Absalom’s Rebellion and Its Result
By Kara Martincic
Characters:
Family One:
AMAZIAH [Watchman in Jerusalem]
BETHANY
MARIAH
JOASH
Family Two:
JEHOASH [only mentioned, not actually shown]
MIRIAM
JOSIAH
Other kids:
REBEKAH
MARTHA
RACHEL
ASA
SAMUEL
ACT ONE
[Room is dark, Music begins; Director walks out]
[Director: Welcome to Absalom’s Rebellion and Its Results. It will be starting shortly, so please take a seat. Thank you. [Music goes off and BETHANY enters; lights turn on.] [BETHANY kneels before the stove, and lights the lamp inside]
[MARIAH runs into room]
MARIAH: Mother! Mother!
BETHANY: [looks up] What, Mariah?
MARIAH: The king’s son just turned against him!
BETHANY: [Stands up] Against who?
MARIAH: His father!
BETHANY: [Has a surprised look] Why, no, that can’t be.
MARIAH: Ask Father, Mother! It’s true!
[AMAZIAH enters]
BETHANY: Amaziah, what’s going on?
AMAZIAH: The king’s son Absalom has a great army, and he will be coming up against Jerusalem. The king and his family are preparing to flee. The only persons he will leave behind are his concubines, to take care of the house.
BETHANY: What! How did you learn of this?
AMAZIAH: A messenger came to the city gates, and he gave me the message. I then delivered it to the king, and overheard his plans.
BETHANY: Yahweh help us! Oh, what will we do?
AMAZIAH: It’s more worry for King David than us, Beth. But we’ll need to be on the lookout for things.
BETHANY: What things?
AMAZIAH: Like--
[MIRIAM runs into room crying]
BETHANY: [Runs to her side] What’s wrong, Miriam?
MIRIAM: My husband just sent me word that he’s joining Absalom in Hebron. I don’t know what to do! I know the king must win the war, but I’m afraid he will be killed!
BETHANY: Miriam, Miriam, don’t worry, sister. He will be fine. Just put him in Yahweh’s hands.
MIRIAM: Oh, but what will I and little Josiah do if he dies! It hurts me to think of it!
BETHANY: Miriam, it’s ok. It hasn’t happened yet, has it?
MIRIAM: [Wipes eyes and stop’s crying] You’re right of course, I should leave it in Yahweh’s hands, but [sighs] it’s still hard.
BETHANY: Yes, it is hard, Miriam. I understand. Why don’t you stay with us? Josiah would love to be around Mariah and Joash.
MIRIAM: But I may be a burden to you.
AMAZIAH: No, you won’t be a burden. You may stay as long as you like.
MIRIAM: You sure?
AMAZIAH: Yes, I’ll call Joash to help you. I will be over shortly. [Looks at MARIAH] You too, Mariah.
[BETHANY and MIRIAM leave room slowly, BETHANY's arm still around her sister]
MARIAH: Yes, Father. [Goes and blows the lamp in the "stove" out, and then follows BETHANY and MIRIAM as they leave the room]
[AMAZIAH exits; Lights go off]
ACT TWO
[MIRIAM’s home scene, with JOSIAH sitting on the floor reading a paper. Lights turn on.]
[MIRIAM, BETHANY, and MARIAH enter room]
MIRIAM: What are you reading, Josiah?
[JOSIAH just sits there reading]
MIRIAM: [Walks up to him and lays a hand on his shoulder]What are you reading, Josiah?
JOSIAH: [Jumps and looks at her when she touches him] A letter from Father.
MIRIAM: Really? What does he say?
JOSIAH: [Looks at paper] That Absalom is about to come here, and he will visit us.
MIRIAM: Read the whole letter, Josiah.
JOSIAH: To My Family. How are you all? Absalom is about to head to Jerusalem, and I will visit you then. Absalom is hoping to take over the kingdom, if you don’t know. He'll be so much better than David. He's been telling us of how much he will do for us! But, I must go, Family. I love you and miss you both. From Father.
MIRIAM: [Wipes eyes with kerchief, and turns to BETHANY and whispers] He’s all for it.
BETHANY: [Goes to her and gives her a hug] It’s ok, Sister. Yahweh is in control.
MIRIAM: You’re right, but it’s hard. As I said.
BETHANY: I agree.
