WARNING: This article contains spoilers from House of David
Prime Video’s latest offering, , has made its debut with the first three episodes now available for viewing. The remaining five instalments will be released weekly on the streaming service.
The drama draws inspiration from biblical narratives, tracing the humble beginnings of David (portrayed by Michael Iskander) as a shepherd, his rise to become ‘s greatest king, and his legendary battle against Goliath (Martyn Ford).
The series also explores the downfall of King Saul (Ali Suliman), the reigning monarch of whose pride leads to his loss of the crown, as ordained by God. The narrative extends to Saul’s family, including his wife Queen Ahinoam (Ayelet Zurer), youngest daughter Mychal (Indy Lewis), eldest daughter Mirab (Yali Topol Margalith), middle son Eshbaal (Sam Otto), and Jonathan (Ethan Kai), Saul’s son and presumed heir.
Jonathan is depicted as virtuous and devout, in stark contrast to his impulsive younger brother Eshbaal. He is more religious than his parents, often reminding them of their obligations to God, reports the .
Jonathan was more religious than his family (Image: PRIME VIDEO)
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When his mother suggests that he should consider remarrying, Jonathan dismisses her advice. He appears to hold onto a bracelet, a memento of a lost love.
A fleeting flashback later reveals Jonathan with his former wife, who is presumed to have passed away.
The portrayal of Jonathan’s personal life in the forthcoming series ‘House of David’ remains shrouded in mystery, aligning with Biblical accounts where details of Jonathan’s wife are scant but his son Mephibosheth—and his inability to walk following an accident—are documented. Furthermore, the Bible recounts the profound bond between Jonathan and David, leaving viewers eager to witness how their relationship unfolds on screen.
Jonathan was King Saul’s heir apparent in House of David (Image: PRIME VIDEO)
Reflecting on his aspirations for ‘House of David’, lead actor Iskander shared his intentions for the audience: “I just hope that they see human beings in front of them, and I hope that they’re able to just dive into the story and take some life lessons from it and to learn from it.”
He elaborated on the purpose behind storytelling, saying, “And I think that’s why we do this. It’s to inspire people to love and to be courageous, and to face their fears, and I, I hope that they take these lessons from the show.”
House of David airs weekly on Thursdays on Prime Video