Amidst the escalating grandeur of Prime Video's latest biblical masterpiece, "House of David," we have reached a pivotal midpoint in Season 1. David (Michael Iskander), now ensconced within the royal palace of Gibeah, finds his life perpetually perilous yet preoccupied by matters beyond mere survival. As King Saul (Ali Suliman) grapples to retain his reign, "The Wolf and The Lion" delves deep into the era's political undercurrents, where the House of Saul fights to secure its stance in the Kingdom of Israel. As we inch closer to the legendary confrontation between David and Goliath (Martyn Ford), formidable hurdles still await their resolution.
The episode unfolds with David's melodic voice resonating at sunrise, a scene that draws Mychal (Indy Lewis), the princess enchanted by the shepherd boy from Bethlehem, to listen in reverent silence from afar. Elsewhere, Abner (Oded Fehr) engages in discourse with a Judaic elder regarding Samuel's (Stephen Lang) recent visit, imparting to Queen Ahinoam (Ayelet Zurer) his insights on Samuel's mission among the Tribe of Judah. Abner fears that Judah might shift allegiances unless steps are taken to forge unity with the House of Saul. Besai (Eden Saban) proposes a demonstration of Saul's might to win over the populace, prompting Ahinoam to decree the necessity of a union.
Meanwhile, Mychal continues her tutorial with David, imparting the wisdom of reading. She wonders aloud about the weight of secrets carried by the first princess of Israel, prompting David to disclose that, while he holds secrets of his own, they pale in comparison to hers. He confesses to carrying burdensome secrets but is interrupted by Ahinoam, who sternly warns David against further private encounters with Mychal.
In another corner of the palace, Saul is plagued by a manic fit, haunted by an evil spirit that torments his very thoughts. Besai acknowledges the limits of her sorcery, to which Saul expresses his aversion to magic. Later, Ahinoam offers Saul solace, reassuring him of her unwavering support, albeit hinting at an alternative marriage alliance. Mychal arrives, resplendent in royal crimson, as her parents reveal plans for her union with the Tribe of Judah.
Eliab (Davood Ghadami), Joab (Aury Alby), and Jonathan (Ethan Kai) return from the border villages just as preparations commence for the arrival of Adriel (Stewart Scudamore), the Judah tribe leader and his family. Though briefly featured, a poignant moment shared between Jonathan and young Reuben (Teym Joseph), whom he once saved, reveals that giants still haunt Jonathan's dreams.
The narrative intensifies with Adriel's arrival. As the House of Saul presents itself, Saul proclaims the union of their families, likening Benjamin and Judah to "the wolf and the lion." The intricacies deepen when Mychal is surrounded by Adriel's sons, while David struggles to maintain composure amidst the turmoil.
Mychal soon finds herself cornered by Adriel himself, who reveals to her, with a hint of sincerity that chills the viewer as much as it does Saul, that if his wife were no more, he would wed her in an instant. Saul, rescuing his daughter from this tense encounter, shares the viewer's discomfort. Meanwhile, Joab's jealousy towards Adriel’s sons is palpable, but Abner swiftly sets him straight, reminding him that it is David, not Adriel’s offspring, who poses the true threat.
Seeking respite from the turmoil, Mychal attempts to slip away momentarily, only to be followed by David, who urges her to resist their fate. Mychal, however, asserts her role as a princess, reminding David of his place. As she wanders off, David attempts to pursue her, but is halted by Eliab, who solemnly warns him that uttering a word about his anointing to Mychal or anyone in the palace would seal their family's fate. He cautions his brother against foolishness and urges him to return to his duties as a musician.
In "The Wolf and The Lion," it becomes evident that David and Mychal harbor mutual affection, longing to act upon it. Their longing glances, exchanged across the room as Mychal is courted by Adriel’s sons, contrast sharply with the flirtatious dalliance of Saul’s other daughter, Mirab (played by Yali Topol Margalith). Mirab soon crosses paths with Jordan (Paolo Luka Noé), the "black sheep" of Adriel’s clan. An instant bond forms between them, a camaraderie born of being the often-overlooked children in their respective families.
As Mirab and Jordan wander off together, Saul watches, his vision once again clouded by malevolent spirits. The deceased King Agag (Jeremy Xido), nowmanifesting as the evil force that torments him, appears as cruel as ever. Queen Ahinoam summons David, who soothes Saul’s demons with his melodious compositions. Returned to his senses, Saul elevates Adriel to the position of chief elder of Israel, despite his suspicion that Adriel is a cunning jackal.
