Is Prime Video’s ‘House of David’ the Next Must-Watch Epic Series?

by

13 And Samuel told Saul, “You’ve acted unwisely, Saul. You didn’t follow the command of the Lord your God as He instructed you. Indeed, the Lord would have made your reign over Israel eternal.

14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee. – 1 Samuel 13: 13-14

The latest series on Prime Video, titled “House of David“, is a grand, sweeping retelling based on biblical accounts, focusing on the life of young David who eventually became the second and most renowned king of Israel. Known by God as “a man after my own heart“, it was through his descendants that the Messiah, later manifested as Jesus Christ, was prophesied to come.

The biblical account of King David presents an intricate and captivating narrative that stretches across sections of First Samuel and the entirety of Second Samuel, with additional references in First Kings. This tale encompasses love, numerous wars, deception from those within his circle, power struggles, rebellion from one of his sons, and a deep loyalty to both his people and God. Consequently, delving into David’s life is no small task.

Producer John Erwin, known for his faith-based films like “Jesus Revolution“, “Ordinary Angels“, and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever“, has a reputation that made me anticipate “House of David” highly. With the series debuting today, Amazon granted us early access to watch the first three episodes for this review. I jumped right in.

Did it deliver?

**Major spoilers Ahead***

Episode 1: A Shepherd and a King

The story opens with a swift, historically faithful account of Saul being chosen as Israel’s first king by the prophet Samuel, according to the Bible. It subsequently explores the conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines, focusing on David and Goliath. From the outset, the costumes and designs are striking, showcasing the vast army on the battlefield and the intimidating stature of Goliath. The audience can sense the fear that grips young David as he charges towards his destiny, sling in hand while spears hurled by Goliath whizz past him like a storm.

The narrative shifts back by one year to explain how David reached that historical moment. The setting is established through costumes and filming locations as David attends to a sheep injured by a roaming lion. Michael Iskander, portraying David, delivers a convincing performance, with his rough physique and slender build offering a striking contrast to his brothers, a detail that becomes significant later in the tale.

In the book of Psalms, David often expresses feelings of being shunned in his father’s household. This familial estrangement is elaborated upon in the Talmud, and it appears that the writers of this series have used both sources as inspiration for their story. As David’s siblings are dispatched to battle for the Lord and their monarch, David is instructed to tend to the sheep instead. In his prayers, he hopes that God will bestow upon him wisdom for his life’s journey.

In this battle, it’s Saul, the reigning king of Israel, who leads his troops against the Amalekites. I was struck by the ordinary tools like pitchforks used on the battlefield, indicating that not every fighter had a sword or armor at hand. However, contrary to God’s instructions, Saul spares the Amalekites’ livestock, weapons, and their king Agag, who is portrayed as a sinful, cannibalistic, sorcerer, and idol worshiper by the skilled makeup artists. This decision seems blasphemous given Agag’s demeanor and the potential harm he could cause to the kingdom, serving primarily to boost Saul’s ego. To add insult to injury, Saul constructs an altar in celebration of his victory over the Amalekites, rather than acknowledging the Lord for granting them the victory.

Saul arranges a festivity in his own honor, inviting all the Israelite tribes. The character portrayed by Ali Suliman as Saul, does an outstanding job conveying the complex nature of Israel’s king, who generally did what was right but let the power of kingship make him haughty. During his rule, Saul often needed Samuel to reprimand him for overstepping boundaries. The series features a scene showing Samuel weeping over Saul’s disobedience, recognizing that this latest transgression was the last straw.

Amidst the looming threat of a larger conflict, Jonathan, Saul’s virtuous offspring, is dispatched to a border settlement. There, he stumbles upon a devastated hamlet and a massive, blood-splattered handprint that dwarfs him three times over. A miraculous child recounts an incredible tale of a rampage by colossal beings, a narrative of brutal and vividly disturbing violence. This brief sequence establishes the degree of violence prevalent in House of David, which while not reaching the intensity of Game of Thrones, effectively portrays the barbarism of the era.

The episode concludes by contrasting two situations. David courageously pursues the lion on his own, demonstrating his devotion to God, while Saul experiences a visit from Samuel due to his failure to obey divine instructions. Stephen Lang delivers an outstanding performance as Samuel, scolding Saul for his transgressions and foretelling that another individual will be chosen as King of Israel by God. The scriptwriters ensured historical accuracy in this scene, noting Saul’s symbolic act of renting Samuel’s garment to signify the loss of the kingdom due to divine intervention. Instantly, we witness a departure of the Spirit from Saul as he succumbs to madness, caused by his estrangement from the Lord.

Following Samuel executing Agag at Saul’s command with brutal force, he cautions the Israelites present that it’s inadvisable to provoke God. At the same time, David, having emerged victorious but wounded from his encounter with a lion, stands tall and undeterred. In the meantime, Samuel informs Silas, his apprentice, that they will search for a new ruler together.

