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House of David is a streaming series from Amazon that portrays the emergence of King David. The first season consists of eight episodes, covering events from Saul’s disobedience over the Amalekites to David’s defeat of Goliath. This follows the biblical narrative from about 1 Samuel 15:7 to 1 Samuel 17:52. The show has been praised for its acting quality and production value. However, some viewers are uncomfortable with the dramatic license taken. House of David presents seven and a half hours of content based on only 104 verses of Scripture. Filling in gaps in the biblical story requires details and subplots not explicitly written in the Word.
If broad speculation is the show’s greatest weakness, sincerity is its greatest strength. Too often, media based on Bible stories makes a caricature of faith. It may reimagine or revise the story for the sake of modern preferences. Some adaptations of biblical material pervert the underlying message beyond recognition—or dilute it until it’s invisible. House of David appears to take the source material seriously, presenting it with a direct and forceful sense of everything the Bible implies. A behind-the-scenes series titled Beyond the House of David features pastor Greg Laurie and is more overtly evangelistic.
The most provocative editorial choice of the show relates to David’s parentage. This is one of several points that may raise eyebrows:
• David is Jesse’s illegitimate son. Only some versions of Jewish folklore, not Scripture, contain this level of detail.
• David is illiterate, only learning to read when taught by Saul’s daughter. Scripture doesn’t touch on this either way.
• David actively seeks out and kills the lion, rather than reacting to it attacking a sheep. This is not how most interpret David’s narrative to Saul (1 Samuel 17:34–36), but the show and Scripture are not irreconcilable on this matter.
• Goliath is not a Philistine but a volunteer who seeks revenge on Israel.
• a flashback sequence portrays literal winged angels fathering giant winged children in a story of the Nephilim told by Goliath’s mother.
• Goliath is among the last of these post-angelic Nephilim. After the flood, the Bible connects only the Anakim to any sort of “giant.”
• Goliath is considerably bigger than he is portrayed in Scripture: in the show, he is at least twice as tall as most humans.
Of these details, none are theologically significant. But they are curious choices for a show otherwise careful about adhering to Scripture.• David is illiterate, only learning to read when taught by Saul’s daughter. Scripture doesn’t touch on this either way.
• David actively seeks out and kills the lion, rather than reacting to it attacking a sheep. This is not how most interpret David’s narrative to Saul (1 Samuel 17:34–36), but the show and Scripture are not irreconcilable on this matter.
• Goliath is not a Philistine but a volunteer who seeks revenge on Israel.
• a flashback sequence portrays literal winged angels fathering giant winged children in a story of the Nephilim told by Goliath’s mother.
• Goliath is among the last of these post-angelic Nephilim. After the flood, the Bible connects only the Anakim to any sort of “giant.”
• Goliath is considerably bigger than he is portrayed in Scripture: in the show, he is at least twice as tall as most humans.
On the other hand, many storyline inclusions are more realistic than what typical dramatic presentations offer. For instance, House of David gives a surprisingly grounded presentation of a shepherd’s sling. Samuel’s dispatch of Agag is also presented just as bluntly as the biblical description. God’s influence is more personal and less sensational than in other adaptations.
Subplots provide copious filler for the show. These involve Saul’s son Eshbaal, David’s treatment at the hand of his brothers, political intrigues in Israel, Saul’s scheming wife and her involvement with witchcraft, Doeg the Edomite, and Samuel’s marriage. These secondary storylines don’t dispute anything said in Scripture. Still, some viewers may dislike having unfamiliar elements shuffled into well-known stories. Seeing characters fleshed out—including the villains—can also be jarring.
As with any television show, viewers may or may not like various editing choices. There are moments of violence; otherwise, the content is family friendly. One or two jokes touch on mature subjects in ways children are unlikely to catch.
The relevant question for Christians is whether House of David is faithful to the Bible. The first season, at least, doesn’t include anything blasphemous or outright unbiblical. Believers should use prayerful, careful discernment about watching the show (James 1:5; 1 John 4:1) and when disagreeing with others about it (Romans 14:10–12).
