Biblical Rewind

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  • House of David – Episode 4 Rewind

    Episode 4 shows us a softer side of David with his musical skills and big crush on Michal. Our favorite shepherd boy trades the pasture for the palace as he’s summoned to play his lyre for Saul, whose mind is in shambles now that God’s Spirit has left him. The only thing that soothes Saul’s torment? David’s music. Coincidence? Not even a little. This whole setup has divine appointment written all over it.

    While hanging out at the palace, David starts to strike a chord (pun very much intended) with Michal, Saul’s daughter. She’s smart, strong-willed, and clearly intrigued by the soft-spoken singer with sheep-scented boots. Next thing you know, she’s teaching him how to read, he’s serenading her with poems, and boom—we’ve got a budding royal romance. Turns out, David is quite the romantic.

    And the title of the episode? “Song of Moses.” A nod to one of Scripture’s most powerful anthems of deliverance. Throughout the episode, Michal and Saul reference Exodus 15—the victory song Moses and the Israelites sang after that jaw-dropping Red Sea escape. (If you’re curious, Deuteronomy 32 holds another “Song of Moses,” but that one’s more of a farewell ballad.) Both songs celebrate God’s faithfulness, which feels extra meaningful given everything going on with Saul’s unraveling and David’s rise.

    Now, onto the side drama: Ishvi, Saul’s lesser-known son (his name gets a brief mention in 1 Samuel, but that’s about it), gets the full villain edit. The show paints him as a spoiled aristocrat who disrespects women and winds up exiled to… wait for it… En-dor. Cue the ominous music. It is interesting that his mother decides to banish him to En-dor. This is a place that is for criminals and outcasts.

    Biblically, En-dor is indeed a sketchy hotspot. It’s where Saul later visits a medium in 1 Samuel 28—definitely not a place for a righteous field trip. But the idea that Ishvi was sent there as punishment for his bad behavior? That’s creative license. Nothing in Scripture suggests that storyline—it’s a House of David original.

    All in all, this episode blends the bible with dramatic embellishments. Just remember: the truth of Scripture holds steady, even when the show takes a few artistic detours. Take a look at the study guide for episode 4 attached to hear more about this episode.

    House of David 2025 Study_Episode 4Download

    If you are interested in purchasing the full study guide, you can buy it on Lulu.com.

    https://www.lulu.com/shop/brittany-mcgaffin/house-of-david-bible-study/paperback/product-2m4kdrk.html?page=1&pageSize=4

  • House of David – Episode 3 Rewind

    Well, that escalated quickly. Episode 3 kicks off with a literal nightmare—Saul starts to wander the halls in a sleepwalking stupor and then one night accidentally kills his servant. Not exactly Sunday school material. While this scene doesn’t show up anywhere in the Bible, it definitely sets the tone: Saul is spiraling fast. David, be sure to keep your slingshot close.

    The king’s household is in full panic mode, reaching out to all the sketchy corners of the kingdom for help—priestesses, spiritual healers, mysterious henchmen. When you’re trying to keep a crumbling throne together, apparently no idea is too bizarre.

    Meanwhile, Asher hires a killer to lurk around, hoping to intercept Samuel and the whole “God’s picking a new king” situation. But Samuel’s is not found only his assistant is. The terrible death of the assistant is not something that is found in scripture. Meanwhile Samuel shows up at Jesse’s house like, “Show me your sons.” And true to 1 Samuel 16, he sizes up the first seven (well, five in the show… maybe two called in sick?), and none of them fit the bill. Enter David, the forgotten shepherd boy, and BOOM—God says, “That’s the one.”

    Now here’s where it gets interesting: The second half of the episode, during the anointing, sticks much closer to Scripture than the creative chaos of the first half. But sharp-eyed viewers (yes, I see you!) might notice that there were only five brothers shown instead of the seven the Bible mentions. Did the casting budget max out? Did the writers hope we wouldn’t notice? Oh, but we noticed.

    Let’s be real—some of the story choices in this episode fall into “inspired fan fiction” territory. Saul never kills a servant mid-nightmare in the Bible, and we don’t meet any priestesses trying to calm his troubled mind until much later, after Samuel’s death (1 Samuel 28:7–10). So this episode definitely jumps the timeline a bit.

    But props to the writers for circling back to Scripture with David’s anointing—it’s a beautiful moment, and they pulled it off well. The visual of young David standing among his older, bulkier brothers, being chosen as king… it hits hard.

    Just remember: this show is telling a story based on the Bible—not replacing it. So, while the drama is gripping, it’s always worth flipping back through the pages of Scripture to keep the facts straight. Take a look at episode 3 in the attached study guide to dive a bit deeper into the anointing of David.

    House of David 2025 Study_Episode 3Download

    If you are interested in purchasing the full study guide, you can buy it on Lulu.com.

    https://www.lulu.com/shop/brittany-mcgaffin/house-of-david-bible-study/paperback/product-2m4kdrk.html?page=1&pageSize=4

  • House of David – Episode 2 Rewind

    I don’t know about you, but after Episode 1 of House of David, I was totally hooked. The story felt like it leapt off the page of Scripture and onto the screen. Watching the scenes play out helped me visualize parts of David’s life in a fresh, powerful way. It gave me a new lens on a familiar story that helped to bring a fresh perspective.