All in all, “A Shepherd and A King” built a robust base for this show. My minor criticisms were mostly about details, like the CGI lion appearing as one might expect from computer-generated imagery, or occasionally inconsistent accents. However, the final scene featuring Samuel and Saul was captivating, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Episode 2: Deep Calls To Deep

In the second episode titled Deep Calls To Deep, the pace slows down slightly, focusing more on character depth. This time, we explore David’s bond with his mother, who felt empathy for her son’s estrangement from his siblings. The narrative reveals why David felt compelled to kill the lion, as his mother bravely gave up her life to protect him, which seems contrary to the biblical account in 1 Samuel 22:3–4, where David fled to Moab to safeguard his living father and mother. Despite this discrepancy, it’s a heartwarming origin story that helps explain the episode’s title – David is urged to pray by his mother, as she tells him that deep calls to deep.

Stepping into the narrative, we find ourselves in Gibeah, where the creators masterfully capture the city’s essence, a sight that truly holds its own against Game of Thrones. The minor concerns I had from the last episode seem to vanish as the actors gracefully embody their characters. Even the lion, a symbol of this world, appears improved in this installment.

In the royal household, there’s a sense of mystery as King Saul, despite his madness, clings to his throne. His family strives tirelessly to preserve his rule. Biblically speaking, we see Ishbi, Saul’s son, living a life of luxury, while his sisters Michal and Mirab question why God hasn’t healed their father as He did before. In a state of madness, King Saul instructs his general Abner to track down Samuel in search of the new chosen king. However, while doing so, he secretly learns that Queen Ahinoam, skillfully portrayed by Ayelet Zurer, has ordered Abner not only to find but also to eliminate the new anointed and his entire family.

The upcoming episode carries a foreboding atmosphere since Saul and Israel seem to be drawing together once more. King Achish tries to rally the Philistine tribes against Saul, sensing their mutual fear of Saul’s God and his unified forces. However, King Achish encounters resistance because there is no leader capable of leading the armies. Instead, King Achish instructs his men to prepare for a summoning of new deities, subtly hinting at the possibility of giants.

In the tale from Judah, David’s siblings return from combat. To preserve the illusion of power, King Saul arranges for his daughters to join a wedding celebration in another region, thereby reinforcing their connections. It is here that David captures the admiration of Michal, following his performance of an enchanting melody – a touch of romantic intrigue added to the original scripture, if some dramatic love story is desired.

As I reflect on my days back in Gibeah, it seems the once-strong bond of the royal family, under King Saul’s rule, is starting to fray. Eager to reassure those around him that he remains unchanged since Samuel’s visit, Saul engages in a heated exchange with his trusted companion Jonathan, who challenges him about Samuel’s words. My anger bubbles over when Jonathan defends the prophet.

Later, my conversation with Michal takes an unexpected turn as she subtly traps me with a tale, asking how I can still believe in divine healing from our past yet struggle to understand why God won’t heal me now. The series masterfully portrays numerous instances where Saul is subtly prompted and urged to give up his throne but stubbornly chooses to disobey.

The story progresses as David displays his skill with a sling and urges his siblings to fight alongside him on the battlefield. David’s oldest brother, Eliab, who is most tolerant of him, attempts to curb his aspirations by revealing the horrors of war. Eliab then escorts David to a devastated border town to witness the destruction. It is there that they cross paths with King Achish, seeking information about the location of the giants.

David manages a narrow getaway, thanks to Eliab’s warrior skills stepping in. This battle sequence will likely be shared and analyzed on multiple YouTube platforms for its intricate staging and intensity. I must confess to rewatching it a few times. Initially, David and Eliab seem to make their escape, but then King Achish wounds Eliab with an arrow. As they limp their way home, Eliab pleads with David to abandon him, but David insists he’s more resilient than his brother perceives, continuing to guide him back home.

The phrase “Deep Calls To Deep” serves as a foundation for numerous story arcs throughout the series. Although I omitted the theme of Joab’s jealousy, a significant ally of David who eventually became a disloyal general, as well as Saul’s act of madness where he attacked his wife with an Amalekite sword, it is not merely a “filler” episode. Instead, it functions as a stepping stone leading to the third and crucial episode.

A brief appreciation goes to the closing theme song, “Beautiful Horizon” by Eden Golan, which adds a powerful final touch to the episode.

Episode 3: The Anointing

The tale of The Anointing starts off powerfully, as Saul finds himself in the throes of a vivid dream during a feverish state. In this dream, he witnesses the downfall of his household and the loss of his sons amidst fierce fighting. Later, Samuel commands Saul to give up the throne, but instead, Saul snaps out of his dream only to unintentionally slay his loyal servant. To save herself and her husband’s reputation, Queen Ahinoam invents a tale, telling the servant’s mother that an assassin attempted to kill the King, and it was her son who bravely sacrificed himself to protect the monarch.

In “The Anointing,” while Saul is chosen as the next King of Israel, Ayelet Zurer delivers a captivating performance as Queen Ahinoam, who challenges Samuel’s authority and disregards the God of Israel. The show creators have opted to depict her character as a determined and loyal queen mother, willing to go to great lengths to protect her king and family. There is limited biblical reference to Ahinoam, but this portrayal adds depth to her role.

