# House of David (TV series)

House of David is an American Christian historical drama television series. Created, co-directed, and co-written by filmmaker Jon Erwin for Amazon Prime Video, it is a multi-season series about the life of David. Primarily set in Israel in 1000 BC, the series depicts the rise of David, tracing his journey from being a shepherd to his battle against Goliath and eventual kingship with the House of David succeeding the House of Saul. Michael Iskander stars as David alongside Ali Suliman, Stephen Lang, Ayelet Zurer, Indy Lewis, Ethan Kai, and Martyn Ford, among many others.
The series was produced by The Wonder Project, a studio led by Erwin and Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios, and is internationally distributed by Lionsgate. The creators have emphasized that the show is made for a broad audience, not just religious people.
Following a four-month casting search, Michael Iskander was chosen to portray David, and Martyn Ford as Goliath. Filming took place in Greece in 2024.
The series premiered on February 27, 2025, with the first three episodes released on Amazon Prime Video, followed by weekly episodes until April 3, 2025. It received praise for its production values and faithfulness to the biblical narrative.

## Premise

Set in 1000 BC in Israel, the first season chronicles David as a young shepherd anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king following Saul's disobedient descent. As David continues his journey to kingship with challenges and opportunities from his faith and relationships, the season culminates with his battle against the Philistine giant Goliath.

## Cast and characters
### Main

* Michael Iskander as David: A shepherd in Bethlehem who is anointed to be the next king of Israel. A poet and a musician playing the lyre, he is the youngest son of Jesse and Nitzevet, the younger brother of Eliab, Abinadab, Nethaneel, Raddai, and Ozem, and a relative of Joab. Raphael Korniets portrays David as a child.
* Ali Suliman as Saul: The first king of Israel from the Tribe of Benjamin, the husband of Ahinoam, the father of Jonathan, Eshbaal, Merab, and Michal, and the cousin of Abner. He is a former donkey herder and the son of Kish.
* Ayelet Zurer as Ahinoam: The first queen of Israel, the wife of Saul, and the mother of Jonathan, Eshbaal, Merab, and Michal.
* Indy Lewis as Michal: A princess of Israel, the younger daughter of Saul and Ahinoam, and the sister of Jonathan, Eshbaal, and Merab.
* Ethan Kai as Jonathan: A prince of Israel, the oldest son of Saul and Ahinoam, and the older brother of Eshbaal, Merab, and Michal.
* Oded Fehr as Abner: The commander-in-chief of his cousin Saul's army.
* Louis Ferreira as Jesse: A former elder in Bethlehem, the father of David, Eliab, Abinadab, Nethaneel, Raddai, and Ozem, the husband of Nitzevet, and a relative of Joab. He is the son of Obed and the grandson of Boaz.
* Yali Topol Margalith as Merab: A princess of Israel, the older daughter of Saul and Ahinoam, and the sister of Jonathan, Eshbaal, and Michal.
* Sam Otto as Eshbaal: A prince of Israel, the younger son of Saul and Ahinoam, and the brother of Jonathan, Merab, and Michal.
* Davood Ghadami as Eliab: A high-ranking soldier in Saul's army, the oldest son of Jesse, the older brother of David, Abinadab, Nethaneel, Raddai, and Ozem, and a relative of Joab.
* Aury Alby as Joab: The second-in-command officer of Saul's army after Abner and a relative of Jesse and his sons.
* Stewart Scudamore as Adriel: The chief elder from the tribe of Judah and an adviser of Saul. He is the son of Barzillai.
* Siir Tilif as Nitzevet: The mother of David and the wife of Jesse.
* Alexander Uloom as Achish: The Philistine king of Gath, one of the kings of Philistia, and an enemy of Israel.
* Martyn Ford as Goliath: A Philistine giant from Gath descended from Anakim, the brother of Lahmi, and an enemy of Israel.
* Stephen Lang as Samuel: A prophet and a seer of the Lord God, who is the last of the judges leading Israel before anointing Saul and David as kings. He is the son of Elkanah.
* Ashraf Barhom as Doeg: The Edomite chief servant of Saul's herdsmen.

