House Of David Episode 1-3 recap: Who is announced as Israel's new King?

Amazon Prime Video's latest Historical drama, House of David, takes the epic battle between David and Goliath from the Old Testament and adapts it to the small screen.

The show debuted with three episodes on February 27, 2025, and introduces the titular character of David, a humble teenage boy who is outcasted by his family.

Elsewhere, the Israeli King Saul has become too prideful and greedy, which leads Samuel, God's Prophet, to curse him into madness. Saul, plagued by horrible visions, is not fit to rule anymore, and Samuel hunts for a new King.

While the boy poses no qualities to be a king, Samuel fulfills God's wishes and anoints David as the new King of Israel.

Here is the complete recap of House of David Episodes 1-3.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for House of David Episodes 1-3. Reader discretion is advised.

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Samuel curses King Saul in House of David Episodes 1-3

While King Saul was once obedient towards the Almighty and the seer Samuel, he has taken a path of greed and personal gain. As conveyed by Samuel, God wishes for King Saul to destroy the Amalekite clan by killing their leader, Agag. But he cautions him not to take their land for personal gain; otherwise, he will suffer dire consequences.

Against his son Jonathan's wishes, Saul does not kill Agag but captures and displays him in front of his subjects and takes hold of his land to distribute among his subjects. After Samuel learns about Saul's disobedience to God, he publicly warns him God has rejected him and will soon choose a new King for Israel.

Samuel also tells him that his prideful actions have taken him away from the Almighty and cursed him with horrible visions and hallucinations.

Saul gets plagued by these visions, which slowly drift him towards madness, and he accidentally kills one of his loyal guards during one of his episodes. While he is clearly not fit to rule anymore, his wife assures Jonathan that their family will maintain their rule and sends one of her guards to kill the person Samuel chose to be the new King.

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David journeys from a noble shepherd to a warrior in House of David Episodes 1-3

House of David introduces its hero, David, a humble shepherd and musician, who is out with his sheep in remote Bethlehem. He and his flock are attacked by a lion, and we soon learn that the lion has a long history with his family, as his mother, Nitzevet, was killed by the beast while saving her son.

He is an outcast berated by his father, Jesse, for not caring for the sheep properly. While he manages to run away the first time, the beast returns again to attack her sister Avva.

David and his father drive the animal away from their home, but David decides to end the battle once and for all. He follows the beast inside a cave and eventually slays him, collecting his claws as a keepsake for Avva.

He then journeys to Baal Hazor with his brother Eliab, which is plagued by Giant's attack. They are cornered by the Philistine King Achish, who shoots an arrow at Eliab's back, but David eventually saves him and escapes.

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Samuel announces David as the new King in House of David Episodes 1-3

After following God's command and cursing King Saul, Samuel gets another vision where he is guided to Bethlehem. God commands that the new King of Israel will be found in the remoteness.

He meets Jesse and has a premonition that the new King will be one of his kin. Jesse introduces all his sons to Samuel, except David. But the all-encompassing Samuel locates David eventually and touches his forehead.

He preaches that, unlike humans, God does not see the outer appearance but only sees your heart. This is why a meek teenage boy like David is chosen to be the new King of Israel and succeed Saul. He anoints David as the new King.

Catch Episode 4 on March 6, 2025.

Also Read: House Of David cast and character guide

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