Michal: Runaway Love
1 Samuel 18-19 After reigning as king for some time, King Saul began to feel challenged by a young warrior named David. Saul’s youngest daughter Michal was passionately in love with the warrior David. King Saul saw his daughter’s love for David as a personal opportunity for himself. Saul offered Michal to wed David, but he set a strange condition—David would have to offer a bride price of 100 Philistine foreskins. Since acquiring 100 Philistine foreskins would be an impossible job, Saul thought that David would be killed, therefore being relieved of David’s presence. David saw through Saul’s ploy to have him killed and accepted the challenge anyway. David was…
Leah: The Most Important Love
Genesis 29-31 A man named Jacob fled town to avoid being killed by his brother Esau. On his journey, he stopped at a well and encountered a beautiful young woman named Rachel and fell in love with her. Rachel’s father Laban was willing to let Jacob marry his daughter – on one condition. In exchange for Rachel’s hand in marriage, Jacob had to work seven years of labor in Laban’s fields. Jacob wanted to marry Rachel, so he took the offer. After completing seven years of work, it was time for Jacob and Rachel to be married. Laban hosted a large party to celebrate. After the celebratory feast, Laban covered…
Rachel: Love at First Sight
Genesis 29-31 Rachel was the younger and more beautiful daughter of Rebekah’s brother, Laban. Every afternoon Rachel would go to the well to get water. One afternoon, as Jacob journeyed (to get away from his brother Esau) he stopped at a well to get water, and Rachel was there. When Jacob saw Rachel, he shared with her that they were relatives, and Rachel went to get her father. Excited to meet his sister’s son, Laban ran to greet Jacob. Jacob stayed with Laban’s family for a month and helped with the livestock. During the time they spent together, Jacob had fallen in love with Rachel. “What can I pay you…
Jael: Taking Action Against the Enemy
Judges 4-5 As the Israelite and Canaan armies fought at the foot of Mount Tabor, not one soldier of the evil Canaan army was left alive. As the battle led by Deborah continued, Barak’s men overcame Sisera’s army. Frightened, General Sisera escaped to a nearby camp and came to the tent of his friend, Heber the Kenite. Heber’s wife, Jael, greeted Sisera in a friendly and hospitable manner (as was the custom among the desert people). She invited him into the tent, fed him, and gave him milk to drink. “Come in my lord, come in with me. There is nothing to be afraid of here.” Jael told Sisera. Believing…
Deborah: Born to Lead
Judges 4-5 Deborah was a distinguished and trusted judge in ancient Israel. She was a prophetess, a civic leader, and Godly ruler over the Israelite people. Deborah held court under the Palm Tree of Deborah in the hill country of Ephraim, judging the people’s disputes and helping them with their problems. During Deborah’s rule, the Israelites continuously disobeyed God. Because of their disobedience, God allowed King Jabin of Canaan to oppress the Israelite people. The general of the Canaanite army was named Sisera, and he harshly intimidated the Israelites and struck terror into their hearts. God’s people were being bullied in their own land. Deborah, acting on guidance from God,…
Hannah: Poured Out in Prayer
1 Samuel 1 Hannah was one of two wives to Elkanah, a wealthy man who belonged to a very honorable family. Elkanah and his second wife Peninnah had many children, but Hannah was barren and unable to have children. People in ancient Israel believed that a large family was a blessing from God, and infertility therefore, became a source of inner shame for Hannah. Not being able to have a child weighed like a burden on Hannah, and she became very sad that she was not able to get pregnant with a child of her own. To make matters worse, Peninnah constantly teased and taunted Hannah about not having children.…
Huldah: God’s Messenger
2 Kings 22 King Josiah was eight years old when he became the King of Judah. He was righteous in God’s eyes and always did what was right. In his eighteenth year of rule, King Josiah decided to make repairs on the Lord’s temple. He sent Shaphan (his secretary) and Hilkiah (the high priest), to oversee the counting and distribution of the money and delegate it toward temple repairs. While in the temple, Hilkiah noticed an interesting, yet very special book. “Look what I found here in the temple—The Book of God’s Law.” Hilkiah handed Shaphan the book. When Shaphan reported back to King Josiah, he informed the King about…