### Recurring

* Naby Dakhli as Abinadab: A high-ranking soldier in Saul's army, the second son of Jesse, a brother of David, Eliab, Nethaneel, Raddai, and Ozem, and a relative of Joab.
* Raresh DiMofte as Lahmi: A Philistine giant from Gath descended from Anakim and the brother of Goliath.
* Aziz Dyab as Nethaneel: The fourth son of Jesse, a brother of David, Eliab, Abinadab, Raddai, and Ozem, and a relative of Joab.
* Stefanos Vuksanovic as Ozem: The sixth son of Jesse, a brother of David, Eliab, Abinadab, Nethaneel, and Raddai, and a relative of Joab.
* Konstantinos Krommidas as Raddai: The fifth son of Jesse, a brother of David, Eliab, Abinadab, Nethaneel, and Ozem, and a relative of Joab.
* Jeremy Xido as Agag: The king of Amalek and an enemy of Israel.
* Andreas Alevizos as Ishbi
* Christos Villanakis as Benob
* Dimitris Ziakas as Ahimelech: The high priest of Israel in Nob.
* Haydar Koyel as Ashkelon: The Philistine king of Ashkelon, one of the kings of Philistia, and an enemy of Israel.
* Yannis Anastasakis as Ashdod: The Philistine king of Ashdod, one of the kings of Philistia, and an enemy of Israel.
* Sian Webber as Orpah: The mother of giants, including Goliath and Lahmi.

## Episodes

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 1 | "A Shepherd and a King" | Jon Erwin & Jon Gunn | Teleplay by : Jon Erwin & N.D. Wilson & Nathan A. Jacobs Story by : Jon Erwin | February 27, 2025 (2025-2-27) |
| Five hundred years after Moses splits the Red Sea, the Seer Samuel (Stephen Lang) anoints Saul (Ali Suliman) from the Tribe of Benjamin as the first king of the Kingdom of Israel for 25 years, yet King Saul gradually becomes prideful of his victories. At the Valley of Elah, 1000 BC, the shepherd David (Michael Iskander) prepares to fight the Philistine giant Goliath (Martyn Ford). One year earlier, David rescues his sheep from a lion in Bethlehem. In Havilah, King Saul and the Israelites defeat King Agag (Jeremy Xido) and the Amalekites while the Philistines attack Baal-Hazor. In Gilgal, King Saul sets up a monument to sacrifice and celebrate with spoils of war but spares King Agag, defying the Lord God's command to destroy Amalek. Samuel receives a prophecy in Ramah and confronts King Saul with a rebuke for disobeying the Lord God, who leaves and rejects Saul as the king by choosing someone better to replace him. King Saul loses his sanity after tearing Samuel's robe while Samuel slays King Agag. As David kills the lion in a cave, Samuel searches for the next king. |||||
| 2 | "Deep Calls to Deep" | Jon Erwin & Jon Gunn | Jon Erwin & Jon Gunn & N.D. Wilson | February 27, 2025 (2025-2-27) |
| Several years earlier, in Bethlehem, David becomes an outcast as a bastard. After David's mother, Nitzevet (Siir Tilif), sacrifices herself to save David from the lion, David's father, Jesse (Louis Ferreira), makes David a shepherd. In the present, Jesse admonishes David. In Gibeah, King Saul and Queen Ahinoam (Ayelet Zurer) order the commander-in-chief Abner (Oded Fehr) to find the one whom Samuel anoints. King Achish (Alexander Uloom) of Gath meets with fellow kings of Philistia to plan on attacking Israel. David's older brothers, Eliab (Davood Ghadami) and Abinadab (Naby Dakhli), and their relative, Joab (Aury Alby), return from the Amalekite battle. David attempts to convince Eliab and Abinadab to enlist him in the army. The priest Ahimelech (Dimitris Ziakas) teaches Princess Michal (Indy Lewis) about the scriptures. Encountering King Achish and the Philistines in Baal-Hazor, David runs away with a wounded Eliab. King Saul loses his sanity again, and Prince Jonathan (Ethan Kai) and Abner suppress him. |||||
| 3 | "The Anointing" | Alexandra La Roche | Jon Erwin & Bekah Hubbell | February 27, 2025 (2025-2-27) |
| King Saul accidentally kills a servant with his spear as his mental state deteriorates. Jesse and his other sons cure Eliab. Abner commands King Saul's Edomite servant, Doeg (Ashraf Barhom), to find Samuel. Samuel goes to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king in the Lord God's direction. Queen Ahinoam, with Abner, consults a medium to break King Saul's curse. King Achish meets with the mother of giants, Orpah (Sian Webber), and the Anakim descendants, including Goliath and Lahmi (Raresh DiMofte), to assemble an alliance against Israel. Entering Bethlehem, Samuel invites Jesse and his sons to offer sacrifice. Under the Lord God's guidance, Samuel rejects David's seven older brothers, including Eliab, Abinadab, Nethaneel (Aziz Dyab), Raddai (Konstantinos Krommidas), and Ozem (Stefanos Vuksanovic), after thinking each one could be king. Learning that David, the youngest, is not present who keeps the sheep, Samuel reprimands Jesse, who sends for David. When David arrives, Samuel recognizes him as the one. Under the Lord God's instruction, Samuel anoints David as the new king of Israel. Meanwhile, King Saul returns to his throne. |||||
| 4 | "The Song of Moses" | Alexandra La Roche | Bekah Hubbell | March 6, 2025 (2025-3-6) |
| David's family attempt to keep news of his anointing by Samuel a secret. However, Queen Ahinoam summons him to serve as harpist to calm her husband King Saul. David's musical abilities calm Saul, winning his favour. While in the court of Saul, David strikes a friendship with Princess Michal despite the warnings of his older brother Eliab. She teaches him how to read the Hebrew Scriptures. Joab questions Eliab about Samuel's visit to his family but they are interrupted by news of an attack on a border village. After Ish-bosheth, the second-born son of Saul and Ahinoam, violates Dinah, the daughter of Yahir, Ahinoam banishes him to a City of Refuge in Edom. On the way, the convoy is ambushed and Ahinoam encounters a cloaked figure. Meanwhile, Samuel discovers the burnt remains of his disciple Silas. Believing that Saul killed Silas, Samuel and his wife go into hiding. |||||
| 5 | "The Wolf and the Lion" | Michael Nankin | Laura Kenar | March 13, 2025 (2025-3-13) |
| The House of Saul enters into marriage negotiations with the House of Adriel, the chief elder of the Tribe of Judah. Despite the objections of Ahinoam and Joab, David and Michal continue their relationship. Michal is reluctant to marry Adriel's sons. Under torment from an apparent spirit of the late King Agag, Saul struggles to control his composure during the negotiations but David calms him with the harp. Following negotiations, Saul and Adriel agree that the former's eldest daughter Merab will marry the latter's son Jordan. When Joab threatens to throw David down a balcony, David challenges Joab to drop him, prompting Joab to release him. During the blessing ceremony, Saul experiences a meltdown and insults Adriel, accusing him of coveting his throne. Adriel realizes that Saul is insane and cancels the marriage alliance. Ahinoam allows the witch to cast a spell on Saul. Saul speaks with David, inviting him to try out his throne. |||||
| 6 | "Giants Awakened" | TBA | TBA | March 20, 2025 (2025-3-20) |
| 7 | "David and Goliath - Part 1" | TBA | TBA | March 27, 2025 (2025-3-27) |
| 8 | "David and Goliath - Part 2" | TBA | TBA | April 3, 2025 (2025-4-3) |

