House of David Season 2 First Look: David's Gross Bride-Price and More
- Kevin Keating
- Aug 29
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 5
House of David Season 2 is set to be released October 5 of this year and Wonder Project just released the first images of the new season. Below, I'll consider what we can learn about House of David Season 2 from these initial images (hint: it looks like we will indeed be getting one of the Bible's grossest stories about David). Note: I'll also be discussing these images in an upcoming discussion on The Bible Artist Podcast.
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How will House of David Season 2 begin?
House of David Season 1 ended with David slaying Goliath and cutting off the giant's head, while the Israelites and Philistines come charging at one another. I always assumed that Season 2 would pick up where Season 1 left off, with the ensuing battle between the Israelites, led by King Saul and Prince Jonathan, and the Philistines, led by King Achish. But there was always a possibility that the show would skip ahead in the story, allowing David's rise in the Israelite army and his growing fame to happen off screen. But this first batch of images from House of David will indeed begin where Season 1 left off, with the battle against the Philistines that ensued after David's triumph over Goliath. Jonathan (Ethan Kai) and Joab (Aury Alby) are notably present in this image - I suspect that this opening battle scene will further cement David's friendship with Jonathan and Joab's respect for David as a warrior.
King Saul Reborn
King Saul (Ali Suliman) spent the better part of House of David Season 1 cooped up in his palace, addled by the evil spirit that the prophet Samuel handed him over to early in the season. Near the end of Season 1, Mychal (Indy Lewis) is able to help pull Saul out of his madness and David's heroic courage seem to inspire him to renewed vigor. In Season 2, the opening battle against the Philistines will provide Saul an opportunity to demonstrate the strength that once won him respect among the Israelites, before he once again descends into paranoia and madness. But as brave and deadly as Saul may prove on the battlefield, we can expect him to be one-upped by David, leading to the famous song, "Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands," which will amplify Saul's envy and paranoia.
After David's defeat of Goliath, Saul is forced to hail him publicly in front of the Israelites, alas we see in this image But privately, Saul's anxiety will turn him against his victorious hero.
A David, Mychal, and Mirab Romantic Triangle
Season 1 of House of David established David's romantic interest in Mychal and her reciprocal interest in him. Given how the hand of one of Saul's daughters was promised to anyone who defeated Goliath, you would think that their romantic arc would quickly reach its climax in marriage in Season 2. But anyone who has read the biblical account knows that the story isn't that simple. Instead of offering David Mychal, Saul offers his eldest daughter, Mirab, and David turns down the offer (1 Samuel 18:17-19). Season 1 of House of David seemed to hint at the possibility that Mirab is interested in David, so it seems quite possible that she will insist on being married ahead of Mychal. Unfortunately for Mirab, after David turns her down, she will end up being married off to the creepy Judean noble, Adriel, clearing the way for Mychal and David's romance to resume.
King Saul vs Queen Ahinoam
Season 1 established Saul's wife, Queen Ahinoam as the architect of some of Saul's worst schemes. At the end of Season 1, however, Ahinoam chose to announce her disgraced son, Eshbaal, when it looked like Saul was doomed to defeat. The unexpected defeat of the Philistines and Saul's return to Gibeah looks like it will introduce conflict between the two rulers.
David's Gross Bride-Price
David feels a great deal of insecurity, as a fairly poor commoner (and in House of David, a bastard) asking for the hand of the daughter of the King. He can't afford a proper bride-price and so he feels compelled to prove himself through a feat of arms. At the same time, King Saul, already envying David's fame and growing in paranoia, is hoping to fight a convenient way to kill off the potential rival for the throne. His solution is to invite David to earn Mychal's hand by completing a seemingly impossible (and gross) quest: to kill and circumcise the foreskin off of 100 Philistine warriors (1 Samuel 18:25-26). The idea of collecting foreskins may seem very strange to modern viewers, but it's basically a way for David to to confirm his enemy kills (Israelite males were all circumcised and so the only way to get an adult foreskin would be to slay a Philistine). Not only does David complete Saul's tasks, he doubles down and kills and circumcises 200 Philistines (1 Samuel 18:27).
I was unsure of whether House of David would depict such a gross and disturbing biblical moment, but the new images from Season 2 seem to confirm it. Although we don't see the foreskins themselves (and I hope we never will), we see David, covered in blood, arriving triumphantly in Gibeah, holding a bloody bag, flanked by Joab and Jonathan. It seems quite likely that this bag contains the foreskins, which David has come to present to King Saul. It's worth noting that David looks a little sinister in the image - perhaps a sign that the show will portray David's headhunting in a somewhat negative light - perhaps as a part of the type of self-serving behavior that will lead him to lie to the priests of Nob, resulting in their slaughter (1 Samuel 22:6-23).
David on the Run?
Eventually, Saul's jealousy will lead him to attempt to assassinate David. After trying (and failing) to make things right, David is forced to flee and live as an outlaw. It appears that we'll see at least some of David's time on the run in House of David Season 2.
The Last Days of Samuel
Stephen Lang's performance as the prophet Samuel was a highlight of House of David Season 1, so it's not surprise to see him return in Season 2. But Samuel's days are numbered. He doesn't have much more of a role in the biblical narrative and will die soon - most likely by the end of Season 2.
House of David Season 1 was probably my favorite Bible show of the year thus far, so I'm eagerly anticipating what Season 2 will bring. Stay tuned for more updates on House of David. Also, if your Bible study or church are considering studying the show this Fall, consider becoming a member of my Buy Me a Coffee ($5/month or $50/year) - I recently completed study guides for all eight episodes that will allow you and your community to discuss the show and dig deeper into some of the biblical texts that it draws on.
