Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives: Rediscovering Some Old Testament Characters

Great Lives From God's Word

by Charles R. Swindoll

Would you rather be a person of significance or a person of prominence?

Think carefully! The answer to that question will shape your entire future.

Pastor, teacher, and beloved author Charles Swindoll says, “Somehow life has taught us poorly. We’re trained to think that the most significant people are star athletes, actors, and musicians—the ones we applaud, those whose autographs we seek, those who have worldly renown.

“They aren’t. Not really.  Most often, the people really worth noting are those who turn a ‘nobody’ into a ‘somebody’ but never receive credit.” What is forgotten far too often is this: Success in God’s kingdom and in the church depends upon faithful people the public rarely knows.

The Old Testament contains numerous fascinating stories of forgotten lives—unsung heroes whose actions, sacrifices, or battles failed to ascribe them worldly renown. These great lives, however, reveal significant people whom God honors in the pages of His Word and, therefore, deserve our serious attention and emulation.

Adino took out eight hundred armed, skilled fighting men with his sword. Eleazar attacked the Philistines by himself for so long that his comrades had to pry his sword out of his grip. Shammah, while his companions ran like scared cats from their enemies, stood his ground—alone—and was victorious.

And yet, did you recall any of their names? They’re not on the rolls of the rich and famous. Still, they are significant.

In this eighth volume of the bestselling Great Lives from God’s Word series, Chuck will examine little-remembered Bible characters and events. He will help you discover biblical principles and practical applications for living so that you can be who you are in God’s estimation . . . a person of true significance.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Theology, Biography, Inspirational, Religion

255 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Charles Swindoll has devoted over four decades to two passions: an unwavering commitment to the practical communication and application of God's Word, and an untiring devotion to seeing lives transformed by God's grace. Chuck graduated magna cum laude from Dallas Theological Seminary and has since been honored with four doctorates. For his teaching on Insight for Living, he has received the Program of the Year award and the Hall of Fame award from the National Religious Broadcasters as well as multiple book awards.

Reviews

[James Frederick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had lots of great things going for it. There were probably 1,000 phrases and tidbits that could easily have been turned into meaningful tweets. I LOVE the premise that God can and DOES take the nobodies of the world and makes them somebodies that speak to us in the Bible (and in life). I was super excited to read this. I guess my biggest issue is that the author took people who I do not think anyone could consider nobodies in Scripture, and he used THEM to make the points he wanted to make. Yes, there are many people in here that most people probably do not remember from the Bible. Reading about them was where this book went well. The chapters on Cain, Abraham, Esau, Samuel and Saul CANNOT possibly qualify as "forgotten lives" or nobodies, to anyone at all familiar with the Bible. So of the 12 chapters that discuss people in the book, almost half of them go against the entire premise. Surely, the author could have found NUMEROUS other people in the Bible whose lives and stories he could have used to make the points he wanted to. Other than that glaring issue, the book had much interesting information and could provide tweets for a good long time.

[Sherrese Holder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

I have gain many lessons from reading this book. Many challenges were given. I think it is worth reading. Make sure notes are taken there may be some surprises.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting book that I started reading to use with my Introduction to the Bible class for international students. The book ended up being too complex for that level of class, but a good read nonetheless. The stories are fascinating, and many I had only glossed over in reading through those passages of Scripture. Swindoll does a great job not only of telling the stories of these individuals, but also helping the reader to draw practical application for his or her own life. He also helps the reader to see every story as part of a greater story - the story of God's redemption, grace, and love for all people.

[Clara Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book lived up to its title. I did not know that the name Jabez means pain or sorrow. This story tells us "..how Jabez rose from the sorrow and anguish of his birth to such influential greatest in his later years." In the study of Saul Swindoll says that "Painful consequences play a major role in maturing us." "When Abraham sent servants to find a wife for his son he told them to avoid the Canaanite women. Why hid Isaac not give the same counsel to his sons. There was such great counsel in this book. This book covered the lives of Cain, Abraham, Esau, Achan, Samuel, Saul, Abigail, Absalom, Rehoboam, Jabez, Naaman Gehazi, and Uzziah.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It definitely makes you realize that every life mentioned in the Bible, was done so for a reason. Each story manifested in those lives contains lessons that we can learn from. And even when some characters seem unworthy of note, they have a lot to share if you spend the time to think about what is written about them.
This book opens your eyes to sides of some of the better known people in the Bible, and makes them more human. And in doing that it helps you feel that maybe you are capable of attaining at least some of the attributes of these biblical heroes.

[Dad · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author gives additional insight to the historical characters found in the Bible. The reader will learn of the everyday personalities of the characters presented as though the character was someone who lived next door, was employed alongside you or someone you know from church.

