Jonathan is the son of King Saul and next in line to the throne. Though Saul’s plan is for Jonathan to succeed him, Jonathan sees God’s perspective instead. The heir apparent realizes that David is to be the next king and not him. Jonathan accepts this. Though there could be animosity between Jonathan and David, […]
Some time later, we encounter Samuel. Those who grew up hearing Bible stories may remember the account of young Samuel. He is the son of Elkanah and Hannah. His mother takes him to live at the temple and help Eli, the priest. Each year she visits him and gives him a little robe to wear. […]
Boaz is a wealthy farmer living in Judah. He was a close relative of Elimelek. Boaz is also a respected man, well known for his integrity. When Ruth goes out to glean the grain the harvesters missed, she ends up in one of Boaz’s fields. He knows her by reputation, but this is the first […]
During the time of the judges, we come across a man named Elimelek. Scripture tells us little about him, covering his story in a scant three verses. He’s married to Naomi, and they have two sons. They live in Bethlehem, which is part of Judah. There’s a famine, so they head off to Moab. There […]
Another judge is Samson. His story begins even before his birth. An angel appears to a childless woman and tells her she’ll become pregnant and have a son. The angel says the boy will be dedicated to God, even before he is born. He then gives the woman special dietary expectations. Though we may assume […]
Gideon is an interesting judge. The Bible gives us three chapters about key events in his life. Some of what he does inspires us and provides an example to follow. Yet he does other things we should certainly avoid. But aren’t we all like that, with both strengths and weaknesses? In our first story Gideon […]
God gives the prophetess Deborah a message for Barak. God wants him to raise a troop of 10,000 and confront the better-equipped army led by Sisera. God promises to give Barak the victory. But Barak balks. Barak is the son of Abinoam. He lives in Kedesh in the territory of Naphtali in Israel. That’s all […]
Balaam son of Beor practices divination. His work must be of some renown, for when Balak seeks a supernatural edge over the approaching Hebrew people, he sends for Balaam to proclaim curses against the Israelites. God tells Balaam not to go and he doesn’t. We affirm him for doing what God said. But Balak persists […]
Because of the people’s lack of faith, God turns them away from the promised land. They spend forty years in the desert, one year for each day the spies were on their mission. Four decades later, they finally prepare to conquer the nations before them under the leadership of Moses and then Joshua. Balak son […]
Joshua son of Nun serves Moses, first as an aide and later as his protégé, before he eventually succeeds him. Joshua is first known as Hoshea, but Moses gives him the name of Joshua. Though there’s much to examine in Joshua’s life, let’s focus on a few significant moments. The young apprentice witnesses his mentor’s […]