Jeroboam's Wife

Much has been written about prominent women of biblical history like Sarah, Ruth, and Esther. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the obscure women of the Old Testament whose words are not recorded in the Bible and some of whom aren't even named. Yet often these less prominent women played important roles in shaping the unfolding of God's plan. Indeed, the appearance of such obscure women sometimes signals the emergence of some great event. More than that, these lesser-known women, frequently faced with seemingly impossible circumstances, modeled unflinching integrity and moral courage. In Jeroboam's Wife, Robin Gallaher Branch introduces us to seven of these obscure yet notable biblical women. By examining their historical and cultural settings with scholarly care and penetrating insight, she brings these women out of their obscurity and highlights both their unique challenges and their indelible contributions. By interacting with contemporary biblical, social, and psychological scholarship, she presents ancient biblical history in fresh and relevant ways. Thoughtful questions for personal reflection or group discussion guide contemporary readers to ponder the deeper significance of these women's contributions and to reflect on points of personal application.