    But then came Episode 2—cue dramatic music—and suddenly the spotlight turned to David’s relationship with his mother. Now, here’s where the creative liberties kick into high gear. Because truth be told, the Bible is practically silent about David’s mom. No name, no backstory, no “Thanks for raising a future king!” scene. So what we see on screen is mostly imaginative storytelling with just a sprinkle of scriptural breadcrumbs.

    Let’s break down some of the assumptions the show makes—and where they might’ve found a few narrative nudges in Scripture:

    1. Family history flair: Jesse’s family tree is far from average. His dad Obed was the son of Ruth (a Gentile widow) and Boaz. Boaz? His mom was Rahab—the former prostitute turned hero of Jericho. That lineage might’ve inspired writers to portray David’s mom as another outsider. (See Matthew 1:5–6 for the genealogy.)
    2. The invisible son: Why wasn’t David even invited to the “Let’s meet the future king” party with Samuel? Was he the family’s black sheep? Maybe. Or maybe he was just busy doing his chores—watching sheep while his brothers peacocked around the prophet.
    3. Whose mom is she anyway? The show hints that David’s mother wasn’t the mother of his brothers. But Scripture doesn’t confirm (or deny) that detail—it’s just not in the text.
    4. Revenge of the lion: Yes, David fought bears and lions (epic). But no, the Bible doesn’t say a lion took out his mom The fact that David could kill lions and bears shows that he was actually a skilled fighter and very strong. However, just this fact does not mean his mother was killed by a lion or that he has a vengeance against lions as the show portrays.
    5. Music lessons 101: We don’t know who taught David the lyre. Could’ve been his mom. Could’ve been a neighbor. Could’ve been the ancient equivalent of YouTube—aka, a very patient shepherd with rhythm.

    Bottom line: We simply don’t know much about David’s mother. And that’s okay. Sometimes Scripture is loud with silence, and even that has purpose.

    To counter the arguments above; we do know that David was the youngest son and maybe that is why he was not thought of when Jesse brought all of his other sons to Samuel. Maybe his household chore was taking care of the sheep while the other brothers had other chores or jobs that they were good at. The bible in general is silent or doesn’t provide many facts about many characters in the bible. Maybe his mom didn’t get a headline because she was exactly what was expected: a faithful, ordinary woman in a faithful, ordinary role. That would explain why Scripture highlights women like Rahab and Ruth—because they were unexpected. Sometimes silence in the text is just… silence.

    So as you journey through House of David, take note of what’s explicitly biblical and what’s an artistic interpretation. The show does a great job of pulling us in, making these stories feel alive and relevant—but it’s our job as Bible readers to stay grounded in the truth.

    Let the show stir your imagination, but let Scripture shape your understanding. That’s the kind of study that sharpens both your heart and your mind. Take a spin through the attached study for Episode 2 to hear more and see the specific scripture used in this episode.

    House of David 2025 Study_Episode 2Download

  • House of David – Episode 1 Rewind

    Confession time: I love books. Like, real books. The kind with pages you can turn and dog-ear, with covers you can crack open while sipping something cozy. Call me old-fashioned (or gloriously vintage), but there’s just something about holding a story in your hands that feels… sacred.

    I’m in a couple book clubs—one virtual with East Coast friends, and others that are a little closer to home. And when I’m not reading with those groups, I’m diving into Bible studies—sometimes leading, always learning. There’s just nothing like discussing a great read with people you love and respect. It fuels the soul.

    One of my favorite little joys? Reading a book before the movie or series drops. You know the drill: finish the novel, watch the adaptation, then immediately analyze what made it in, what got cut, and whether the characters looked anything like you imagined. It’s a guilty pleasure of mine.

    So, when I found out House of David was coming to the screen, I knew I had to circle back to my all-time favorite book: the Bible. I cracked open 1 Samuel and dove in with fresh eyes and popcorn-ready curiosity.

    Unlike other adaptations, turning biblical stories into shows isn’t just creative—it’s a delicate balancing act. These aren’t fantasy tales; they’re sacred history. That’s why I felt the nudge to create the House of David Study—a fun, flexible companion to the series that keeps us grounded in Scripture while letting us enjoy the storytelling.

    You can snag the study as a free download—it’s bite-sized enough to print (double-sided if you’re eco-friendly like me!) and can be done solo, with friends, or even with your spouse. I’ve walked through it with my Bible study group and with my husband, and it sparked some seriously rich conversation. Plus, the action-packed vibe of the show (a little like The Chosen) makes it a win with the guys too.

    As you have gotten into the show you probably noticed in episode one, the show has Goliath hurling spears at David—drama, tension, slo-mo fall… the whole deal. But is this in scripture? The bible doesn’t mention those spears. It’s not wrong to imagine those moments artistically, but if you didn’t know the biblical text, you might assume the show is 100% accurate. That’s why I created this study: to help viewers see where the screen shines with Scripture… and where it takes some creative leaps.

    So here’s my suggestion: watch episode one of House of David, then go through session one of the study while it’s still fresh in your mind. Want some extra context? Read 1 Samuel 9, 10, and 15 to really dig into Saul’s backstory. It all connects beautifully. Above all, my prayer is that this study brings you closer not only to David’s story, but to the heart of the Bible itself—and draws you deeper in your journey with the Lord.

    House of David Season 1 StudyDownload