There is some debate as to whether the book of Esther is historical, or possibly written as a play or allegory. Haman’s seventy-five foot gallows, the difficulty in establishing which king—and more notably, which queen—Esther’s story describes, and the depiction of a few unlikely scenes such as a massive, three-day civil war which is completely … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Esther
HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Huldah
Have you ever even heard of Huldah?I bet not!Most timelines for the history of ancient Israel place prophets alongside the kings they advised. Even prophets without their own books, such as the prophet Nathan who counseled King David, are listed. But as much as I look for her, I have yet to see the prophet … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Huldah
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HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Jezebel
Just the word “jezebel” evokes a whole evil, erotic, seductive mystique, doesn’t it? I looked “jezebel” up in the dictionary, and here’s what Webster-Merriam has to say: “an impudent, shameless, or morally unrestrained woman.” According to other definitions, A jezebel is a wicked, evil, scheming female who is manipulates her victims into giving her wealth, … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Jezebel
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HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Bathsheba
Bathsheba had grown up admiring the handsome, charismatic king David. It had been an exhilarating time in Israel’s history, and her dad Eliam, one of David’s might men, had been all wrapped up in the thick of it, close with David ever since the young shepherd had been on the lam, running from King Saul. … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Bathsheba
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HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Abigail
Abigail’s story begins during a traditionally joyful time, the sheep shearing festival. Many guests had gathered, and there was much feasting. Abigail was well-known for her gracious hospitality, and all the tables were generously supplied. As the celebration wore into the evening, ten plainly dressed men entered the pavilion and came to address Nabal. Would … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Abigail
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HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Michal
Embedded within the story of David, Israel’s most beloved king, and of whom the Lord said was a man after God’s own heart, is the tragic story of Michal, a Benjamite princess and daughter of king Saul. Her story begins in Late Bronze Age Canaan. The twelve tribes of Israel were still in the throes … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, Michal
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HER STORY: Kings and Queens, The Witch of Endor
Probably the main point of the story, and why it was included in King Saul’s narrative, is to show how truly far he had sunken. At one point, King Saul is depicted in a dead faint of hunger, weakness, and terror, with the Witch of Endor stooping over him urging him to get up and … Continue reading HER STORY: Kings and Queens, The Witch of Endor
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HER STORY: The Birth of Christ, Anna the Prophet
How long have you been waiting for the longing you have been praying about to be fulfilled? A longing you have felt certain God has invited you to pray about, that you feel certain God has indicated will be fulfilled? Anna's story can be told in three stages: There was tragedy early in her life, … Continue reading HER STORY: The Birth of Christ, Anna the Prophet
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HER STORY: The Birth of Christ, The Midwife
She is an imagined character, but she was surely there, a midwife to help the young Mary give birth to her first baby. What if the midwife was local to Bethlehem? What if she had already helped the aging Elizabeth give birth to her one and only child? Even though the character is imagined, there … Continue reading HER STORY: The Birth of Christ, The Midwife
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HER STORY: The Birth of Christ, Virgin Mary
As the most written about woman in the whole Bible, what is your impression of Mary? There are thousands upon thousands of images of her, the beatific and holy Madonna, mother and child, otherworldly in her serenity; and the grieving mother holding her crucified son, again beatific, serene, otherworldly.We might get the impression that as … Continue reading HER STORY: The Birth of Christ, Virgin Mary
