Good Example Of Accounts Of King David Essay
How does the film compare to the biblical account of the story? Why do you think the filmmakers made the changes that they did?
Most films depiction of the famous historical story of David in battle against Goliath is often inconsistent with the Bible version. The film Dave and the Giant Pickle, for instance, focuses on particular parts of the story giving more emphasis and detail (often exaggerated and, for this reason, inaccurate information) to preferred scenes. It portrays Goliath as monster rather than muscled and trained 7foot champion soldier according to the Bible.
The filmmakers intention to create an exciting film filled with violence and a traditional villain and a heroic character like other new-age movies is one reason they distort Bible stories. Although they entertain children and make them interested and familiar to Bible stories, ignoring the minor distorted details gives the wrong impression as well as eliminates the truth. In the animation film Dave and the Giant Pickle Veggie Tales, the directors seem to focus on emphasizing on the positive trait of self-esteem. The film's main moral lesson of the story is obtaining self-esteem and confidence basing on young David's story. The Bible, on the other hand, exposes weaknesses as well as the successes of characters in the stories.
Atheism and multi-religiousness may also attribute to interference with the supernatural events as recorded in the Bible. In addition, the filmmakers, in intending to sell their product to as many people as possible regardless of their beliefs, may decide to ignore some details in the stories. They, for this reason, settle for a story acceptable to the masses across the main religious groups in the world.
Compare the story in the Bible to at least two other perspectives on the story in the readings (the Quran, the Jewish Midrash or sermon, the Muslim perspectives, or the Kugel essay from last class's readings). What similarities and differences do you see?
The Quran's record of David's story is shallow and non-specific. It does not offer detail about the event of the famous day that made David the most popular person in the nation after the victory. It instead focuses on the then King Saul as God's undisputed chosen of Allah and, for this reason, the rightful person to receive praise for the victory.
The ancient Jewish Midrash, on the other hand, gives more detail than the Bible. In the Jewish Midrash Tehillim 144, David is an extremely humble person in contrast to the proud and arrogant Saul. David is also God-fearing, who attributes his successes to the Lord, God of Israel. It barely mentions the positive character of Saul.
All records (the Quran, Midrash and the Bible) give credit for the victory of the war to the Almighty God. They also enhance the importance of courage and complete trust in God during challenge. They portray David as a humble servant who defends his faith at the highest possible cost. However, of the three, the Bible is the most balanced as it gives fair record of both remarkable leaders.
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