Inspiration from 9 Lesser-Known Men & Women of the Bible

God has worked in the lives of fellow human beings throughout history. Be inspired by the lives of these lesser-known Bible characters – five men and four women recorded in the Old and New Testaments whose faith and relationship with God are examples for our own lives today.

Bezalel and Ohollab
Exodus 35:30–35

These names sound strange and unfamiliar. Yet, much can be learned from their lives and about the Holy Spirit in the few verses where Bezalel and Oholiab are mentioned.

God chose Bezalel, filled him with the Spirit of God, and gave him numerous gifts to use in crafting the tabernacle and all that was in it: the ark, the sacred garments for the priests to wear, the altar for sacrifices, and many other holy articles. Oholiab was given similar knowledge and gifts, and they both were given the gift of teaching so they could train others to create all that was required.

While today believers in Jesus have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, during Old Testament times, God would give the Spirit for a time and purpose to those he chose. These men were chosen by God and given the Spirit which brought them wisdom, the skills to create all that was needed for the tabernacle, as well as the ability to teach others needed skills.

Abigail
1 Samuel 25:2–42

Abigail’s story reveals character which is remarkable today. But for the time in which she lived, she was like a superwoman. Abigail convinced David—who would one day be the king of Israel—to change his mind about killing her husband (a foolish and wicked man named Nabal) and all the males of the household.

As David and his band of 400 men rode to attack Nabal and his estate, Abigail bravely rode out to them. She got off her donkey, put her face to the ground, and begged David for forgiveness, asking him not to avenge himself and get blood on his hands before he became king. She brought him a large feast—what Nabal should graciously have given David to begin with. David accepted the food and told her to go home in peace. When David heard that Nabal died a few days later, he asked Abigail to marry him.

At that time in history, women had little control of their own lives. Fathers could give away their daughters or sell them into a marriage they did not want. Yet, Abigail rode up to a king-to-be and 400 armed men who were prepared to go into battle in moments. Her plan was quick, decisive, bold, and wise! Her courage was as great as every warrior coming toward her, and maybe greater. They had horses and weapons. She had only food and her donkey. But she became a wife of David who became king.

Huldah
2 Chronicles 34:14–33

When the priest Hilkiah found the lost book of the law of Moses, the book was brought to King Josiah and it was read to him. When the king learned of all the things that were not being done properly, he tore his clothes (a sign of deep grief), wept, and sent his priest to inquire of God. Huldah must have been known as a true prophet of God because she was asked to help.

Huldah inquired of God, and God spoke to her. God said he would bring disaster on Judah and its people, to those who burned incense to other gods. Huldah also told them God said because Josiah’s heart was so responsive and he humbled himself, God would not cause the terrible destruction of Israel until after Josiah’s death. Josiah then celebrated the holy Passover just as the book said it should be celebrated.

While there are many more men mentioned in the Bible than women due to the culture of those times, many women were godly, wise, and gifted, like Huldah, a respected prophet of her time.

Micah
Micah 7:7–20

God showed the prophet Micah future events about Israel and Judah. Micah understood that social injustices such as cheating neighbors or making widows homeless revealed the corrupt hearts of God’s people. The people were not loving God and showing mercy. Later they began worshiping foreign gods. God’s judgment would come.

The Babylonians invaded Judah, and the Assyrians invaded Israel. Many citizens were taken to foreign lands to suffer and die. But God saved a remnant of his people just as Micah had prophesied.

Speaking the truth when the truth is devastating is not an easy job. But Micah also let his people know that when the invasion came, even then, there was hope. “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). Micah told his people if they did not have a change of heart, there would be disaster, but still, not to lose hope.

“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy” (Micah 7:18).

A Canaanite Woman
Matthew 15:21–28

Like many women in the Bible, this woman is unnamed—known only as the Canaanite woman. She came to Jesus when he was north of Galilee near Tyre, likely close to her home. She cried out to him, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly” (Matthew 15:22). Jesus ignored her. His disciples urged him to send her away.

Jesus finally replied he’d been “sent only to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). The woman knelt before him and implored him, “Lord, help me!” (Matthew 15:25).

Jesus sounds harsh at first. But notice, she first addressed Jesus as Lord, Son of David. She was not a Jew and therefore had no standing to appeal to Jesus as the Son of David. She apparently understood that from his reply to her, as she then addressed him as Lord. Again, he refused. Yet, she boldly addressed him as Lord again, and presented her own argument for his mercy of healing.

This time he replied, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted” (Matthew 15:28). The woman’s daughter was healed immediately. This desperate mother was persistent, and because of her deep faith, Jesus responded in loving mercy.

Stephen
Acts 6:8–15; 7:54–60

Stephen is described as “full of God’s grace and power” (Acts 7:8). Men from a synagogue argued with him, but he was filled with wisdom from the Holy Spirit; they couldn’t win. They decided to make up lies about him and found witnesses to confirm them. They took Stephen to the Sanhedrin (the Jewish political and religious council), but those men “saw that his face was like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). He told the history of the Jews to the Sanhedrin through the life and death of Jesus at the hands of his countrymen.

The religious men were furious. Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit and looked up into the heavens, seeing Jesus standing at God’s right hand. When he shared this, the men were filled with rage and dragged him out of the city. They began throwing stones at Stephen to kill him. Stephen asked Jesus to receive his spirit, and like Jesus, he asked the Lord not to hold this sin against those who were killing him.

The image of Stephen is so pure, yet evil men put him to death over lies and false witnesses, just as had been done to Jesus. We don’t expect such a good man to meet such an evil end. But Stephen saw both God and Jesus in heaven, and he went to them.

Tabitha (also known as Dorcas)
Acts 9:36–43

Tabitha is the only woman in the Bible who is explicitly called a disciple. This tells us she had a significant ministry and was much more than a kind woman. She helped the poor but also had a special outreach to the widows of Joppa by making clothing for them. She was known for her generous and loving spirit.

Peter was ministering in Lydda, not far from Joppa. When the believers heard about Tabitha’s death, they sent messengers to Peter, urging him to go quickly to Tabitha. He was taken upstairs where Tabitha’s body lay. The widows were standing in the room, weeping. As Peter entered the room, they all showed him the clothing made for them by Tabitha. Peter asked them all to leave the room. He got on his knees and prayed. Then he spoke, “Tabitha, get up” (Acts 9:40).

Her eyes opened. She saw Peter and sat up. After helping her up, Peter called to the widows and other believers and presented her to them alive. It is especially significant in those times for a woman to be recognized by the other believers as being notable in her ministry and character. Her work renewed the widows’ sense of value after losing their roles as wives. She gave them love and self-esteem. Peter raised her to life again, allowing her to continue her works of love in Jesus’ name.

Barnabas
Acts 13:1–12

Barnabas appears in several passages, each telling pieces of his story and character. His name reveals something special about him. His original name was Joseph, but while a missionary, he was given the name Barnabas, which means “son of encouragement.” Barnabas was an early believer who became a disciple, and he was an encourager to those around him (see Acts 4:36).

In this passage, Barnabas had just returned from a mission trip with Saul. While they were worshiping God and fasting in Antioch, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 4:2). The two set out to Cyprus.

As they traveled and taught, they came upon a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an aide to the governor, Sergius Paulus. The governor sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to learn about God, but his aide was against it and tried to prevent it.

Saul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at him and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! . . . Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time” (Acts 4:10–11). And he went completely blind. Sergius Paulus was amazed and believed the teaching of Barnabas and Saul. Barnabas continued encouraging others as he shared about Jesus.

Drawn from the NIV Teen Study Bible.