Tag: Biblical Characters

Biblical People: The Wives of Solomon

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 24, 2021

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, isn’t so smart when it comes to his love life. In all, he amasses seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines.

Even worse, many of his wives are foreigners, something God prohibits because he fears they will distract his people from fully worshiping him. Unfortunately, just as God predicted, Solomon’s foreign-born wives lead him astray and cause him to turn from God later in his life.

These women have no say in their marriage to the king or in being used as a means for his sexual gratification. They represent a political alliance or serve as a means for wanton indulgence, not love in a committed relationship.

For some women the same is true today, and we must fight for their rights. Others have a say in who they marry. They should choose wisely.

Are we willing to trust God with our life partner?

[Discover more about Solomon’s many wives in Exodus 34:16, 1 Kings 4:29–31, and 1 Kings 11:1–13.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

Tags Biblical Characters, The Wives of Solomon

Biblical People

Biblical People: The Woman of Proverbs 31

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 24, 2021

The book of Proverbs ends with a poem about a woman of noble character. Though she may be a real person, this passage reads more like an idealized ode to a wife of mythical proportions.

Regardless, she is one busy lady, and I get tired just reading about all she does. She cares for her husband and provides for her family, she works hard with her hands and stays up late, she is an entrepreneur who turns a profit, and she even has time to help the poor. Because of her, her husband enjoys respect.

Her children bless her, and her husband praises her. She’s esteemed for her character, dignity, strength, and wisdom. She receives honor and praise. Besides all this, she’s beautiful and charming, but she doesn’t concern herself with these temporary traits.

Instead, she focuses on something lasting: her relationship with God. She reverences him, having a holy respect for who he is. Today we might understand this as a genuine love for God. Despite being busier than I can imagine, she still has time for her Lord. Think about it.

While many people look in disbelief at what this woman does, they miss the main point. Our focus should be on who she is: a godly woman who makes God a priority.

Do we give God first place in our lives?

[Discover more about this remarkable woman in Proverbs 31:10–31.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: The Shulammite Woman

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 24, 2021

The Song of Songs records the delightful dalliance of two lovers, madly passionate for one another. They long to be together, inhaling each other’s scent, enjoying each other’s embrace, cuddling—and more—in each other’s bed. Nothing and no one will keep them apart.

Their account, reminiscent of a screenplay, records only dialogue. It features the beloved, played by a captivating, but unnamed, Shulammite woman, and her lover, played by King Solomon.

Though noted for his many wives and concubines, none compares to the alluring lass from Shulam.

A careful reading of the story uncovers some provocative, poetic euphemisms for the sexual intimacy the two lovers desire. Some portions border on high-class erotica. Yet the Bible includes these passages for us to read.

How has society skewed our understanding of passion? What is God’s plan for sex and pleasure? Do we need to change our perspective?

[Discover more about the woman from Shulam in Song of Songs.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Two Prostitutes

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 24, 2021

Two prostitutes share a house. They each get pregnant. First one gives birth, and three days later, the other has a child. Both babies are boys.

One night the unthinkable happens. In her sleep, the second woman rolls on top of her son and he dies. When she realizes what she did, she switches babies and goes back to bed as though nothing happened.

When the first woman goes to nurse her son, she finds he is dead, but in the morning light she realizes it isn’t her baby. Her son is in the arms of the other woman. But the second woman claims it’s all a lie, that the living son is, in fact, hers.

The pair comes before King Solomon, seeking his intervention. Each one claims the living baby is hers, and insists the dead child belongs to the other woman. They argue with each other in front of the king.

Solomon says the solution is simple. Cut the living baby in two and give half to each woman.

The second woman, the one who is lying, says this is fine. She reasons that this way neither of them will have him.

But the first woman, the true mom, shows her love for her boy. She says not to cut him in half, to give the boy to the other woman. She wants him to live, even if it means having another woman raise him.

Solomon realizes the first woman is the true mother and gives her the child. His ruse works, allowing him to discern the truth.

Are we willing to give up the people we love the most if it’s in their best interest?

[Discover more about these two women in 1 Kings 3:16–28.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Tamar (3)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 24, 2021

Tamar is the daughter of Absalom. She is most beautiful. That’s all we know about her. She’s likely named after her aunt Tamar, her father’s sister who was raped by her uncle Amnon and taken in by her dad, where she lived the rest of her life in desolation.

By sharing her aunt’s name, Absalom’s daughter Tamar is linked forever to the tragedy that befell her aunt. Like Tamar, our name may be in memory of someone else, which may or may not have positive implications.

However, our name, what it means, or who it’s connected to, need not dictate our future. We can shed any implications and pursue our own path.

How can we live our own life, regardless of the labels people give us?

[Discover more about Tamar in 2 Samuel 14:27, along with 2 Samuel 13:1–20.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: The Wise Woman from Tekoa

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 20, 2021

Joab seeks an object lesson for King David to encourage him to reconcile with his estranged son, Absalom. Joab sends for a wise woman from Tekoa and coaches her what to say to the king.

The story she skillfully shares with the king—of how one son killed the other and is now on the run—is a ruse. Claiming that her surviving son is being sought for murder, she seeks the king’s protection. Her pretend story parallels David’s real life situation of Absalom killing Amon and then fleeing to another country.

With increasing urgency, three times she asks for David’s support. Three times he promises his protection, each time with increased fervency.

Then, with boldness, she connects her story to King David’s, asking him to follow his own advice and apply it to his estranged son. David suspects Joab’s hand in this and tells Joab to arrange for Absalom’s return.

