David and Bathsheba (1951)

Gregory Peck: King David

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Quotes 

• King David : That soldier who laid his hands on the Ark - he was only trying to be helpful.

  Nathan : It is not for us to question the ways of the Lord.

  King David : I question nothing, yet the sun was hot that day, the man had been drinking wine, all were excited when the ark began to fall. Is it not possible that the man might have died naturally from other causes?

  Nathan : All causes are from God!

• Joab : Sire?

  King David : Hmmm?

  Joab : You're wounded. Let me call for a physician.

  King David : No, no, let it alone. It's a long time since I've shed any blood. It's good to have proof that it still runs in my veins.

• King David : Your sarcasm is wasted. We both know that royalty is a fraud.

  Michal : It was no fraud when my father was king.

  King David : And I've never denied that Saul was every inch a king.

  Michal : [bitterly]  And his successor every inch a fraud!

  King David : I will not argue that either.

• Bathsheba : [as David tries to kiss her in an open field]  No, David! The boy! He'll see us!

  King David : [David looks at the shepherd boy]  No matter. Shepherd boys learn early about life.

  Bathsheba : Did you, David?

  King David : Did I what?

  Bathsheba : Learn about life early?

  King David : Before I was 12, I knew everything there was to know about life. At 12 I'd killed wolves... at 13 a man.

• King David : Michal, I cannot find it in my heart to blame you for what you do... but you, Absalom, my son, have I given you cause to hate me so?

• King David : One of the vanities of kings is that they think virtue can be rewarded with a bauble. Or god must laugh at the spectacle of unvirtuous kings hanging bits of rock and metal on virtuous men.

• King David : [Following the defeat of Absalom's army by his own, David retires to the Temple of Jerusalem. He enters the forbidden Holy of Holies, and kneels before the Ark of the Covenant]  O God, Thou God of my early youth, hear my prayer. Let Thine eyes, which alone see clearly, fall upon Thy worthless servant. In all things have I failed Thee. My life is a waste; my crimes are many, and terrible. To my sons I have bequeathed the evil that is in my blood. I have led my people into misery and want. I have used Thee with ingratitude, and betrayed Thy trust. I have been a faithless shepherd. I am dust in Thine eyes. I am less than the meanest creature crawling on the earth. And yet, O God, I am also Thy creation. Thy Holy Spirit abode with me in the wilderness. I ask nothing for myself, O God; for, by my sins, I have put myself beyond the compass of Thy forgiveness. But lift Thine hand from Thy people, who suffer for my crimes. Forgive them the sin that is not theirs, but mine. Let the land Thou gave their fathers flow once more with Thine abundance. And let Bathsheba live, to praise Thy name, that she may testify to Thy mercy. Show her the loving kindness of Thy heart. Cleanse her from sin. Let Thy punishment fall upon Thy servant, who has earned it. Look not on the sinner, who comes before Thee; but on the boy he was, who loved Thee, and who would have died for Thee. Make my heart as his. Let the boy live again, in his innocence. Grant him Thy mercy, and take this David's life.

  [Still kneeling, he reaches out and lays both hands on the Ark -- as a suicide attempt. Instead, a rainstorm begins outside... ending the drought that has been plaguing Israel. The unharmed David stands up and turns to leave the Temple]