Diane Sullivan

Friendship skit

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Trust and Friendship

original script by Diane Sullivan

based on Biblical selections from 1st and 2nd Samuel

TV interview with King David and Bathsheba, remembering the Good Old Days.

Cast: Anchor - Jan Blather

King David as an old man

Bathsheba as an old woman

King David as a young man

Jonathan as a young man

Saul as an aging king

Mephibosheth

Servant

Ziba, another old servant

Scene: Actually 2 scenes in one. There's a TV station anchor desk with 3 chairs in one area. There's a stage for acting out the remembrances in another area.

Anchor: Good evening and welcome to FUMC News at Night. I'm Jan Blather and this is a night to remember. Joining us this evening are King David, the greatest king Israel has ever known, and his wife, Bathsheba. And I've got to tell you, Bathsheba, the years have certainly been kind to you. I must say, "You look Marvelous!"

Bathsheba: [Nods regally] Thank you, Jan. It's kind of you to say so.

Anchor: And, David, how good of you to come. I've had things I've wanted to ask you for years, just waiting for this opportunity.

Old David: Well, Jan, what with all the wars and settlement problems and some personal problems I've had to deal with, it's been hard to find a minute to call my own. Now that I'm getting older, it's kind of nice to sit back and reminisce with you young people from time to time.

Anchor: So, tell me, sir, after all these years and all that you've been through, what important lesson have you learned in life that you could pass along to us.

Old David: [Thinks for a minute, looks at Bathsheba] Hmmmm...

Bathsheba: What about those stories you've told me about Jonathan?

Old David: Yes, dear, I think you're right. I believe one of the important things I've learned in my life, after loving and trusting God, is to make one good friend you can trust with your life and be loyal to that person for as long as you live.

Anchor: Can you give us an example?

Old David: [Rubs his beard and thinks carefully] Let's see. When would that have been? Hmmm...

Bathsheba: I think that was right after that terrible fight with those Philistines, wasn't it?

Old David: Oh, yeah, that's right. There was that awful giant and he made such a racket and I got lucky with my slingshot and dropped him, right where he stood making such a fuss. That's when Jonathan and I got together and started being such good friends. Yeah, that's right...

Jonathan: Man, that was something. I can't believe you got him right between the eyes like that. You must have really been eating right. What was it, Wheaties?

Young David: Nah, I think it was God guiding my hand. But the Wheaties probably didn't hurt.

Jonathan: I wish I could be as brave and full of faith as you are. But I guess I'll just have to stick by you for the rest of your life and hope some of that rubs off on me. You know, we should make a pact. Always together. Forever and ever. Come on. Say it with me.

Both: Always together. Forever and ever.

Jonathan: Now spit on it.

[They spit on their hands and rub them together.]

Young David: [makes a face and shakes off his hand] Now we have to stay together.

Anchor: Wow, that was some day. Did you really stay together?

Old David: Well, in spirit. But Jonathan's dad, Saul, was getting older. And he kept hearing about all the battles I was winning and he started getting jealous. He thought it was my fault that the Lord gave up on him and started supporting me. So Jonathan had an idea...

Jonathan: David, you can't stay here. My father is trying to kill you. Go hide in the field. I'll talk to Dad and see if I can change his mind. Then I'll come out there to tell you what he says.

[David slips out to the fields.]

Jonathan: [Goes back in to Saul] Hey, pops, how's it going?

Saul: You young people have no respect. What are you up to now?

Jonathan: I wanted to talk to you about David. [Saul starts to speak, but Jonathan holds up his hand to stop him] I know, I know. You don't want to hear about that upstart rapscallion. But listen. What's he done to you? He's won all your battles. He saved your life and your kingdom when he went out to battle Goliath. Surely that should have gotten him a little respect. And now you want to kill him?

Saul: [Thinks it over] Oh, ok, I suppose you're right. Find David and tell him he can come back. I won't hurt him.

Jonathan: Thanks, Pop, you won't regret it.

Anchor: So then it was happily ever after time, huh?

Bathsheba: [snickers] With that old geezer? You obviously never knew Saul. He was the most jealous man that ever lived. David started winning victories again and the people loved him and that old man tried to have him killed again. First he tried to do it himself. Then he tried to have his men kill him while he slept. But he got away. He went to Jonathan.

Young David: Why is your father trying to kill me again? What is the matter with him?

Jonathan: Are you sure? I can't believe it. I know all of his plans and he hasn't said anything like that to me.

Young David: He knows what good friends we are. He doesn't want to hurt your feelings. Unfortunately, it's not my feelings he wants to mess with.

Jonathan: Let me find out. Tell me what to do.

Young David: I'm supposed to have dinner with him. I'll hide in the fields again. You go to dinner. If he asks you where I am, tell him I had to hurry to Bethlehem for a family sacrifice. If he says, "Oh, no problem", then everything is all right. But if he gets mad, then I'm right and he does want more than my feelings hurt. But, kill me yourself if that's the way it is. Don't hand me over to him.

Jonathan: Never. I'll find out what's up and I'll find a way to let you know. Just remember this and make sure you always remember me and my family. I know, I'll shoot some arrows and send a boy to pick them up. The code is, if I say he's gone too far, then you're safe and come back. If I say, go farther, you'll know you have to leave.

Anchor: So, what happened?

Old David: Well, when Jonathan told Saul David wasn't there, he was so mad, he tried to kill Jonathan. Jonathan and I had a good cry over it. Then we swore on our friendship again.

Young David and Jonathan: Always together. Forever and ever.

Jonathan: Now spit on it.

[They spit on their hands and rub them together.]

Anchor: Did you ever see each other again?

Old David: Well, during some of my battles, Saul kept trying to find me to kill me. It was pretty hard to take, risking my life for the kingdom while the king tried to kill me. Not fun at all. But Jonathan risked his own life to come out to me and encourage me. He said Saul would never be able to kill me because the Lord was on my side. We kept remembering our friendship pact.

Young David and Jonathan: Always together. Forever and ever.

Jonathan: Now spit on it.

[They spit on their hands and rub them together.]

Anchor: What ever happened to Jonathan?

Old David: He was killed at Mount Gilboa in a huge battle against the Philistines. Jonathan, both his brothers, and Saul were all killed.

Anchor: What about your pact?

Old David: Well, he trusted me, just like I trusted him. I couldn't let that down, could I? After I became king, I started looking...

Young David: Is there anyone here who is still left of Saul's family?

Old servant: You have one old servant here, Ziba, that might know the answer to that. Shall I call him?

Young David: Of course, bring him to me.

[the old servant goes out and comes back with Ziba]

Young David: Are you Ziba?

Ziba: I am your servant.

Young David: Is there anyone left of Saul's family that still lives?

Ziba: Jonathan had a son who still lives. His feet are crippled from an accident that happened when he was five while his nurse was running away with him to save his life.

Young David: Where is he?

Ziba: He's staying with friends.

Young David: Bring him here.

[Ziba leaves and comes back with Mephibosheth]

Young David: Are you Mephibo..? Mephibo..? Are you Jonathan’s son?

Mephibosheth: I am.

Young David: Don't be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you. I will give you back everything that used to belong to your grandfather, Saul, and you will live with me and be like my son.

[dreamily, to himself] Forever and ever. [spits in his hand and pretends to shake hands with Jonathan]

Anchor: Because friendships based on truth and trust never die?

Old David: You got it. Come on, Bathsheba, let's go home. [they get up and leave]

Anchor: And that's the way it is, tonight, on FUMC News at Night. I'm Jan Blather, bidding you Good Night.