MARIAH: So Uncle Jehoram is for Absalom’s rebellion?
MIRIAM: [Turns to MARIAH] Yes, Mariah.
MARIAH: Is Father?
BETHANY: No. He thinks Absalom is very wrong. That he’s sinning by trying to kill his father.
MARIAH: Oh. I see.
[JOASH enters out of breath. All look at him]
JOASH: I [Pause] was down [Pause] by the well; and [Pause] Father called me.
MIRIAM: Sit down, child. You are out of breath!
BETHANY: Josiah.
JOSIAH: [Looks at her] Yes, Aunt Bethany?
BETHANY: Come, you and your Mother are moving in with us. You need to help Joash move your things to my house.
[MARIAH, JOASH, and JOSIAH smile at each other, and lights go out.]
ACT THREE
[Street scene; REBEKAH, MARTHA, and RACHEL are sitting around talking, and ASA and SAMUEL are playing with rocks, making a small city. Lights turn on.]
REBEKAH: Father says the war is getting on, and King’s David’s counselor sided with Absalom!
MARTHA: What! That’s crazy!
REBEKAH: He’s heading to Jerusalem, now. At Ahithophel’s counsel.
RACHEL: I don’t understand why Absalom would do such a thing as try to kill his father! That’s crazy in and of itself.
REBEKAH: I agree. Father says that the king is very sad and depressed. He cannot believe his oldest son has turned against him.
RACHEL: Yea, he must be. I would be if I was the king.
MARTHA: I wonder if the watchman has spotted Absalom’s army yet.
REBEKAH: Look, here he comes now!
[AMAZIAH enters and walks up to the boys. Boys stand up immediately]
ASA: Shalom sir.
SAMUEL: Shalom.
AMAZIAH: Shalom boys. I have news. I have seen Absalom’s army coming from the south. I’m running home to tell my family. I already announced it from the south wall, and now I’m going to the north. Tell all that you see the news. I need to go, shalom.
[AMAZIAH leaves]
[REBEKAH tells girls she needs to go, and leaves]
SAMUEL: [surprised expression] Wow.
ASA: [shocked expression] Already. This is scary. I’m telling the girls.
[Both boys turn toward girls, Girls stand up]
ASA: Did you hear?
MARTHA: Yes. Rebekah said it’s a threat, and that we need to go home and hide, because we are for the king.
RACHEL: [Shudders] I need to go. Shalom. [Leaves]
SAMUEL: Aunt Joanne probably needs me now. Shalom [Leaves]
ASA: I guess I need to go. Shalom, Martha.
MARTHA: Shalom, Asa.
[ASA leaves]
MARTHA: This is amazing; I don’t understand how Absalom could think of that. It’s crazy to me. Well, I suppose I need to go. [leaves room]
[Lights go off]
ACT FOUR
[Arrange room to AMAZIAH’s home, BETHANY and MARIAH are in the room, talking. Lights turn on.]
MARIAH: Mother, has Absalom’s army arrived yet?
BETHANY: Not that I know of.
[AMAZIAH runs into room from sewing room]
AMAZIAH: Beth, get everything together. We’re escaping to the hills. Mariah, go and get Joash, Josiah, and Aunt Miriam, now.
MARIAH: [shocked expression] Yes, Father. [Runs out of the room]
BETHANY: [Stands up] What’s happening Amaziah?
AMAZIAH: [Looks at her] Absalom is only a few miles away!
BETHANY: [Gasps] Ok. I’ll get what I can [begins to get things together and pack food]
[AMAZIAH helps and the others enter. They all begin to pack. When done, they all run away. Lights go off.]
ACT FIVE
[Wilderness scene. BETHANY and MARIAH are comforting the crying MIRIAM; they are the only ones in the room.]
BETHANY: Miriam, don’t worry. You’ll see him again.
MIRIAM: Never! He’s dead now, oh, Jehoram. [Cries]
MARIAH: Auntie, don’t worry. We’ll see him again.
BETHANY: Sister, Yahweh will take care of you. As the King said, We cannot hide from Yahweh. So he will always take care of us.
[AMAZIAH, JOSIAH, and JOASH enter room. They have a blanket with a pillow as a wild cow they killed. JOSIAH is carrying a jug of water. He stands still when he sees his mother crying, and drops the canister. Then he runs to her]
JOSIAH: Mother, Mother, what’s wrong?
