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Amazon Prime's biblical drama "House of David" is a series that I have been looking forward to since the beginning of the year. The famed underdog matchup of the shepherd boy David versus the 10-foot-tall Philistine warrior Goliath is one of the most well-known and beloved stories in Scripture. Growing up, most of us who attended church learned about young David in Sunday school. One of David's attributes that intrigued me the most as a child was that he was described as "a man after God's own heart," someone intimately close with the Lord and who worshipped Him from the depths of his soul. David's psalms, songs that not only profoundly praise God but genuinely address the plight and emotional suffering of the human spirit, have inspired people for centuries. They are songs that deeply mourn David's losses and exuberantly applaud his triumphs, as God takes him from the humble fields of sheep watching in Bethlehem to the palace in Judah.

Three "House of David" episodes have been released, with exceptional visual storytelling. In the first episode, "A Shepherd and a King," viewers are taken to the battle of Havilah against the Amalekites, the last great victory of King Saul before Goliath and the Philistines threaten his kingdom. Saul, portrayed by Ali Suliman, is confident but cautiously optimistic as he hopes to sustain the throne for his descendants. After Saul and his army defeat the Amalekites and their evil, cannibalistic King Agag, Saul plans a grand celebration, but the party is crashed by the Hebrew prophet Samuel (Stephen Lang). Samuel brings the message of God's judgment upon Saul for disobeying His command to completely destroy the Amalekites, which sets up David's destiny to become king.

As I watched "A Shepherd and a King," I thought about the political and social hierarchy dynamics that stood in David's way from making a better life for himself, obstacles that I did not understand during my Sunday school years. David was the least in his father Jesse's household, the youngest son who had no right to the inheritance of the birthright that his eldest brother, Eliab, would obtain. The series' writers also took creative license in framing David's backstory as an illegitimate son of his father. However, there is no account of this in 1 Samuel 16, in which David is anointed king. Michael Iskander portrays David with a somber inquisitiveness, a young lad greatly disturbed by the disdainful treatment he receives from his brothers but who earnestly believes God has greater things planned for him.

The main reason for God choosing David that I hope viewers of this series will come to understand is shown in the scene referencing 1 Samuel 16:7, where Samuel initially thinks God has selected Eliab, standing in awe of the stature and height of David's eldest brother. But God immediately tells Samuel that Eliab has been rejected, firmly stating, "for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." The Hebrew translation of "heart" in this verse means understanding the mind, the intents and desires that dwell in our innermost being. This verse has resonated with me as I've gotten older because it enlightens us on God's divine perspective and how it opposes what the world values. In our present times, many people are amazed, like Samuel was for a moment, by the impressive physical countenance of certain individuals, or they may revere those with wealth and positions of power. The latter caused the downfall of Saul because he basked in the glorified admiration of his subjects. His heart left God as he began to worship material gain and authority.

David had no ambition steeped in worldly gratification, and although he was not gravely destitute, his father, Jesse, was not a significant man of influence in Bethlehem. From a societal standpoint, David would never be considered qualified to be king, but God looked into his heart, seeing compassion, loyalty, courage and humility.

As I await the next "House of David" episodes, I am reminded of Proverbs 4:23 as I revisit David's journey: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." David encountered severe "issues" due to his indiscretions after becoming king. Still, he never abandoned his faith in God, which has made him an endearing Bible character throughout generations.

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Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com. Follow her on X: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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