Playing her part brilliantly, the wise woman from Tekoa sets in motion the homecoming of Absalom. Thanks to her, Joab’s plan works.

With tact and intelligence, we can influence those in leadership. What should we give our voice to?

[Discover more about the wise woman from Tekoa in 2 Samuel 14:1–20.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Bathsheba

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 20, 2021

Bathsheba, a beautiful woman, is married to Uriah. Despite being a foreigner, Uriah is loyal to the nation of Israel, King David, and God. He is an honorable man, who is off fighting in David’s army.

Back home, David, from his palace rooftop vantage, sees Bathsheba bathing. Both are at fault. David shouldn’t have been looking, and Bathsheba should have been more discrete. David summons her, so he can sleep with her.

If she does so willingly, that makes her an adulteress and David, an adulterer. If she goes because it’s unwise to say “No” to a sovereign king, then David, in effect, rapes her.

Regardless, she becomes pregnant.

To cover up their tryst, David calls Uriah back from the front lines. After two failed attempts to send Uriah home to the arms of his wife, David resorts to plan B. He develops a battle strategy to bring about Uriah’s death.

Uriah unwittingly carries that plan with him when he returns to the front lines. He dies, just as David planned. Bathsheba mourns her husband’s death. Then David marries her.Later, Nathan confronts David for his actions.

Once exposed, David acknowledges his mistakes—adultery and murder—and seeks God. However, their love child becomes sick and dies. Later David and Bathsheba have Solomon. Solomon eventually becomes king, just as David promised Bathsheba. Centuries later, Jesus is born.

He is David and Bathsheba’s direct descendant, through Solomon.

Every pregnancy, whether planned, unplanned, consensual, or forced, carries life and all the potential that life holds.

What can we do to help those with unplanned or unwanted pregnancies?

[Discover more about Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11–12, 1 Kings 1:11–31, Psalm 51, and Matthew 1:6.]

Tags Bathsheba, Biblical Characters

Biblical People

Biblical People: Tamar (2)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 20, 2021

The story of Tamar is a tragic one. The beautiful daughter of King David catches the eye of her half brother, Amnon, who lusts for her. At the advice of his cousin, Amnon feigns illness and manipulates Tamar into his bedroom, duping David into innocently arranging the whole thing.

Once alone, Amnon grabs and solicits Tamar. Three times she refuses. When her pleading isn’t enough to stop him, she talks about the implications: her disgrace and him appearing as foolish and wicked.

In desperation, she even suggests they ask Dad for permission to marry. But Amnon refuses to listen. Lust drives him. He loses control and rapes her.

After this, his supposed love for her turns to an even more intense hate. When he commands her to leave, Tamar refuses, saying that kicking her out would be an even greater insult. Amnon has her forcibly removed from his presence.

Tamar, a victim of rape, goes to live in desolation with her brother Absalom.

Is there something we can do to help the victims in our world? Caring for even one person will make a difference.

[Discover more about Tamar in 2 Samuel 13:1–22.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: Jezebel (1)

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 19, 2021

Ahab, perhaps Israel’s evilest king ever, marries Jezebel, daughter of a foreign ruler. Under her depraved influence, Ahab starts worshiping her gods, instead of the true God. Jezebel hunts down and kills God’s prophets, while she provides sanctuary for hundreds of the prophets of Baal and Asherah.

God’s prophet Elijah has a public smackdown with the prophets of Baal and Asherah that results in him killing them all. In retaliation, Jezebel threatens to likewise kill Elijah. While he’s on the run, Jezebel adds to her crimes by orchestrating an innocent man’s death to seize his vineyard for her husband.

Eventually, Jezebel suffers a gruesome death, just as prophesied.

Though evil people sometimes seem to suffer no consequences for their foul behavior, God’s judgment ultimately prevails.

How do we react when confronted with evil?

[Discover more about Jezebel in 1 Kings 16:31, 1 Kings 18:4–19, 1 Kings 19:1–2, 1 Kings 21:5–24, and 2 Kings 9:7–37.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

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Biblical People

Biblical People: The Medium of Endor

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 19, 2021

The prophet Samuel is dead. God has abandoned King Saul, and he is losing his grip on power. Saul prays, but God is silent. None of the ways Saul has heard from God in the past are working now. In desperation, he seeks a medium.

In his better days as God’s king, Saul expelled all the mediums and spiritualists from the country. Now he wants one. It’s his last option for supernatural guidance. His aids tell him there is a medium in Endor.

In disguise, Saul seeks her out. She is cautious, fearing execution if her skills become known. He persists, promising safety.

She relents. Saul asks her to conjure up the spirit of Samuel. She does, and then realizes who Saul is. She screams at him over his deception, but he urges her to proceed.

For Samuel’s part, he’s not pleased at having his existence in the afterlife disturbed. Samuel confirms it’s too late for Saul. God has left him for good. Furthermore, Samuel says the next day Saul and his sons will die in battle. The nation will be lost.

Saul is distraught, losing what little hope he has left. The medium of Endor urges him to eat, and she prepares a meal for him. Then Saul leaves.

Not all that’s spiritual is good. When our prayers seem to go nowhere, do we keep our focus on God or seek ungodly alternatives?

[Discover more about the medium of Endor in 1 Samuel 28:3–25.]

Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in audiobook, e-book, paperback, and hardcover.

Tags Biblical Characters, Medium of Endor