Naaman His name means: “Pleasantness” His work: Naaman was the commander of Syria’s army. His character: A brave man lauded for his military victories, his position would have guaranteed considerable respect in both Syria (known as Aram) and Israel. He would have been accustomed to getting his way, especially withRead More …

Elisha His name means: “My God Saves” His work: Elisha was Elijah’s successor. A prophet and miracle worker active in the northern kingdom from 850-800 BC, his ministry involved rebuking Israel’s unfaithful kings, inaugurating a new royal line, and helping to sustain the faith of all those in Israel whoRead More …

Elijah His name means: “Yahweh Is My God” His work: Elijah was a prophet active in Israel in the middle of the ninth century BC. His primary work was to combat Baal worship and restore the worship of the true God of Israel. His character: Like Moses, who stood againstRead More …

Solomon His name means: “Peaceable” His work: The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was the third king of Israel. His character: Known until this day as the wisest man who ever lived. His sorrow: Although he was an extremely intelligent man, later in his life he became disobedientRead More …

Absalom His name means: “Father Is Peace” His work: David’s third son, Absalom, was a brilliant military and political strategist. His character: Absalom’s remarkable assets of good looks and diplomacy became great liabilities, leading to his untimely death. His sorrow: When Absalom’s sister was raped by his oldest half brother,Read More …

Nathan His name means: “He [God] Has Given” His work: He was a prophet in Israel during the reign of King David and the early years of King Solomon. His character: Nathan was a fearless man whose obedience to God’s voice put him nose to nose with the most powerfulRead More …

Mephibosheth His name means: “From the Mouth of the Shameful Thing” His work: Nothing is said about his occupation; because he lived his life without the use of his legs, Mephibosheth must have lived on the charity of others. His character: Although he had good reason for self-pity, he wasRead More …

Jonathan His name means: “Yahweh Has Given” His work: The firstborn son of King Saul, Jonathan was a capable warrior and military strategist. His character: Jonathan demonstrated remarkable capabilities for friendship, selflessness, and loyalty. His sorrow: Although the rightful heir to the throne of Israel, Jonathan never became king. HeRead More …

David His name may mean: “Beloved” His work: A shepherd by trade, David became the second king of Israel. His character: A man of stark contrasts, David was a man who did nothing halfheartedly. Though he sinned terribly, his repentance was deep and lasting. Scripture refers to him as “aRead More …

Saul His name means: “The One Asked For, Requested” His work: As Israel’s first king, his role was to unite the tribes of Israel against their enemies and to begin the process of establishing Israel as a monarchy. His character: Though his reign began well, Saul failed to live upRead More …