A captivating new historical drama, House of David, will debut on Prime Video on February 27, taking viewers through the rise of one of Israel’s most beloved kings. The series portrays David’s journey from a humble shepherd boy to the ruler of Israel after King Saul’s tragic downfall, driven by his pride. As the prophet Samuel anoints David as the new king, the show delves into the timeless story of faith, leadership, and the power of God’s plan.
Created by Jon Erwin, renowned for his faith-based films like Jesus Revolution, I Still Believe, and I Can Only Imagine, House of David marks his latest project produced by his independent studio, The Wonder Project. Erwin, alongside writer and director Jon Gunn, who is known for directing The Case for Christ and Ordinary Angels, has crafted a series aimed at faith-based and values-driven audiences.
Erwin shared the deeply personal roots of the project during an interview with Catholic News Agency. “‘House of David,’ for me, began when I was 16 years old and I went to Israel with my dad,” Erwin said. “He bought me my first camera with money he did not have and it was probably the greatest gift I’ve ever received. And we went to Israel to film this documentary visiting some of the holy sites called ‘In the Steps of Jesus.’” During the trip, Erwin was moved by a visit to King David’s tomb. He reflected, “What kind of life do you have to live that your words echo through the centuries?” This question, he shared, sparked his desire to one day tell David’s story.
Erwin’s lifelong connection to David’s story is reflected in the series, as he emphasizes the importance of staying true to Scripture in its portrayal. “I truly, authentically love the story of David, the Psalms of David, the Bible itself; it’s a huge and fundamental part of my life and always has been,” Erwin explained. “At the foundation is to love the material.” Despite the series being a work of fiction, Erwin made it clear that House of David is meant to serve as “a love letter to the source material.”
To ensure authenticity, Erwin consulted both Christian and Jewish scholars for guidance. “I do remind people this is not Scripture,” he said. “This is not the source material. This is a love letter to the source material. This is a television show, but I hope that it points people to the source material and I hope people take the same journey that I did… I have not read the Psalms this much. Talk about some beautiful, meaningful, poetic, honest words that really will bring great comfort to you no matter what you’re going through!”
The series also showcases a powerful performance by Michael Iskander, who portrays King David. Iskander echoed Erwin’s sentiments about the importance of remaining true to Scripture. “Keeping in mind the reverence for Scripture and what he means biblically, I found myself reading the Psalms and the book of Samuel constantly just to be reminded of the true character of David and his heart and truly trying to find his heart in every single moment,” he said. The actor emphasized that House of David aims to draw viewers deeper into understanding David’s powerful connection to God, stating, “The Psalms of David are really powerful, and I hope people read them more and with new insight the way I have while making the series.”
For Erwin, the journey from a teenager in Israel to the creator of House of David has been filled with dedication to both the biblical narrative and the lessons within. “I’m grateful to have any role in bringing this story to the screen let alone creating it,” he said.
House of David promises to be not just a historical recounting, but an invitation to viewers to explore the beauty and depth of the Psalms and the enduring legacy of King David. Through a blend of artistry and reverence for Scripture, the series hopes to inspire a new generation to appreciate the richness of David’s life and his unwavering faith. As Erwin concludes, “I hope people take the same journey that I did…”
