Prime Video has introduced its latest drama, House of David, captivating audiences with its gripping debut of the first three episodes of an eight-part saga. The series takes viewers on a profound journey, adapted from the biblical tale of a young shepherd’s epic victory over the fearsome giant, Goliath. With its roots firmly in the scriptures, House of David emerges as a stunning visual spectacle from the faith-driven Wonder Project studio.
Inspired by the iconic biblical passage from 1 Samuel 17, the series follows the Israelites under the leadership of King Saul (Ali Suliman) as they battle the formidable Philistines and their giant warrior, Goliath (Martyn Ford). In a legendary twist, the young shepherd David (Michael Iskander) confronts and defeats Goliath with nothing more than a simple slingshot, embodying the underdog triumph. As captured in the King James Bible, “David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.”
Yet House of David is not confined to the iconic battle alone. The series explores the rise of David from an outcast shepherd boy to Israel’s revered king, chosen by God Himself. Director Jon Erwin, inspired by his own pilgrimage to Jerusalem at the age of 16, reveals that his visit to King David’s Tomb ignited a deep passion for filmmaking and storytelling. His encounter with the city’s ancient landscapes, paired with the rich narrative of David’s life, profoundly impacted his creative vision.
Erwin recalls how the gravitas of David’s story—one of overcoming insurmountable odds and ascending to greatness—fueled his drive to bring this biblical epic to the screen. House of David aims to present a raw and unflinching portrayal of the past, delving into the gritty realities of the era with complex characters and a stirring plot.
The director notes that while the David versus Goliath story is often seen as the ultimate underdog tale, there is much more to David’s journey than the battle. “His rise to greatness didn’t happen overnight. It’s a story of growth and becoming who you were always meant to be,” Erwin said. He views this biblical narrative as a template for the classic “hero’s journey”—one that parallels the stories of iconic characters like Luke Skywalker, Frodo Baggins, and Harry Potter, all of whom faced their own transformative journeys.
House of David promises not only to revisit a beloved biblical story but to offer a fresh, complex perspective on one of history’s most revered figures, ensuring a compelling watch for both religious and secular audiences alike.
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