For centuries the stories of women have been unwritten from the Bible by some, or have gone unreported by others. Yet without them, the Bible simply wouldn’t be the same. The following are the stories of three inspirational Biblical women, you’ve likely never heard of.

1. Abigail, Future Wife Of David

We first meet Abigail in 1 Samuel 25, where she is described as both "yapheh" (meaning beautiful) and "tob" (meaning intelligent) — a rare description for a woman of the Old Testament. Abigail was married to Nabal, a foolish and senseless man who kept shepherds to guard his flocks. When David, an outlaw running from King Saul, ran out of food whilst guarding Nabal's shepherds, he sent Nabal 10 messages. However, Nabal ignored the messages and even screamed about them to his servants, which deeply insulted David.

Bravely, Abigail defied her abusive husband to meet with David and 400 of his armed men, humbly giving them a bountiful "peace offering" of food. In doing so, she saved her extensive household, and David's men, from needless bloodshed. God rewarded Abigail when Nabal suffered heart failure, sparing her from her husband's violence.

She defies all expectations of a Biblical wife, yet she is portrayed as the ideal. Abigail submits to the will of God, but not to the stupidity of her husband and as a consequence, she safeguards his life. Abigail teaches us about the importance of mutual submission and the act of humility.

2. Rizpah, Bereaved Mother

Rizpah's story is also recorded in the Book of Samuel, chapter 21:1-6.

As the concubine of King Saul, she bore him sons. Then in a questionable political agreement, David handed her two sons and five grandsons over to the Gibeonites so that they could take retribution against Saul, who had persecuted them.

Instead of mourning, Rizpah stayed for months with the decomposing bodies of her sons, in an act of protest against their senseless killings. David noticed Rizpah's resistance and in sympathy, perhaps regret, gave the seven victims the proper burial that they deserved.

Today, Rizpah serves as the perfect model for all parents who refuse to forget or give up on justice for their missing, exploited and dead children — no matter who they have to fight against to receive it.

3. Rahab, Unlikely Heroine

Rahab’s story is written in Joshua 2.

When Moses announced that the Israelites would reclaim their rightful city of Jericho, he sent spies to first observe their military strength. There the spies met Rahab, a prostitute who’s home was built into the city wall. Although Rahab was not an Israelite, she hid the spies stating, "I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.”

In return, the spies spared Rahab and she, along with her family, were integrated into the Jewish people. God further blessed Rahab, and she went on to become a direct ancestor of Jesus.

Rahab’s story is an inspiring one, and teaches us the importance of courage, having the strength of our convictions and living by faith.

These women, are only three of the many inspiring women whose stories are recorded in the Bible. They defy expectations and serve as examples to us all. For the sake of our mothers, sisters and daughters — let's begin retelling their stories.