Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for House of David Episode 7.
The penultimate episode of House of David’s first season comes only after the great news that the series has been renewed for a second season. The Prime Video series has been killing it on streaming, and it’s no wonder, as the show continues to expand masterfully on the biblical story. With “David and Goliath – Part 1,” we’re finally entering the long-awaited chapter where David (Michael Iskander) is set to battle with Goliath (Martyn Ford), and we’re only one episode away from an epic battle that will change the course of history.
‘House of David’ Episode 7 Prepares the Battlefield

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“David and Goliath – Part 1” opens with David singing as the sun rises, but things quickly change as Jesse (Louis Ferreira) sends his sons to war. David’s brother Nathaneel (Aziz Dyab) tries to convince his father not to send him, noting that Jesse despises King Saul (Ali Suliman). “I send you to fight alongside your brothers, for God and for Israel,” Jesse tells him. But when David asks Jesse why he can’t go fight, Jesse doesn’t give him a real answer, instead ordering him to tend to the sheep. Frustrated, he obeys his father, and goes back to the sheep. Meanwhile, in the Valley of Elah, the Philistines arrive and Goliath and his brothers have gathered alongside them. It seems that war is inevitable, and all of Israel gathers to oppose them.
At the Israelite encampment, Saul reflects on his 30 years as king. He says he is taking stock, but Abner (Oded Fehr) believes he is complaining. Saul takes more of Ahinoam’s (Ayelet Zurer) potion as Abner puts his armor on him. “Tell me, Abner, tell me who I am,” he asks. “You are Saul the Conqueror,” his cousin responds, but Saul is not satisfied. He wants to know who he is to him personally, to which Abner replies that Saul gave his life purpose. Abner puts his crown back on his head. Elsewhere, Joab (Aury Alby) and Jonathan (Ethan Kai) look over the armies. Jonathan looks over a young boy’s sword (of Asher), and helps remind him that God is with them and that they have nothing to fear. The boy asks if Samuel (Stephen Lang) is coming to bless the battle, to which Jonathan sadly replies, “If God wills it.” Realizing that he must lead his people with strength, Saul tries to rally the troops, which include the Tribe of Judah. Among them is Adriel (Stewart Scudamore), who stands by his king, though he claims that all is not forgotten, referencing the events of “The Wolf and The Lion.”
In Bethlehem, Jesse and David continue their routine. They pray and ask for God’s direction and wisdom, only for Samuel to arrive. Sitting with David, Jesse, and Avva (Rada Rae), Samuel notes that everything has a purpose. Though David says he wants to fight, Samuel changes the subject, knowing that the boy is not quite ready, though he soon will be. Jesse asks why Samuel is here, and the seer notes that he is there to redeem the sins of the house.
The House of Saul Struggles While David Prepares for War in Episode 7

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At the battlefield, the Philistines and Israelites stand off. King Achish (Alexander Uloom) is clearly out for revenge for the murder of his father years prior, and Jonathan notes that he, too, would be angry if his father were killed in battle. They note that Achish hasn’t united all five territories of Philista (as Ekron is missing), which is a good sign. Still, Achish quickly sullies the Hebrews’ spirits when he sends out Goliath in his full body armor, ready to fight. All of Israel shudders when Goliath asks for their king, wanting to claim the lands with his blood. “I defy Israel. I defy your God,” Goliath roars. “Send me your champion!” Upon seeing the giant with his own eyes, Saul succumbs to a vision of himself and Goliath and struggles to compose himself. Saul falls off his horse, and his potion shatters. Rattled by this ordeal, Saul says that for whoever fights Goliath and wins, he will offer his daughter in marriage as a reward.
That evening, David plays for Samuel and asks the prophet why they are waiting, as he is eager to be in the battle. Samuel tells David the story of his mother, Hannah, who was faithful to God until he was born. “The influence of a mother is greater than a king, a thousand kings,” he says, showing the shepherd the token he wears in honor of her. David tells Samuel that he has been seeing things, dreams, as if he is somewhere else entirely, noting that in them, he feels “peace beyond understanding.” He describes the streams and sees the warrior who is protecting the stream. Understanding David’s vision, Samuel tells the shepherd boy the story of the man whom Joshua, Moses’ apprentice, encountered the night before the Battle of Jericho. He says that the warrior was “the Captain of the Armies of the Lord of Hosts.” Samuel tells David that many ask, “Is God for us?” but notes that the question that should be asked is, “Are we for God?” Samuel explains that Joshua’s willingness to submit to God is why Jericho fell.
On the battlefield the next day, Goliath makes the same offer he did the day before. If a champion from Israel strikes him down, the Philistines will be their slaves, but if the opposite is true, Israel will serve the Philistines. Many days go by, perhaps weeks, and Israel refuses to send a champion. Each day, Goliath demands the same. In Gibeah, Ahinoam receives news from the battlefield, and reads it to Mychal (Indy Lewis) and Mirab (Yali Topol Margalith). Mychal reads the letter, discovering that Saul is again succumbing to the evil spirit’s power. Ahinoam says that there is nothing left to do. “At the very least we pray,” Mychal suggests, but the queen refuses. She does not want to hear God’s name said in her presence any longer.

