Jephthah’s story is found in Judges 11—a chapter that begins not with triumph, but with rejection. “Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior,” the Bible tells us, “but his father was Gilead and his mother was a prostitute.” (Judges 11:1) From the start, Jephthah was marked as an outsider. He was the child no one wanted to claim. His half-brothers, born to Gilead’s wife, drove him away: “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,” they said.

Onesimus’s story is found in one of the shortest, most personal letters in the New Testament: Paul’s letter to Philemon. In the Roman world, Onesimus was just another slave—a face in the crowd, a name on a ledger, someone with no rights and little hope for the future. But his story is one of transformation, courage, and the breaking of chains—both physical and spiritual.

Mary Magdalene. Her name echoes through the Gospels, often shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. For centuries, artists and preachers have speculated about her past, but the Bible gives us a clear, powerful picture: Mary was a woman who lived in the shadows—unseen, tormented, and outcast. Yet, she became one of the most faithful followers of Jesus and the first witness to His resurrection.

Abigail’s story, found in 1 Samuel 25, is a powerful account of courage, loyalty, and the quiet strength that can change the course of a household—and even a nation. She is not as famous as Esther or Ruth, but her influence is undeniable. Abigail’s journey is one of navigating the complexities of marriage, disappointment, and the calling to be a protector of her husband’s heart.

Jairus—a father’s courage and the power of unconventional love in the Bible

When we open the book of Joshua, the Israelites stand on the edge of their promised land, ready to take the city of Jericho. But Jericho is not just a city of walls and warriors—it’s a city of secrets, shadows, and stories. One of those stories belongs to a woman named Rahab.

Jael in the Bible is a story that often goes untold, yet her courage and faith have inspired believers for centuries. She’s not a queen, not a prophetess, not even an Israelite. Yet, her story in Judges 4–5 is one of the most surprising and controversial in the entire Bible.