## Production
### Development

The development of House of David originated from creator Jon Erwin's longstanding interest in the biblical story of King David. Erwin's fascination with the narrative began in his youth and led him to start working on the script as a teenager after visiting King David's tomb in Jerusalem. This early inspiration eventually contributed to the creation of the television series years later. The series was produced by The Wonder Project, a studio founded by Erwin and Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten, in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios. Amazon's interest in a high-budget biblical series was piqued when On a Wing and a Prayer proved unexpectedly popular on the platform.
Amazon has thus far ordered one season. Erwin says the script he wrote encompasses three seasons, and "We’ll see if, God willing, we can finish it."

### Casting

The casting process for House of David was extensive, spanning four months to find the ideal actor for the titular role. The filmmakers said the actors did not need to be personally religious, but needed to be excited about the story.
Newcomer Michael Iskander was ultimately selected to portray David, marking his first major acting credit. Iskander secured the role in auditions partly because he had thrown the shot put and the discus in high school. Joining him is Ali Suliman as King Saul, the first king of Israel whose complex relationship with David forms a central pillar of the story. Ayelet Zurer portrays Queen Ahinoam, Saul's wife, adding depth to the royal family dynamics. Veteran actor Stephen Lang takes on the role of Samuel, the prophet who anoints David, guiding him on his path to kingship. Additionally, British bodybuilder and actor Martyn Ford was cast as the formidable Goliath. Ford is 6'8" and 320 pounds, and in the series is portrayed as 9'9" through forced perspective and digital enhancements.
The supporting cast includes Louis Ferreira as Jesse, David's father; Ethan Kai as Jonathan, Saul's son and David's close friend; Indy Lewis as Michal, Saul's daughter; Oded Fehr as Abner, the commander of Saul's army; Yali Topol Margalith as Merab, Saul's eldest daughter; Nimo Hochenberg as Silas, Samuel's loyal servant; Aury Alby as Joab, one of David's warriors; Ashraf Barhom as Doeg the Edomite; Sam Otto as Eshbaal, another of Saul's sons; Davood Ghadami as Eliab, David's eldest brother; Alexander Uloom as Achish, a Philistine king; Raresh DiMofte as Lahmi; and Siir Tilif as Nitzevet, David's mother.

