It continues to describe this saga by explaining that it would surround the biblical tale of Samuel, Saul, and David. If you are familiar with the biblical story of these three individuals and continue to read the plot of the series; you will find it to be fairly consistent. Samuel a prophet in the Bible was in charge of getting instructions on how to lead the Children of Israel. This was also one of the responsibilities of the prophet Moses. However, the people of Israel did not want to receive orders directly from God anymore. They desired a king who they can see and receive their instructions directly. Although disappointed by their decision, Samuel listens to the people and God, who instructed him to choose Saul as the King of Israel.
Throughout his reign as king, Saul was disobedient to the laws and instructions of God, which lead God to select another king. This king was the prophet David, a man that God described as someone “after his own heart.” The plot of the ABC series is consistent with this story but inconsistent with the people. The people in the Bible are Black, but on the screen they are white. David who was a musician and fierce warrior was also the father of Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. In the Bible, inside the section Songs of Solomon chapter one, verses five and six, Solomon said he was “Black.” How can he be Black, but his father is white? It doesn’t add up. There is no mention that these men were involved with adoption in the Bible, so the characterization of these individuals can be concluded as false.
This falsehood of mischaracterizing our ancestors has been long perpetrated by the powers that control the images on the screen. The passion of Christ and The Ten Commandments are a couple of biblical movies that have little to no black characters. Most recently the producers of the God of Egypt movie apologize for its lack of diversity in casting. How can you have any movie based in Africa and not include Black people? It doesn’t add up. That is not racism, it is psychological warfare. The fact that someone can take your history and present it back to you as their history; amazes me. The sad part is this feat can only be done if you don’t know your history. And the truth is; there is a lot of apathy and ignorance among Black people concerning these topics.
The significance of David as it pertains to the believer of the word of Jesus is vital. Because Jesus said upon his return, he will sit and judge on the throne of his father David. (Luke 1:32) But even if you don’t believe in the Bible, the image of a Black person associated with the title King, Prophet, or God is powerful. And the deliberate dismissal of those rightful titles as it pertains to our ancestors is devastating. In my opinion, instead of boycotting the Oscars, there should be a boycott of these fraudulent characters on the screen. And if that extreme is not the answer, then we should at least tell the truth.
What I advise, is for everyone to check out the wonderful Black History lesson told by The Israel of God out of Riverdale Illinois. They have an annual series during the month of February called Black History Told by the Prophets. If you go to their website, you might be able to get a copy of the series.