the plain, sees Jehu's
chariot approaching in the distance.
INT. JEZEBEL'S QUARTERS - DAY
Dathan enters as Jezebel still sits at her mirror, the others
standing by.
DATHAN
He is coming, my lady.
A beat. Orah moves to Jezebel where she sits.
ORAH
My lady, you may want to hold
this.
Orah offers her the Asherah from Luli.
ORAH (cont'd)
For comfort in this hour.
Jezebel takes it, and looks fondly at Orah.
JEZEBEL
Thank you, Orah.
Jezebel kisses the Asherah. Then she slowly rises, clutching
it in her hand.
Jezebel walks toward a door that leads to the upper window,
as Orah, Dathan, Obadiah, and Bela watch.
EXT. PALACE - DAY
Jehu arrives in his chariot, halting it a few yards from the
palace wall in the courtyard.
Jehu looks up, and sees Jezebel step to the spacious upper
window where he first laid eyes on her.
Obadiah and Bela, both looking unsure what to do, stop a few
steps behind her on either side. Dathan stands a few feet
behind her.
Orah is watching Jezebel fearfully from the doorway.
A few palace guards, wondering what's going to happen, stand
about in the courtyard.
Jezebel and those behind her look off at something on the
plain.
EXT. THE PLAIN - DAY
Horsemen are coming in the far distance.
It is Eliezer, riding at the head of his company of ISRAELITE
SOLDIERS.
EXT. THE PALACE - DAY
Jehu glances off at the distant soldiers. He looks back up
at Jezebel.
JEHU
Ah! Comes my general Eliezer.
At my invitation.
Jezebel looks down at Jehu, staring up. She leans forward,
and calls down with calm and absolute hatred:
JEZEBEL
Is it peace, you Zimri?
Agitated Jehu glares up at her.
OBADIAH
(quietly)
All is lost, my lady.
Jehu calls chillingly to those above:
JEHU
Who . . . is on my side? . . . Who?
. . . Step forward.
Bela, in a quandary, turns as if to go inside, until he
hears,
JEHU (cont'd)
Bela? . . . Obadiah? . . .
Obadiah and Bela fearfully look at each other. Obadiah looks
off at the approaching soldiers.
JEHU (cont'd)
Step forward now.
A beat. Obadiah steps forward, now standing by Jezebel. She
glances at him. She does not seem surprised.
Now Bela steps forward, to stand by her other side. Jezebel
looks at him. He is in emotional agony.
Jezebel now looks straight ahead. She holds her head high.
JEHU (cont'd)
Throw her down.
Obadiah and Bela glance at each other. They seem frozen.
Orah watches, terrified, her hand covering her mouth. Dathan
closes his eyes, praying.
Jezebel cuts her eyes at the two men flanking her, then looks
wide-eyed ahead.
In her hand, Jezebel tightly clutches the Asherah.
JEHU (cont'd)
I said throw her down!
Obadiah and Bela grab Jezebel's arms, and as they heave
Jezebel from the window, Orah screams.
Her robe billows above her as Jezebel falls. Jehu closes his
eyes at the impact.
Jezebel lies still alive on the ground. Her hand weakly
re-grips the Asherah.
Jehu, wild-eyed, drives his chariot forward. He runs over
Jezebel with it.
Jezebel's hand gripping the Asherah goes limp.
Jehu brings the chariot to a stop, a few yards from Jezebel's
body.
For a moment Jehu leans, in emotional turmoil, on the chariot
railing.
Jehu descends from the chariot. He glances at Jezebel's
body, then heads into the palace.
INT. THE BANQUET ROOM - JEZREEL PALACE - DAY (MOMENTS LATER)
Entering, Jehu walks over and tiredly plops down, where he
and Jezebel once dined. There is a bread loaf on the table.
He looks over at a lone, scared-looking PALACE SERVANT.
JEHU
Bring me something to drink.
The servant goes. Jehu tears off some of the bread and
hungrily eats.
EXT. THE PALACE - DAY
Eliezer and his soldiers ride into the courtyard. The palace
guards have seen fit to vanish.
Eliezer dismounts. He walks over to Jezebel's body. Squatting
down, he picks up the Asherah.
Eliezer rises, looking at it with disgust. Then he tosses it
over to an Israelite soldier named ASA, 22.
ELIEZER
Get rid of it.
Eliezer heads for the palace entrance.
INT. THE BANQUET ROOM - DAY
Jehu sits drinking wine as Eliezer walks in. They look at
each other.
JEHU
It is done.
EXT. THE PLAIN - DAY
Judahite Guards #1 and #2 come riding to where Azariah lies
dead from his bloody wound, his horses still hitched to the
overturned chariot.
They sit on their horses and stare at the corpse for a
moment.
JUDAHITE GUARD #2
What do we do?
