King David

Who Was King David in the Bible?

David is one of the central figures in the two books of Samuel. He begins as the youngest son of Jesse from Bethlehem, a shepherd chosen by God through Samuel, and he later rises to serve King Saul as a musician, armor-bearer, and warrior.

Highlighted in this movie are the key conflicts between David and Saul in Samuel, which center on Saul’s jealousy, fear, and attempts to kill David. After David’s success in battle and growing public praise, Saul sees him as a threat to the throne and repeatedly tries to eliminate him, while David refuses to harm Saul because he still regards him as the Lord’s anointed.

A second conflict develops into a broader civil struggle after Saul’s death. David is first made king over Judah, while Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, is installed over the northern tribes, leading to a long war between the house of David and the house of Saul before David finally becomes king over all Israel.


Key Conflicts Between David and King Saul   “In Samuel, David is portrayed as both gifted and deeply favored by God: He defeats Goliath, gains the people’s admiration, and is eventually anointed as king, though his path to the throne is marked by conflict, danger, and patience. The narrative presents him as a complex leader whose life shows both human weakness and strong devotion to the Lord.

•  Enjoy this 1985 classic video (full movie, 1.5 hrs.): Starring Richard Gere, it adheres substantially to the true historical account.

Presents many of the events that have become legend, from David’s battle with Goliath to his self-destructive yearning for Bathsheba.

Key aspects of this movie   This 1985 “King David” biblical epic has strong production values and a visual sense of the ancient world. The film, shot in Italy, features solid sets and costumes, and uses thoughtful cinematography that many reviewers praised, giving the story a realistic, grounded feel rather than an overly stylized spectacle.