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‘House of David’ Episode 7 Builds Anticipation for the Finale

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When Mychal goes to the scripture room, she takes a scroll with her and sneaks out. She decides to go see her father at the battlefield, but Mirab tries to convince her otherwise. “What could we possibly do?” she asks, to which Mychal expresses her hopes that she can bring their father back. Mirab decides to go with her. “I disagree with Mother,” Mirab admits. “There is always hope.” Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the Tribe of Zebulun leaves because they do not believe that God is with the king. Adriel tells Jonathan that, if Saul won’t lead, he will, prompting a threat from Abner. However, these words cut deep into Jonathan, who decides to go fight Goliath himself before Abner convinces him otherwise, offering another way. Abner introduces Jonathan to a group of assassins, mercenaries really, who he has hired to kill Goliath at night.
But before evening comes, Mychal and Mirab ride to the Valley of Elah. They speak first of fear, though Mychal says there is no time for it. Mirab asks Mychal about David, but Mychal believes that he abandoned their father, and that she doesn’t want to think about him at all. This isn’t the entire truth, of course, as Ahinoam seemed to have sent David away, but Mychal doesn’t know this. In Bethlehem, Samuel tells Jesse that the sins of his house have been forgiven with a worthy sacrifice. The prophet speaks with Jesse alone, and tells him that the blessing of the Most High is on their house, but then confronts Jesse about why he clings to David. Jesse admits that he fears the unbroken fire in him, but Samuel gets to the heart of the matter. He tells Jesse that he has yet to offer the best of his flock. He has yet to offer to God the one he loves the most, that being David.
David’s Visions Push Us Closer to His Destiny in ‘House of David’ Episode 7

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After speaking with Samuel, David returns to his vision. He sees the Captain of the Lord of Hosts and, doing what Joshua did, unties his shoes and walks on the holy ground. “What would you have your servant do?” he asks, and the warrior points to the water. David enters it and finds a bloody stone in his hand. He wakes and wonders why God would choose him, wanting to understand. Just then, his father calls him, and he returns home. Jesse tells David to take provisions for his brothers on the battlefield, but not before he tells David the truth. He tells David about his first wife, who was pure even though he wasn’t because of his ancestry (the Hebrews were not supposed to marry Moabites, but Jesse’s grandfather Boaz had once married Ruth, a Moabitess herself). After the death of his first wife, Jesse married David’s mother, Nitzevet (Siir Tilif), unlawfully, but did so anyway out of love. He then shares with David Nitzevet’s last words: “Let him rise.” It seems that she always understood her son’s destiny. “I don’t send you to the fields because I am ashamed of you,” Jesse reveals. “I keep you here, David, because I love you.”
At the Israelites’ camp in Elah, Doeg (Ashraf Barhom) watches Saul as he wrestles with his demons, only for Jonathan to arrive and wonder why he is there. Doeg aims to counsel the prince, but Jonathan won’t have it. Doeg reveals that Jonathan has a bigger problem than Goliath, namely that Samuel anointed another. The Edomite claims that he just needs a name so that he can kill the next king. “Mark my words, Edomite, even if I die on that field, it will not be before I watch the life drain from your eyes,” Jonathan threatens the assassin. While Jonathan knows that his time as king will never come to pass, he appears to be okay with it, and that evening joins Abner’s assassins under cover of darkness as Saul is tormented by visions of his son’s death. The next day, Samuel and Jesse bid David farewell, but not before the prophet reminds David of the lion’s roar, encouraging him as he goes off to the battlefield. With that, the show has almost caught up to where it started in the series premiere.
New episodes of House of David drop every Thursday on Prime Video.

House of David

Everything has been leading to this, with David and Goliath both primed for battle in House of David Episode 7.

Release Date

February 27, 2025

Network

Prime Video

Cast

Pros & Cons

Stephen Lang’s Samuel is arguably one of the best parts of this show.
David’s surrender to God means that he is finally ready to face Goliath.
Tensions are strong between the Philistines and Israelites.

No giant-based fights? Come on.
This feels like an odd way to write Jonathan out of the main battle.