ABSTRACT
An abandoned baby floating down the Nile River grows up to topple an empire and lead a nation. A Moabite woman pledges loyalty to her Israelite mother-in-law and gives birth to a boy whose great-grandson becomes Israel’s most beloved king. While an inexperienced boy, that greatgrandson proves his worth by defeating a giant warrior. Each of these biblical characters – Moses, Ruth, and David – exceeds expectations within his or her narrative. They are biblical underdogs whose stories capitalize on the ways the characters defy limitations of station and character. Pharaoh does not know that Moses will be his worst enemy. Otherwise, he never would have welcomed him into his home. If Naomi understood that Ruth’s loyalty would enable the birth of Israel’s greatest king, she would have demanded that Ruth join her in Judah, instead of begging her to remain in Moab. Goliath never would have accepted David’s challenge if he had known that David would chop off his head.