MIRIAM: Oh, son. I don’t know how to tell you. Mariah, tell the st-st-story.
MARIAH: Uncle Jehoram died. One of Joab’s men killed him with an arrow.
JOSIAH: [shocked expression; trying not to cry. He turns and runs out of the room]
JOASH: Josiah!
AMAZIAH: Let him alone, my son. He needs some time to himself.
JOASH: Yes, Father.
[Lights go off]
ACT SIX
[Inside cave scene; AMAZIAH, BETHANY, MARIAH, JOASH, and MIRIAM are in the room. Lights come on.]
MARIAH: Josiah hasn’t come yet.
BETHANY: I know. Your father is thinking about going after him.
MARIAH: What if he’s cornered by lions?
JOASH: Or a bear?
MARIAH: Or wolves?
JOASH: Or leopards?
MIRIAM: Children! Please, you’re scaring me!
[MARIAH and JOASH giggle]
BETHANY: [Looks at them sternly.] Enough children,
AMAZIAH: [Walks over] Let’s go. Pack up, children.
MARIAH: Yes, Father!
JOASH: Yes sir.
[They all start packing. When done, AMAZIAH looks up]
AMAZIAH: Let’s go home!
[They all leave scene; Lights go off]
ACT SEVEN
[Arrange room to be AMAZIAH’s home. Nobody is in it. Lights go on.]
ASA: [Peeks in through well room] Hello? Hmm, it seems like no one’s home! I guess I’ll go in. [Steps in] Wow. They deserted this place. I wonder why? Maybe because of their stance against Absalom. [Walks to kitchen] Wow, even the stove is gone.
JOSIAH: [Steps in] Hello?
ASA: [Turns around and jumps up a little] Whew, you scared me, Josiah. Where is everybody?
JOSIAH: I don’t think I can tell. They’re hiding though. I heard that my Father died, so I ran back home.
ASA: I see. That’s pretty sad. I told Ahaz to not touch him, but he didn’t listen. Ahaz is my older brother. He said Joab commanded it, so it was fine. [Sighs]
JOSIAH: I’m wondering if Father was right. Maybe Absalom is better.
ASA: No, no. He’s much worse! Why, he wants to kill his father! He killed his other brother too. His older brother.
JOSIAH: Yeah, but Joab’s bad too. He killed Saul’s commander, whom the king didn’t want to kill.
ASA: You’re right about that. And he’s not too respectful either. He’s King David’s nephew. But that doesn’t mean King David’s wrong and Absalom’s right, does it?
JOSIAH: No.
[AMAZIAH enters]
AMAZIAH: Hello, nephew. I’m thankful we found you.
[JOSIAH and ASA jump]
JOSIAH: I thought you were in the hills.
AMAZIAH: We went after you when we saw you didn’t come back.
[ASA slowly slides to the exit]
AMAZIAH: Son,
ASA: [Stops] Yes, sir?
AMAZIAH: Where are you from?
ASA: My parent’s are dead, I live with my grandparents.
AMAZIAH: What’s your name?
ASA: Asa, sir, I really need to go. Shalom. [exits at a run]
AMAZIAH: Well, we’re all here. [Turns to doorway] Come on out everyone!
[BETHANY, MIRIAM, MARIAH, and JOASH enter]
MIRIAM: My Son! Why did you leave me? [Hugs him]
BETHANY: You scared us, Josiah.
MARIAH: I thought he was eaten by lions!
JOASH: I thought a bear got him.
MARIAH: Or maybe wolves.
JOASH: Even a leopard maybe!
[All smile]
AMAZIAH: At least we’re home. Oh, I need to go to my post. You all get settled, I’ll be back tonight. Shalom. [Leaves]
MIRIAM: But Praise Yahweh that you’re safe! [Smiles]
[Lights go off]
ACT EIGHT
[Street scene. ASA and SAMUEL are in the room, building the rock city again. Light goes on]
[REBEKAH and RACHEL walks into room talking]
REBEKAH: That’s nice that it’s over.
RACHEL: Yes, but the combat is still going on.
REBEKAH: True.
[MARTHA runs in]
MARTHA: Sorry.
REBEKAH: That’s ok. [Smiles]
[They walk by the boys]
ASA: What are you talking about, Rebekah?