### Writing

The writing of House of David seeks to present a nuanced depiction of King David by combining scriptural narratives with creative storytelling. Co-created and directed by Jon Erwin and Jon Gunn, both known for their work in faith-based cinema, the series aims to make the biblical story more relatable to contemporary audiences. Drawing primarily from the early chapters of 1 Samuel, the narrative follows David’s transformation from a shepherd to a central figure in Israel’s history. The writers expand upon the biblical text to explore his relationships with key figures such as King Saul and the prophet Samuel, adding complexity to these interactions.
The series integrates direct biblical references with original dialogue, developing subplots that provide depth to secondary characters, including Saul, Michal, and Jonathan. It also delves into David’s internal struggles with faith, morality, and leadership, extending beyond his well-documented battles and victories.
The series is intended to be faithful to the Hebrew Bible but not necessarily a strict retelling of the biblical account of David. "I do remind people this is not Scripture. This is not the source material. This is a love letter to the source material," Erwin says. Historians, biblical and rabbinical scholars, and pastors were consulted in writing the script.
One of the challenges in writing the series was crafting dialogue that felt authentic to the historical setting while remaining accessible to modern audiences. To achieve this balance, the writers adopted a formal yet naturalistic style, avoiding overly archaic language.
Erwin and Gunn say that the show is not only intended for religious people but for a broad audience, with inspiration taken from The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Harry Potter.

### Principal photography

Principal photography for House of David commenced in 2024, with the production team selecting Greece as the primary filming location. The country's ancient architecture and diverse landscapes provided an authentic backdrop for the biblical narrative. Specific locations included the region of Fyli, which effectively represented the historical setting of the series. Additionally, parts of the series were filmed in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, utilizing its vast terrains to depict various aspects of the story.
The production team initially scouted locations in Morocco, Jordan, Italy, and Israel before finalizing Greece and Canada for their suitable landscapes and infrastructure. Filming in these locations not only provided visual authenticity but also contributed to the high production values noted in the series. Over 700 people were involved in the production.

### Music

The music for the television series House of David was composed by Kevin Kiner along with his children, Sean and Deana Kiner. The trio has previously worked on series such as Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Narcos: Mexico.
For House of David, their composition incorporates a blend of traditional Middle Eastern instrumentation and contemporary orchestral elements, aiming to align with the historical setting while appealing to modern audiences. The series' official soundtrack, House of David: Season One, was released digitally on February 27, 2025, to coincide with the show's premiere.
Additionally, a compilation album titled Music Inspired by the Prime Video Original Series "House of David" features songs from various artists that complement the themes of the series. The album was made available for pre-save on February 21, 2025.

## Release

The series premiered on February 27, 2025, with the first three episodes made available for streaming. New episodes are released weekly on Thursdays Prime Video, with the season finale set to air on April 3, 2025.
In its first week, the series reached #2 on Prime's most watched list.

## Reception
### Critical response

The series has received a range of reviews from critics. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 60% of 5 critics gave the series a positive review, with an average rating of 7/10.
The Gospel Coalition praised House of David for maintaining a balance between narrative engagement and biblical accuracy. The review highlights how the multi-season format allows for more in-depth character development compared to feature films. Similarly, Leah MarieAnn Klett of The Christian Post describes the series as "visually stunning and spiritually rich," commending its high production values and performances. She notes that the show effectively blends biblical accuracy with compelling drama, making the story accessible to contemporary audiences. Alison Herman of Variety critiqued House of David for its lack of depth, calling it “wooden and cheap-looking” despite Amazon’s investment in biblical epics. Acknowledging its positioning as a prequel to The Chosen, the review cites inconsistent accents, unconvincing special effects, and a lack of emotional engagement to ultimately consider the show uninspired, failing to develop compelling characters or match the intrigue of historical dramas like Shōgun. Martin Carr of Comic Book Resources describes House of David as a "sweeping biblical epic" that embraces a grand storytelling approach. He highlights the series' exploration of political power struggles and divine intervention, crafting a narrative of triumph against overwhelming odds that resonates with contemporary audiences. Joel Keller of Decider acknowledges its attempt to present biblical figures with greater depth but argues that it falls short, stating that the characters "appear more like mythical figures rather than relatable humans" and describing the tone as "dull and uninspiring".