JUDAHITE GUARD #1
We dare not go home to Judah. We
will be disemboweled.
EXT. THE PALACE - DAY (SUNSET)
Wind blows across the courtyard as the sun is setting. The
soldiers idle about, off their horses.
Some WILD DOGS have slinked into the courtyard, to approach
Jezebel's body.
Unmolested by the watching soldiers, the dogs begin to tear
at Jezebel's flesh.
EXT. THE JEZREEL PALACE - NIGHT
There is a bright moon through scattered clouds.
The courtyard is lit with torches. Eliezer's soldiers sit
around waiting.
A soldier named ZADOK, 35, with a sickened look, grabs hold
of Jezebel's robe and covers what's left of her body with it.
INT. THE BANQUET ROOM - NIGHT
Jehu is slouched - drunk or exhausted or both - at the table.
Eliezer, a cup in hand, sits watching him.
Jehu sits up. He sees Obadiah, looking like a broken man,
sitting off to the side.
JEHU
Obadiah . . .
Obadiah slowly rises. He stands with eyes closed.
OBADIAH
Yes, my lord . . .
JEHU
Go bury that wicked woman . . . She
was the daughter of a king.
Obadiah turns toward the door, but then sees Dathan - his
eyes red from crying - standing there, behind him ISRAELITE
SOLDIER #8, who's guarding the door.
DATHAN
(to Jehu)
There is not much left to bury, my
lord . . . Wild dogs have eaten her
flesh.
Stunned, Jehu stares off into space. He remembers:
FLASHBACK: ELIJAH
ELIJAH
The dogs shall lick up the blood of
thy house, as they licked up the
blood of Naboth.
BACK TO SCENE
Jehu exhales a short breath, as if both amused and heartbroken.
Jehu looks again at Dathan.
JEHU
You are a priest of Baal?
DATHAN
Yes, my lord.
Jehu glances at Soldier #8 behind Dathan. As Jehu casually
picks up his wine cup:
JEHU
Kill him. Not here, take him
outside.
As the soldier takes hold of Dathan's arm and takes him out,
Dathan looks like he doesn't care.
Jehu rises, cup in hand.
JEHU (cont'd)
The dogs have eaten her flesh?
Then she shall be dung . . . on
the face of the field.
Jehu finishes the cup, sets it down, and heads for the door.
Eliezer rises and follows.
Obadiah sits down. He puts his head in his hands.
OBADIAH
O Lord God of Israel . . .
EXT. THE PALACE - NIGHT (A MOMENT LATER)
The young soldier Asa sits looking at Jezebel's Asherah in
his hands. Zadok, looking disgusted with things, sits down
beside him.
ZADOK
I wonder what they're doing in
there.
ASA
Look at this, Zadok.
ZADOK
That looks like it's worth something.
ASA
The queen mother was holding it
when she died.
Asa gives the Asherah to Zadok to inspect.
ASA (cont'd)
The general said to get rid of it.
But perhaps it will bring me better
fortune.
Zadok studies it for a moment, then,
ZADOK
Or the same.
As Zadok hands it back to Asa:
ZADOK (cont'd)
It's idolatry, Asa. You wouldn't
catch me holding it.
Asa gazes at the Asherah.
ASA
I wonder who she is.
ZADOK
You don't know? It represents
Asherah, the consort of Baal.
Jehu and Eliezer come out of the palace. They stop, Jehu
rather unsteady, as soldiers in the courtyard come to
attention.
ZADOK (cont'd)
(hushed)
Asa, throw that thing away!
Asa quickly hides the Asherah in his clothing.
ASA
I plan on keeping it.
Jehu glances over at the remains of Jezebel, covered by her
bloodied robe. A glance is seemingly all he can bear.
Jehu looks around at the soldiers. Eliezer is standing
beside him, and Jehu's driver waits by the chariot.
JEHU
(to all)
I have cut off the house of Ahab,
and rid the land of Jezebel's god.
ELIEZER
Behold the king of Israel!
The soldiers cheer and begin shouting:
SOLDIERS
God save the king! Long live King
Jehu! Jehu is king!
Asa and Zadok cheer without much spirit, Zadok glancing at
the area of clothing where Asa is hiding the Asherah.
Jehu walks over and joins his driver on the chariot. Eliezer
and the soldiers mount their horses.
Jehu in his chariot heads out of the courtyard, Eliezer and
the soldiers following.
SUPERIMPOSE with narration:
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Jehu ordered the executions of all
Baal worshippers, prophets, and
priests found in Israel. He
reigned as king of Israel for 28
years. But worship of Baal and
Asherah would continue, in Israel
and in Judah, till the fall of both
kingdoms - Israel in 722 B.C. to
Assyria, and Judah in 586 B.C.,
to the Babylonians.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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