Subsequently, Saul inquiries of David which of Adriel’s sons should marry Mychal. The shepherd boy, ever bold, suggests that he himself should wed her instead, a comment the king dismisses as a mere joke. However, recognizing the merit in David’s criticism of Adriel’s sons and witnessing Mirab’s joy from afar, Saul declares that Mirab and Jordan shall be united in marriage.
When Jonathan inquiries after Mirab's happiness, she remarks, "If the king's will decrees it, who am I to refute such a decree?" Despite her words, her contentment with the arranged marriage is evident, and the festivities resume with vigor. While one Israeli princess delights in her impending nuptials, another flees, exulting in the fact that her own wedding bells have yet to toll. Elsewhere in the palace, David discovers Mychal, a visible sense of relief washing over her. He sits beside her, and soon their hands intertwine. However, their bliss is fleeting, as the sound of an opening door prompts Mychal to urge David to depart lest they be discovered together.
In the throne room, Saul informs Mirab that witnessing her joy was the impetus behind his marriage announcement. Though Mirab doubts her father's concern for her well-being, he assures her that, as his eldest daughter, her happiness is always on his mind. "You will keep Adriel on edge," he tells her, to which Mirab reassures her father that the House of Saul remains united.
Having narrowly escaped detection with Mychal, David is unexpectedly assaulted by Joab, who nearly hurls him over the palace wall. Joab scorns him as a plague, intending to teach him a lesson and warns him never to approach Mychal again. It is patently clear that Joab's own affections for her have spurred this confrontation, and he threatens to cast David to his death should he disobey. Yet, David displays no trace of fear. "I serve a purpose here, Joab," he asserts to his cousin. "God has shown me my destiny." Recognizing the futility of his persuasion, Joab relents, and David strides away. While David is steadfast in his belief in destiny (and his love for the king's daughter), Mychal grapples with her fate.
That evening, she encounters her mother, who informs her that her marriage is imminent. Queen Ahinoam confronts Mychal about David, but Mychal defiantly responds, "What if he is a shepherd? Father was once a humble donkey-herder." "I am the daughter of a farmer, you are the daughter of a king," Ahinoam replies. Mychal describes David to her mother, but she reminds her daughter that David is illegitimate. The queen argues that Mychal's future marriage will be far more advantageous than any union with David could ever be.
That evening, the celebration persisted as Adriel solemnly vowed to serve Saul as his trusted counselor. In a gesture of camaraderie, Saul raised his cup in toast to Mirab, his "ardent beloved," and to Adriel, bestowing upon him a sacred scroll inscribed with Jacob's blessing from Genesis 49. As Adriel's voice resonated with the ancient prophecy, an ominous presence once again overshadowed Saul, who, possessed by the malevolent spirit, warned Adriel that the Lion of Judah would herald his undoing. Interrupting Adriel's recital, Saul completed the blessing himself, confronting the leader of Judah, accusing him of aspiring to usurp the throne. It was patently evident that Saul's mind was clouded, and soon after, he rescinded his proposal of marriage. In his delirium, Saul savagely broke Ahinoam's cherished necklace, reclaimed the scroll, and tore down the banner of Judah from the ceiling, symbolizing his fractured alliance. Adriel and his kin departed, leaving Mirab in tears, her heart shattered by this unforeseen twist. Queen Ahinoam, fleeing the scene, left Mychal to grapple with the aftermath. "This family is a curse," Mirab lamented to Mychal, feeling deeply betrayed and desolate.
As the malevolent spirit continued its relentless torment of Saul in his slumber, Besai, the Baal priestess, was summoned to Ahinoam. The queen inquired why the demon still haunted her husband. "His soul wages a battle within," Besai responded, cautioning that only dark magic could now cure him. "The law prohibits it," Ahinoam protested, but Besai urged the queen to reconsider, hinting that the law might need to be altered. In the dead of night, as Saul slept, Ahinoam stealthily removed his signet ring, claiming it for herself. Upon waking, Saul wandered into the throne room, where David, similarly restless, was present. Saul pondered his legacy, wondering how he would be remembered. "I believe the name of Saul will endure forever," David assured him. The king then wondered if his daughter would ever forgive him, but swiftly rationalized his actions. "My kin believe me to be mad, but that jackal craved my throne, unworthy to sit upon it," Saul fumed.
Saul confided in David that kingship often came with misunderstanding, and David expressed faith that the House of Saul would eventually forgive him. When Saul试探ingly offered David the throne, David respectfully declined, stating, "That is reserved for the Lord's anointed." Ironically, after Saul's departure, David, unaware of being watched, briefly occupied the throne, soaking in its grandeur. Through the crevice of the door, Mychal observed him, her expression unreadable.