REBEKAH: Oh, Absalom is out of Jerusalem.
SAMUEL: That’s nice.
ASA: Yes, I wondered when he would leave.
REBEKAH: He left a week ago. The watchman just told us that he did.
RACHEL: I heard that the one of the king’s friends is acting as an advisor to Absalom. He’s using it against him.
ASA: Against who?
RACHEL: Absalom.
MARTHA: And he’s listening! Thank Yahweh!
SAMUEL: Maybe King David will win the war!
REBEKAH: That’s most likely. I’ve been praying that he will.
RACHEL: Praise Yahweh that Absalom’s gone!
[All the children smile as lights go off]
ACT NINE
[MIRIAM’s home scene. No one is in the room. Lights come on]
[RACHEL and MARTHA enter room]
RACHEL: It looks pretty vacant, Martha.
MARTHA: I feel bad for Sister Miriam.
RACHEL: That’s why she left. She lives with her sister now.
MARTHA: She was so scared of him being killed. Hey, did you hear the latest?
RACHEL: No,
[REBEKAH enters]
REBEKAH: Latest?
[Both girls jump]
RACHEL: You scared us!
MARTHA: [Smiles] Yes, you did.
REBEKAH: [Giggles] I suppose I did.
MARTHA: Well, I was saying that Absalom is dead!
REBEKAH and RACHEL: What?
RACHEL: You’re joking!
REBEKAH: I thought the king gave strict orders against it!
[ASA enters quietly when REBEKAH says the above]
ASA: Really! [grins]
[All girls jump and twirl around. Then they giggle]
MARTHA: Well, the watchman told me that David’s son Absalom is dead, Asa.
ASA: Well! That’s nice! Now the king is not threatened!
MARTHA: He’s mourning!
ASA: What! Mourning?!
RACHEL: I supposed he would. That’s his eldest son, you know.
REBEKAH: Poor King David!
MARTHA: I pity him too.
ASA: That’s crazy! But I guess you are right. It is his son.
MARTHA: Yes.
REBEKAH: Oh! It’s almost dark! I need to go, friends; come, Martha.
RACHEL: I’m coming too! Shalom, Asa!
MARTHA: Shalom, Asa!
REBEKAH: Shalom!
[All girls leave]
ASA: I suppose I’ll go home too. [exits]
[lights off]
ACT TEN
[AMAZIAH’s house scene, MARIAH, JOSIAH, and JOASH are in the room. Light comes on.]
MARIAH: Did you hear?
JOASH: What?
MARIAH: Absalom’s dead! And David was mourning for him, when Joab made a comment that made him feel bad, and then he stopped.
JOASH: That’s surprising!
JOSIAH: I always knew Joab to be disrespectful.
MARIAH: He’s younger than the king, and yet I think he thinks he’s higher. But anyway.
JOSIAH: Well, I heard one of the others say that King David gave a command to deal kindly with Absalom.
JOASH: Yeah, he said, “Deal kindly with the young man Absalom for my sake.”
MARIAH: And I can understand why. That’s his son.
JOSIAH: Right.
[MIRIAM and BETHANY enter room]
MARIAH: Mother! Aunt Miriam!
JOSIAH: Guess what happened!
JOASH: Joab killed Absalom!
MIRIAM: What?
MARIAH: One of Joab’s men [Emphasizes 'Joab’s men' and looks at JOASH and back to BETHANY.] killed Absalom.
BETHANY: That was directly against the king’s rule!
MIRIAM: You’re right.
[AMAZIAH enters]
BETHANY: Amaziah! One of the commander’s men killed Absalom!
AMAZIAH: Yes, I heard. I am very sorry for the king. But children, that does not mean that we need to talk bad about Joab, though he did directly disobey the king by commanding that one of his men kill Absalom. But, we must still Praise Yahweh because he delivered us from the hand of Absalom, and he delivered King David from his hand also. So, we learned what lesson from this, children?
MARIAH: That we should never try to be above our parents.
JOASH: To never kill or hurt anyone, because their families will be wounded.
JOSIAH: That we should always obey people in authority over us.
MIRIAM: That’s wonderful, children. But we learned also that Yahweh is in control of everything. So let’s…
All: Praise Yahweh!
[All say thank you while the boys bow and the girls curtsy]
END
Written 2006; revised 2009.