The Shadow of a King

The Old Testament is a vast and remarkable history, showcasing numerous battles of the nation of Israel and the incredible miracles of God that have been immortalized in films. In their series, The Shadow of a King, Daniel Cole and Jeffery Scott Gage tell the story of David as proof of concept in a gritty, down-to-earth way.

Our tale of David (Nathan D. Myers) opens with him as a young adult. Having already slain the giant Goliath, David is the best friend of King Saul’s son, Jonathan (John Driscoll), and a trusted member of Saul’s (Charlie Hodges) kingdom.

At this time, Israel is growing into a power player in global politics, and its surrounding enemies are eager to witness or be part of its demise. As King Saul’s power grows, prophetic visions seem to indicate that Saul’s reign may end with him, and a new leader will take over one day.

Meanwhile, a faction of heathen Baal worshipers have plans to install their own leader. When a young boy is murdered…more sacrificed, David knows he is called to solve the crime, but there are forces determined to kill God’s chosen one.

This review will cover the first two episodes of The Shadow of a King. It should have dawned on me that the history of Israel as documented in the Torah (the Old Testament) would make an incredible television series…yes, inspired by Game of Thrones. Now add the providential hand of God overseeing the chess pieces here on Earth, and you have a unique story on your hands.

“…tell[s] the story of David as proof of concept in a gritty down-to-earth way.”

In episodes one and two, Nathan D. Myers portrays David as a young adult and a mere servant to the king. He’s unsure of himself as he witnesses questionable actions by the king to force his subjects into submission physically. David is pushed back against the wall when he discovers the king’s plan to assassinate him. The one-time giant slayer must somehow convince his best friend, Jonathan, of his father’s plans.

Most interesting to watch in The Shadow of a King is how writers/directors Daniel Cole and Jeffery Scott Gage turn our Sunday School stories into an adult tale of political intrigue with a nod to Dungeons and Dragons. They clearly take liberties with the sparse dialogue from the Old Testament and build a larger world with dozens of chapters and episodes to produce.

For example, in episode two, we are introduced to Army General Uriah (Jeffery Scott Gage) and his soon-to-be wife Bathsheba (Lisa Carraway). We know where this one’s headed, but that’s long down the road. My point is there are a lot of stories to explore, with a massive cast of characters working with and against David along the way. Cole and Gage then introduce the element of God, His will, and His promises to His people for added flavor.

With a decent story and great potential, the potential downfall of the series is its budgetary constraints. The funds are low, which makes it difficult to tell a grand story. The Shadow of a King leans heavily into the story’s drama, leaving little for proper fight and battle sequences. When money is low, the right decision is to focus on the drama in-studio, as the BBC used to do.

If the focus is to be on the drama, then it is critical to really hone in on tightening that script. Don’t waste a single line of dialogue. Make it impactful to the overall story and add biblical Jewish traditions wherever you can. Also, encourage the cast to up their acting game. Put your best foot forward because there is potential here that must not be wasted.

The Shadow of a King shows that the ancient story of King David and the nation of Israel has the potential to tell the thrilling cutthroat story of a true-to-life “Game of Thrones.”