DAVID

DAVID earns its three stars by treating Scripture seriously. It follows the biblical text closely, makes God central, and presents miracles, divine control, justice, and grace. The story also shows the consequences of disobedience, making this more than a costume drama.

The limitations are visible. Saul’s army looks small, the battles are truncated, Goliath is not the giant described in Scripture, and the settings lack the opulence expected of kings. Still, the discretion shown in the sexual and violent material makes this a reasonable choice for families, with parents aware of the content.

If you want a faithful, morally serious presentation of David’s story rather than a lavish epic, this is worth watching.

Saul is anointed Israel’s first king by Samuel, but his disobedience leads God to choose another king. Samuel finds David, the youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd who seeks after God’s heart.

David is brought into Saul’s court to sing and play the harp. As David succeeds in battle and other challenges, Saul becomes increasingly threatened. This two-part television special follows David’s journey from shepherd to king.

Three stars means DAVID is one of the better productions in its ambitious Old Testament series, though noticeable budget constraints keep it from becoming a great biblical epic.

The program’s greatest strength is its faithfulness to the biblical text, especially its dialogue. Jonathan Pryce gives a memorable performance as Saul, and Leonard Nimoy is terrific as Samuel. Nathaniel Parker does a better job as David than Richard Gere did in the 1985 film KING DAVID, although the dancing by Saul and David is not especially convincing.

The reduced settings and puny battle sequences are disappointing. Even so, the production presents a powerful morality tale with clear spiritual purpose.

DAVID presents a biblical worldview. God is the central figure, miracles happen, and God is clearly in control. The program follows the biblical text closely and presents both God’s justice and His grace.

The story also takes disobedience seriously. Saul refuses complete obedience to God, and David later neglects God’s commands. Their failures show that even a chosen king remains accountable to God.

The program includes sex and violence, but the filmmakers treat both discreetly. The story also includes the Witch of Endor and references to God and His mercy. Viewers should compare the dramatization with the biblical account, especially the sections from 1 Samuel 15 through 1 Kings.

The story’s central lesson is that obedience to God matters, while His justice and grace remain certain. As Samuel tells Saul, “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).

DAVID is not lavish, but it is faithful, powerful, and morally serious. Its discreet content and limited production values are real considerations, yet its clear presentation of God’s justice and grace makes it worthwhile for families. WORTH THE TRIP.