There are a few stories in the Bible about women that may surprise you. Though biblical women were often influencing from behind-the-scenes, their impact on history has been unforgettable. Their stories span from adventure and drama to romance and redemption. Let’s explore a few of these amazing women.
DEBORAH – Confident & Strong
Deborah is probably my favorite female character in the Bible. She is so cool! We find her story in Judges 4 and 5. She is described as a prophetess who led the people, a woman judge (the only one), and a wise military advisor. She referred to herself as a ‘mother of Israel’ and was destined to change history during a time of war and trouble.
The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel. Judges 5:7 ESV
The Israelites had been oppressed for about 20 years by King Jabin who was protected by his commander Sisera. Together, they caused much distress among the land and the people. That’s when Deborah, inspired by God, moved forward to motivate Barak (the Israelites military leader) to revolt against Sisera.
Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” And she said, “I will surely go with you.” Judges 4:8-9 ESV
The Lord gave Barak’s army favor, and the Israelites were delivered from oppression. Deborah’s strength and determination echo from deep in the past to inspire us thousands of years later.
Read Judges 4 and 5 to learn more about Deborah (and another surprising female character, Jael).
THE SHREWD WOMAN – Wise & Perceptive
Did you know that a lady threw a man’s head over her city wall to save her town? Joab, King David’s military leader, was pursuing one of the king’s enemies (Sheba) who just happened to be hiding in this lady’s city. But little did Sheba know that a fearless woman was living among the people.
And all the men who were with Joab came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah. They cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart, and they were battering the wall to throw it down. 2 Samuel 20:15 ESV
However, this wise woman (who’s name is unknown) shouts over the wall to negotiate with Joab.
Then she said, “They used to say in former times, ‘Let them but ask counsel at Abel,’ and so they settled a matter. I am one of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. 2 Samuel 20:18-19a ESV
She continues to seek resolution to the situation, unfortunately, it requires a pretty drastic consequence.
“You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?” Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.” 2 Samuel 20:19b-21 ESV
This is one of those stories you don’t really hear much about in church. It is a shocking story, but it also shows the strength and determination of some women in the Old Testament. Notice how the woman uses the same wording we see in Deborah, describing her city as a ‘mother of Israel’? The woman acts as a protector and negotiator of the city and follows through on her promise.
Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the trumpet, and they dispersed from the city, every man to his home. And Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king. 2 Samuel 20:22
Because of the determination of this brave woman, the city was saved.
For more information about this story, read 2 Samuel 20.
ESTHER – Brave & Prudent
Esther was an orphan who was raised by her cousin, Mordecai. She was a Jewish woman, whose real name was Hadassah. She was recruited into the palace for an ancient-type beauty pageant in order to determine the next queen. Initially, Mordecai had instructed her to not reveal her Jewish identity. Her character and beauty were quickly recognized by King Ahasuerus and she was crowned the next queen. However, this fairytale took an unexpected turn when the King’s military advisor, Haman, persuaded the King to sign a cruel death decree against the Jewish people.
Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them. If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed… Esther 3:8-9 ESV
Esther was then put in the very difficult position of possibly losing everything and risking her own life at the chance to save her people. Thankfully, she stepped out in courage. God had placed her in the perfect time and perfect place to do so. Mordecai makes this pivotal statement to Esther while she was wrestling with her commitment:
“Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14 ESV
Because of Esther’s bold courage to stand up for her people, the Jewish people were saved and redeemed.
To learn more about Esther, read the entire book of Esther in the Bible!
THE DEFENDER – Fearless & Swift
Did you know that another unnamed Old Testament lady saved her townspeople by throwing a rock on someone’s head? This is a disaster kind-of-story that you want to look away but can’t! In a nutshell, there was a guy named Abimelech who really wanted to be king. He was the son of Gideon (who they refer to as Jerubbaal in this story). Well Gideon had a LOT of sons, like 70. And since Abimelech wanted to be in charge he conspired with some ‘worthless fellows’ and had all of his brothers killed (well except one).
And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him. And he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. Judges 9:4-5 ESV
After this atrocity, the only surviving youngest brother, Jotham, went to the top of Mount Gerizim and shouts to his brother a parable about trees and his no-good followers.
Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’ And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’ Judges 9:14-15 ESV
Bramble doesn’t offer shade like trees do and it doesn’t bear any fruit either. In fact, the only thing bramble is good for is for burning. But Abimelech isn’t fazed by this metaphor and began ransacking nearby cities, continuing on toward the town of Thebez. The people of the town tried to hide together in a strong tower. But Abimelech and his pillagers decide to set the tower on fire.
And Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. And a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” And his young man thrust him through, and he died. And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone departed to his home. Judges 9:52-55
This woman acted quickly and as a result saved the tower of people, and many more cities, from perishing.
Read the complete story in Judges 9.
RUTH – Loyal & Faithful
Ruth was a Moabite woman who married into a Jewish family, around the time of the book of Judges (1200 and 1050 B.C.). Moabites weren’t exactly accepted by God’s people because of their contrary beliefs. However, Ruth was exceptional and deeply loved her mother-in-law, Naomi. Tragedy struck their household which took the lives of her father-in-law, her own husband and her brother-in-law leaving the women with an unstable future in their culture.
Naomi decided to return to her home country, Bethlehem, and tells the girls to return to their family homes. However, Ruth clung to Naomi and refused to leave her. She loyally follows her all the way to her hometown.
Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Ruth 1:14-16 ESV
When they arrived in Bethlehem, Ruth works a nearby field looking for grain, so they can survive. She just so happens to glean in the fields of Boaz, a kind man and relative of Naomi. She is quickly noticed by Boaz for her loyalty to Naomi and her perseverance through difficulty. Since Boaz is a relative, he can redeem Naomi’s family line and heritage through Ruth. Arrangements are made for marriage and the rest is history, literally. Did you know that Ruth’s child Obed is in the genealogy of David who is the bloodline of Jesus?
Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron, Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab, Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David. Ruth 4:18-21
Ruth’s faithfulness and strength are still an inspiration for us today. Her loyalty and kindness saved her family line and made history.
To learn more about this amazing story, read the book of Ruth in the Old Testament.
ARISE MOTHERS
The women of the Bible are extraordinary, and these brief Old Testament stories only begin to reveal the depth of their influence on our history and faith. Their lives call us to walk in strength and courage, standing firm in what is right, trusting that the Lord is with us. This small collection is just a beginning—there are so many more stories to discover in the lives of Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Rahab, Hannah, Miriam, and many others. As you spend time in Scripture each day, may you continue to uncover their wisdom and be encouraged in your own journey of faith.
Be blessed and remember that the Lord desires to meet with you through His Word and in prayer. Seek Him wholeheartedly. Arise, Christian women, and embrace the calling to nurture, uplift, and love others with a mother’s heart, inspiring both those within the family of God and those who have yet to know Him. When we pursue His goodness and walk in His truth, we truly can make a lasting difference in the world.
Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel! Ruth 4:14 ESV
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