David
In the past I've liked to write about bits of culture that have a profound effect on the kids, especially when there are songs involved. It's been a little while, though, since I've added anything to the KidsStuff tag. Well, this summer our kids got obsessed with the soundtrack to the Angel Studios animated film David, which came out last year. They only saw the movie twice, both within a week I believe (my mom has the required subscription and we do not), but the requests to hear the music have lasted to the present day, even if they've fallen off to an extent. So I feel led to share.
David is an animated telling of the story of the biblical David of ancient Israel, warrior, writer of psalms, king, and a man after God. It does not show his entire life and the troubling run-ins with Bathsheba and Absalom, for two examples, during his later reign. This film focuses on his youth and young adulthood (i.e. the book of 1 Samuel) before he becomes the king of a line who will rule forever. We meet David, naturally, as a boy tending and protecting his family's sheep. Though he's the youngest and least physically impressive son he gets anointed by the judge and prophet Samuel, in secret from the current king Saul. Regardless of the danger he goes to Saul and becomes the only one who can soothe the king's desolation with his talent for music. He fights Goliath, who in this version is weirdly pale and effeminate. He befriends Jonathan, Saul's son and intended heir. Eventually Saul learns David's destiny and it forces the young man to flee. Though he has a chance, David does nothing to harm Saul, as he is also anointed and chosen by God. In the process of all this he becomes a great leader and even greater warrior. Through all the struggles and battles we continue to see David's most defining qualities, his heart and his faith in God's purpose for him. The climax shows the pursuit of the Amalekites after they captured a segment of Judah, including David's family (1 Samuel 30). He faces them down alone, or so he thinks. Overall I do think it's a good film, though I'm not entirely convinced it's a great one.
However, the soundtrack has some bangers. For one thing they brought in a huge name in Christian music, Phil Wickham, to voice the adult David. And as these kind of movies go, when they're going well at least, many or most of the biggest moments occur mid-song. They did a good job with this.
Tapestry is David learning that God's plan and purpose for us is complicated and we may not understand it all, a lesson taught to him by his mother.
Shalom is David easing Saul's pain, and bringing him back from the brink. In doing so he does what no one else can do, because of a spirit that goes beyond himself.
Follow the Light is David's ethos, and this song shows how he is formed by it into manhood.
Why God - My God is David (and the rest of his family) going through it. Flee or be killed. If he has great purpose, why is this happening to him? I think it's a sentiment we can all understand.
There's more I'm not going to include here. Obviously the story doesn't end at David's lowest point. But before I wrap up I need to include the kids favorite from the end credits, called Psalm 8. Its lyrics come from the Davidic Psalm.
The songs and how they teach us about David, a vastly important figure for Jews and Christians alike, makes this a movie worth seeing. It's kind of perfect that this man was such a prolific musician and composer himself. They also, from what I can tell, put a fair amount of thought into showing ancient Israelite culture and that was cool to see too. I'm glad this got made, that there seems to be a renewed desire to tell such stories, and I imagine we'll at some point probably buy it. If you have a chance, check it out!
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