When Abner comes back after engaging Doeg, his assassin, to seek out Samuel, Queen Ahinoam persuades him to meet with Baal’s devotees. She subtly suggests to the soothsayer that she may lift the ban on their religion if she can cure Saul of Samuel’s spell. A chilling moment occurs as the seeress mentions a lion in her prophecy, giving an ominous impression that they are closing in on David.

When Jonathan observes his mother conversing with a mysterious woman, he cautions her about disregarding God, but she retorts sharply, asking him to recall who brought him into existence. It’s fascinating to observe the challenging predicament Jonathan finds himself in as he witnesses his family drifting away from God while holding onto his own belief in Him. Bible enthusiasts will recognize that this conflict was a struggle for Jonathan during David’s ascension, as he had to decide between siding with his father and adhering to the Lord.

Later on, Samuel once more takes center stage, mourning the loss of Saul while also seeking out the new ruler, according to scripture. Fearing Saul’s anger and potential death, God instructs Samuel to disguise his mission as a sacrificial ritual to find the family. Accompanied by his apprentice, Silas, they journey to Judah; however, due to Silas’ wife expecting their first child, they part ways, with Samuel wishing to spare his apprentice from danger. However, this precaution proves futile as Doeg eventually captures Silas. What ensues is a disquieting sequence where the unfaithful Doeg prepares to torment Silas for information about Samuel’s whereabouts.

In Judah, Eliab endures as David and his kin tend to his arrow injury. However, Jesse perceives David as culpable and orders him to return to shepherding duties. When Samuel arrives, Jesse becomes apprehensive, inquiring if he’s come in peace – a detail I found intriguing since it was the village elders who asked this in the Bible. This exchange underscores the respect and awe the people held for Samuel, serving as the ultimate Judge of Israel.

Jesse aligns his seven sons, and Samuel initially assumes Eliab is the monarch he’s searching for. Eliab stands tall, exudes power, and is good-looking, yet Samuel learns from the Lord in 1 Samuel 16:7 that “It isn’t about outward appearance or towering stature, for I have discarded him; you see what humans see, but God looks at the heart.

The Bible’s recurring theme of ‘greatness arising from humble beginnings’ is a powerful one that I find particularly noteworthy, and it’s something I appreciate the authors highlighting. To avoid coming across as preachy, let me simply point out that many people who were considered outcasts or held lowly positions in society were chosen by God to perform significant roles, such as the apostles – fishermen and tax collectors by trade. When we set aside our modern perspectives, we can even see that shepherds, who were at the very bottom of the social hierarchy during biblical times, were among the first to be called to the manger and witness the birth of Jesus Christ. They were also tasked with spreading the news about his arrival.

But I digress.

Samuel reaches out to touch the remaining sons, yet none convey the aura of a future king. He queries whether all the sons are present, at which point Jesse summons David. Upon seeing David, the prophet immediately identifies him as the next king and anoints him, causing quite a stir among his siblings.

In this instance, King Achish discovers the mother of the giants and pledges to deliver the retribution they crave against Israel. For the first time, we catch a glimpse not only of Goliath but also his intimidating brothers. The story concludes with Saul, who appears to have regained his sanity but is still filled with rage, being crowned while under the watchful eye of his devoted wife. As he gazes upon his people, there’s a chilling menace in his gaze.

The best of the three episodes I’ve seen is undoubtedly The anointing, as the House of David appears to be building an intense wave of mystery and excitement that keeps growing. It’s odd, but despite knowing how the story concludes, I found myself completely engrossed. My anticipation for House of David grew significantly due to John Erwin’s involvement, and I must admit that I was not let down at all.

Amazon Prime’s portrayal of certain productions may not always resonate with many viewers and myself, but it’s clear they didn’t skimp on the impressive costumes and set designs. The writers have generally stayed true to biblical accounts. The cast delivers admirably in their respective parts, except for Yali Topol Margalith as Mirab who seemed miscast for a period piece. To me, her portrayal felt somewhat contemporary, if you catch my drift.

However, being a biblical scholar or a believer isn’t necessary to enjoy it. In fact, “House of David” is engaging enough for anyone who gives it a try. I think word-of-mouth will make this show successful, and I’m eager to continue watching “House of David” throughout the rest of the season.

Check out House of David on Amazon Prime here.

1. Take a look at my action-packed superhero tale, “Fiasco of Adventures,” right over here or there. Also, don’t forget to visit my brand-new site, TheMegacosm.com!

2. Give my thrilling superhero book, “Fiasco of Adventures,” a read at this location or that one. And remember to check out my freshly launched website, TheMegacosm.com!

3. I invite you to explore my exciting superhero novel, “Fiasco of Adventures,” either here or there. Additionally, take a peek at my recently unveiled site, TheMegacosm.com!

4. Why not delve into my electrifying superhero story, “Fiasco of Adventures”? You can find it right here or over there. And don’t forget to peruse my newly created website, TheMegacosm.com!

5. I encourage you to check out the pulse-pounding superhero adventure, “Fiasco of Adventures.” Whether you find it here or there, I hope you enjoy your reading experience. And do visit my new site, TheMegacosm.com!

Read More

2025-02-27 19:32