House of David: When Critics Miss the Kingdom

While we’ve been waiting for the final episode of House of David (Season 1) to offer our full review, today’s scathing write-up in The Jewish Chronicle has forced Red Sky to inject an instant response.

The critique, which curiously brands the series as “hokey” and emotionally hollow, bashes a project that—while not without its imperfections—is by far one of the most ambitious and effective biblical adaptations ever produced.

To be clear, Red Sky is still waiting for the final episodes to air (March 27 and April 3) before presenting our full review of Season One. But six episodes in, House of David is already shaping up to be a must-see for Christians, Jews, or historical film fans of any ilk. It’s smart, biblically grounded, visually compelling, and—most importantly—it understands the supernatural power of the story it’s telling.

The Chronicle’s critique completely overlooks or dismisses several major strengths of the series. First, the production quality is objectively excellent. Filmed in Greece, the cinematography and lighting consistently elevate the material. This is not the typical low-budget, made-for-TV fare. From sweeping battlefield shots to shadowy interior vignettes, the visual design is purposeful, well-executed, historically sensitive, and powerfully presented.

Second, the script deserves more credit than it’s getting. Compared to other top-rated Bible adaptations, this one feels more refined and confident in the risks it takes. The dialogue is natural, the character arcs are interesting and thoughtfully drawn, and the acting performances—particularly Michael Iskander as David and Stephen Lang as the prophet Samuel—carry genuine emotional weight. The directing is equally commendable, rising well above genre expectations.

But above all, House of David succeeds where it matters most: it captures the supernatural and spiritual essence of David’s story. While all biblical adaptations must take creative license to fill in historical gaps, this one does so without losing sight of the deeper truths of David’s early life. The themes of divine calling, spiritual warfare, and kingly humility are all present—and at times, even stirring.

The response from viewers backs this up. The series holds an 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and pulled in over 22 million viewers in its first 17 days—leading Amazon to greenlight a second season.

And that’s no small thing. The renewal adds urgency and importance for the Body of Christ to actively pray this series forward—to greater biblical precision, deeper spiritual resonance, and broader cultural reach. The groundwork is there. With continued refinement, House of David could become not just good, but great.

Credit is due to executive producers Jon Erwin (Jesus Revolution), Jeff Shafer (The Wonder Project), and the broader production team for having the courage to tackle such sacred material with reverence and artistic integrity. And as we prayerfully await the final two episodes, let’s also remember that God often uses imperfect vessels to proclaim timeless truths.“I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.”
—David, from Psalm 3:6 (ESV)