ABOUT OLD TESTAMENT PEOPLE (13)

1. Important people in the Old Testament

a) Rahab

i) Harlot who received and assisted spies sent by Joshua to spy out Jericho (Joshua 2). Mentioned in the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).

b) Rebekah

i) Wife of Isaac who was healed of being barren after her and her husband prayed to God. Gave birth to twins Esau and Jacob.

c) Rehoboam

i) King Solomon's son whose unwillingness to lighten the heavy tax burden imposed by his father (1Kings 12) helped Israel split into two distinct kingdoms. Ruled over the newly-separated Kingdom of Judah (tribes of Judah, Benjamin and priestly tribe of Levi) from 930-917 B.C.

d) Reuben

i) Firstborn of Jacob through Leah. Because he committed adultery with Jacob's wife Bilhah Jacob cursed him. He was deprived of his birthright, which Jacob gave to the sons of Joseph.

e) Ruth

i) Non-Israelite woman who, after becoming a widow, went to Bethlehem with mother-in-law Naomi. Meet Boaz, her future husband, while gleaning from his field (Ruth 2). Became Great-grandmother of King David (Ruth 4).

f) Samuel

i) Prophet who was miraculously born when God healed mother of barrenness. Dedicated to serving God before birth (1Samuel 1). Anointed both Saul and David as Kings. Served 32 years as the last sole Judge of Israel.

g) Samson

i) Helped free Israel of Philistine oppression. Possessed miraculous strength symbolized by his hair. Revealed to Delilah the secret of his strength. Gave his life to overcoming Philistines. Served as Israel's judge for 20 years.