HOUSE OF DAVID 104 “The Song of Moses”

Episode 104 of HOUSE OF DAVID on Prime Video picks up shortly after David’s family is visited by the prophet Samuel and David is anointed king. Worried about how King Saul will react when he hears of the news, the family conspires to cover up what occurred, vowing to tell no one of Samuel’s visit. Their worst fears, however, are made true when King Saul summons David for an undisclosed reason. 

As the episode begins, David wakes up next to a waterfall in a place he does not recognize. After a strange encounter with an armored man, he wakes up and realizes it was a vision from the Lord. Not understanding what it means, he asks Samuel to interpret it for him and help him understand what’s happening. 

Samuel, however, has no interpretation, instead encouraging David that he has the Lord’s favor, and the Holy Spirit now rests on him as it did for the notable figures of Israel’s past. Though David begs Samuel to stay and help him on his walk, Samuel says that he must go, for both their safety. 

Meanwhile, David’s family is furious that Samuel anointed David, scared of how King Saul will react when the news inevitably reaches his ears. Some go as far as to say Samuel made a mistake, and David was not supposed to be chosen by the Lord. Their father, Jesse, however, defends Samuel, showing his reverence for the holy prophet. They all agree, however, that they and David are in grave danger, and he should lay low for now. 

This proves to be impossible, though when they’re visited by a high-ranking member of the king’s army who has an order to bring David to the castle. The family is forced to oblige, and David is brought to the castle, while accompanied by his oldest brother, Eliab, a trusted member of the army. 

While David and his brother are traveling to the castle, trouble is brewing in King Saul’s kingdom. Yahir, the leader of the tribe of Dan, accuses Saul’s son, Eshbaal, of defiling his daughter. Saul, however, doesn’t not want to hear it. He retreats to his chambers, but the Queen arrives to settle the dispute. 

Yahir demands Eshbaal and his daughter be married. Otherwise, he will invoke the Law of Moses, which calls for adulterers to be stoned to death. The Queen tells him to return the next day, and she will have a decision made. 

A stormy family dinner occurs. Saul insults his son and calls him a curse. The next day, they meet with Yahir to discuss what will happen. The Queen decides her son will be exiled and sends him away immediately. 

Soon after, David and his brother arrive at the castle. Immediately, their minds are set at ease when it’s revealed that David was summoned to play his music for the King to help soothe his troubled mind. While many musicians had been brought before King Saul for this same purpose, none were able to have any effect on him. David’s music, however, immediately helps the King’s troubled mind find rest. David is then given a room in the castle so he can serve the king as long as needed. 

David’s brother knows David is still in great danger, however, and commands him to keep to himself and stay out of trouble. However, being a curious person, David doesn’t  follow his brother’s advice and immediately beings exploring the castle. He comes upon a library full of Scripture and is in awe of the room. However, he is surprised when he finds the King’s youngest daughter, Michal, there. He begins to leave so as not to get into trouble, but she asks him to stay because he finds the room so beautiful. 

The next day, David’s brother, Eliab, is summoned before the King and asked if he knows anything about a plot to overthrow the King. He is told that there are rumors that Samuel visited his hometown in Judah and anointed somebody to overtake the throne from Saul. Eliab lies and claims he has no knowledge of such an occurrence and that he would tell the King if he did. That night, David’s summoned back to the library by Michel, who tells him she wants to teach him how to read. 

At the same time, Eshbaal’s escort to the city where he’s being exiled gets attacked and his carriage set on fire. He’s forced to flee, though he doesn’t make it far before he’s confronted by the bandit who attacked him. The bandit asks if he is Saul’s son and after Eshbaal confirms that he is, the bandit leads him away. 

Episode 104 of HOUSE OF DAVID is extremely eventful as the pieces of David’s story begin to come together. Now that he’s been anointed by Samuel, David is in great danger and will remain so until Saul’s death many years later. However, still being a teenager, he doesn’t fully grasp the situation  and allows his curiosities get the better of sound advice. Furthermore, Saul doesn’t yet know David is the one chosen by Samuel. Thus, the irony is that David becomes King Saul’s healer while also serving as the greatest threat to his rule. 

Episode Four of HOUSE OF DAVID is very focused on the biblical record of Davids life. It accurately portrays the events of David’s life as they are written in the Bible. The episode also shows that David’s relationship with the Lord is extremely strong and reveals David’s reverence for Scripture. Other characters also express their own reverence for the Lord and the law He’s established for Israel. There are few questionable elements in this episode, which is titled “The Song of Moses.” However, Episode 104 has brief scenes of violence, especially when Samuel’s servant is killed and his bones are charred after being desecrated. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises caution for older children.