OLD TESTAMENT

Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve, known for being a shepherd who offered God the firstborn and best portions of his flock as a sacrifice. God accepted Abel's offering but rejected that of his older brother Cain, which led Cain to kill Abel out of jealousy, making Abel the first murder victim in biblical history.

Aaron, the elder brother of Moses, was an Israelite prophet and the first High Priest of Israel who played a key role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt, acting as Moses' spokesperson before Pharaoh. He was born to the tribe of Levi, assisted Moses during the Exodus, and his descendants continued this leadership lineage.

Abigael was the intelligent and beautiful wife of Nabal, a wealthy but harsh man. When Nabal insulted David and refused to provide supplies, Abigail intervened with wisdom and diplomacy, providing David and his men with provisions to prevent bloodshed. After Nabal's death, she became one of David's wives.

He was born in Ur of the Chaldeans (Mesopotamia) and called by God to leave his homeland and journey to the land of Canaan, where God promised to make him the father of a great nation and bless his descendants as numerous as the stars and the sand.  Abraham is known for his great faith and obedience to God.

Goliath was a giant Philistine warrior from the city of Gath, known for his great size and strength.  He challenged the Israelite army to send out a champion to fight him in single combat, mocking and defying them for 40 days. Young David, trusting in God, faced Goliath with only a sling and stones. When Goliath came toward him, David declared that he fought in the name of the Lord Almighty. David then struck Goliath in the forehead with a stone from his sling, knocking him down, leading to Israel’s victory over the Philistines.

2 Samuel 9

Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul, Israel’s first king. He was left lame as a child when his nurse dropped him while fleeing after his family died in battle. He grew up in obscurity and poverty, far from the royal court. But, years later, King David honored him by restoring Saul’s lands to him and giving him a permanent place at the royal table, fulfilling a promise to Jonathan. Despite his disability, Mephibosheth was shown great kindness because of David’s loyalty to his friend.

Rahab was a Canaanite woman living in the city of Jericho at the time the Israelites were preparing to conquer it. She worked as a prostitute, a role that made her an outsider in her society. Despite her background, Rahab showed remarkable faith and courage when she hid two Israelite spies sent by Joshua to scout Jericho. She helped them escape and, in return, was promised protection for herself and her family during Jericho’s destruction, as long as she marked her house with a scarlet rope.

Naaman’s servant girl was a young Israelite who had been captured during a Syrian raid and brought to serve in the household of Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army. Despite being far from home and living as a captive, she showed compassion and faith. When she learned that Naaman suffered from leprosy, she told Naaman’s wife about the prophet Elisha, saying that he could cure him. Her simple, bold act of speaking up led to Naaman miraculous healing and his recognition of the God of Israel as the one true God.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—originally named Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—were three Jewish men taken captive to Babylon and given new names by King Nebuchadnezzar. They refused to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue and were thrown into a fiery furnaceheated seven times hotter than usual. Miraculously, they were unharmed, and a fourth figure appeared with them in the fire. When they emerged, not even their clothes smelled of smoke. Their faith led the king to praise their God and promote them.