The chapters bring the Bible characters to life as rarely seen in other writings.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book to use as my Bible Study. So much detail in the people studied and I love how he studied many lesser known stories from scripture. This book was easy for me to read as a Bible study but I could easily have missed so many details if I had rushed through it.

[Cullen P Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can be related to

I believe many of us can relate to the people in the Bible. This study was a study in history repeating itself. We see now-a-days the same as back then. Very well done.

[Calla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as Insightful as Others in the Series

Maybe this is the wrong point in my life, or I had the wrong expectation, but this book did not “speak” to me as did the ones about Esther and Joseph did. It was time well spent, but still a bit disappointed.

[Marge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading about lesser known characters for me and the broader story around the popular ones like Eli and Solomon that I knew a small part of. Most struck by

[Bekah Backman]

I love the books in this series! The others focus on one character, but this one does a different character for each chapter.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Darrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read. Especially for those of us who like to change subjects every-so-often. :)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Swindoll always digs deep and brings out the rich meaning of the stories and people of the Bible

[Azsmistygirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book - did this as a study in adult bible fellowship class. Very interesting details brought together from various parts of the bible into one place.

[Lilith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was an ok read, wasn't too difficult to get through but it wasn't super fascinating either.

[John Braithwaite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bible stories that we overlook

This book has stories that we would miss in just reading the Bible, that still refers to God's amazing Grace

[Kaytlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked up this book I honestly didn't know what to expect, I simply thought it looked intriguing and beautiful with it's hardcover (just me? :P), and mysterious title. I thought perhaps it would be a random assortment of historical tales I had never heard before, so when instead I found a fascinating journey and exploration through the bible stories, I was pleasantly surprised! Even in the characters we are very familiar with, such as Abraham or David, the author narrows in on the minute details and implications that the modern reader may have glossed over ...or "forgotten" - and along the way provides us with lessons and ideas that we too can learn and apply in our own lives. I did find at times the author had a presumptive amd sarcastic tone. I acknowledge this added humour and a more coherent storyline for the audience to follow, so its both a pro and a con. At times it felt as though the author built a whole point on "they probably felt this" or "they couldn't have meant this" logic. I don't think this was done in a tragic way, but more for added exaggeration and embelishment. I am no scholar, and unlike the author i have not spent time studying these intricacies, so I really don't feel I can comment. All in all it was a really great read and I found it very insightful and enjoyable, particularly the author had a clear way of explaining what was unfolding in terms the reader can understand in this day and age.

[Holly Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE reading about the people that God chose to put in the Bible, especially those tucked away characters that usually get glossed over.

Charles Swindoll dives into the lives of some well known Bible characters as well as some obscure characters but he doesn’t just give his opinion on their story found in Scripture, He actually breaks Scripture apart giving you the context and the meaning of certain words in Hebrew giving you a much deeper understanding than if you were doing “surface reading”.

I absolutely loved reading this book and HIGHLY recommend it!

[Nora Allen Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insight for All

I didn't have any dislikes
I would recommend this book to any Bible reader/explorer.
Pastor Swindoll has a gift for bringing sometimes seemingly "tidbits" of Bible stories, (I mean really, Chronicles?) pertinent to the reader today. I have found this the same for the other books I've read in this series. He gives you a chance to relate to the character and, for lack of a better analogy, look in a mirror.

[Ron Thibeault · Rating 5 out of 5]

The practical applications found in Chuck Swindoll’s “Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives,” are spot on. I have been repeatedly encouraged and challenged by the lessons taught in this series. As I approach the ending of these Great Lives, I only wish Swindoll had gone on with more of the Biblical characters.

[Erv Thomas]

Swindoll. Great Theologian, Pastor and Author. He is so practical and down to earth he is a pleasure to read and listen to. He always emphasizes application of God's Word and gives examples how to incorporate it into our daily lives and activities.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book to read and apply to our own lives

A great book for those starting their walk with CHRIST or for those who've been privileged to experience success in life or ministry!

[Joey Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your worldview will be challenged and changed by these seemingly 'nobodies' of the Bible!

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of these stories were spot on. And I enjoy his books very much. But some chapters. Woo. My mind just wandered.

[Colleen T. Valenta]

So worth your time. Powerful

The insights given in this book are really worth reading. Easy to understand, and Thought provoking. I loved this book.

[Malinda Fugate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not finish. Though an interesting examination of various Biblical folks, I'm not sure I'm on board with some of Swindoll's theology.

[Ramcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Olatomi Afilaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories in this book give you a lot of soul searching

[Tharun G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good insights. But some of the stories are commonly preached too.