Few stories are more compelling than the history of King David. Indeed, few figures in all of human history command more significance than David. Thus, when Amazon announced that it was making a dramatic series depicting the “House of David,” it was both exciting and concerning.
The big question is, how faithful would Amazon be to the Biblical record?
Well, with the first season’s eighth and final episode having recently aired, we can now address that big question. To answer it briefly, “House of David” is a mixed bag.
At certain points, it took dialogue and scenes directly from the pages of Scripture, specifically 1 Samuel. But it also took massive liberties, injecting storylines and characters that were entirely made up and sometimes even contradictory to the history recorded in the Bible.
“House of David” is another example in a long list demonstrating why putting the Bible to film is a near-impossible task. Those who know the Bible well, especially the story of David, will quickly see inconsistencies and even troubling storylines. They may ask, as I did, Why could they not have simply stuck to the text?
I’m no movie producer or director, but I do enjoy films. Almost without fail, when someone, especially a big-name Hollywood studio, ventures into making a movie or show depicting Biblical history, they seem motivated to monkey with the text and story.
However, as noted above, “House of David” was not terrible. Indeed, it had some very good moments. In the first episode, when Samuel came to Saul following his victory over the Amalekites to inform him that God was ripping the kingdom from him, it was almost word-for-word from the text, and quite compellingly acted.
The last episode, when David arrives in the Israelites’ camp opposite the Philistines in the Valley of Elah and volunteers to fight Goliath, is also well done and moving.
Furthermore, the acting throughout is well done. The scenery is believable in representing ancient Israel. There is no offensive language, nudity, or sex scenes. There is some violence, but it is tactfully done and not gratuitous.
Theologically, it is okay. It is often very basic in presenting these Biblical characters’ faith and views on God, though this is where the changing of the Biblical narrative is most objectionable. God gave us His word in the manner in which it was recorded and preserved.
An example of an entirely unbiblical storyline is that of Saul’s wife Ahinoam. Very little is said about her in the Bible, yet in the show, she is a central figure. It would appear that cues for her character are taken from the wife of a later king of Israel, King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel. In this show, Ahinaom is depicted as a cunning and conniving nonbeliever. She employs the witch of Endor as well as Doeg the Edomite in her efforts to protect the house of Saul. None of this is in the Bible’s record.
Scripture does mention the witch of Endor. According to the Biblical record, Saul seeks out the witch to communicate with Samuel, who had previously died. Doeg is also mentioned in Scripture, as he is the man who alerts Saul to David having escaped with the help of Ahimelech and the priests. It is Doeg who subsequently executes them at Saul’s command.
The point is, great liberties were taken, and I would argue needlessly so in telling this story.
God’s word is holy. Therefore, when one decides to change how it is given, it will naturally raise problems. Why did the writers and directors feel they needed to “fix” the story? What purpose does changing the already compelling and real-life story of how God raised up David to be his archetypal king serve other than sowing confusion? Do the changes make the story more entertaining? I would say no.
It is interesting that a big-budget studio like Amazon is making an effort to make a serious rendition of a Biblical story. Yet the show ultimately disappoints, as it fails to carefully and faithfully follow the Biblical record.
