Humble and courageous people put others before themselves. They aren’t interested in seeking power for themselves either. While there any many more examples besides those in this list, here are ten people in the Bible who showed both humility and courage in their devotion to loving God and their neighbor.

1. Moses

In Numbers 12 we read how Moses’ own brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, reviled and slandered him before all of Israel and before the Lord. They attacked Moses and wanted him demoted.

And how did Moses respond? He didn’t; he was as quiet as a docile mouse. Moses didn’t fight for his honor; he didn’t let his pride get wounded and strike out. Instead, he let God defend him. Even though Moses had power and authority, he refused to use the power for himself. He chose to trust in God. And when the Lord punished Miriam, Moses asked for leniency and mercy.

Moses didn’t want his sister to suffer the full brunt of the law. This is meekness which he also showed during the golden calf debacle in Exodus 32. In a just and controlled anger, Moses rightly broke the covenant tablets at the horrible adultery of the people. Meekness is not shy to correct what is wrong; rather, it is bold.

Yet, Moses’ manner of correction was gentle, merciful, and seeking good. When the Lord was going to destroy Israel and told Moses to stand aside, Moses courageously stepped in between to intercede for mercy. Meekness eschews power, especially as the world uses power:

When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. And Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, do not punish us because we have done foolishly and have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother’s womb.” And Moses cried to the Lord, “O God, please heal her—please.” (Num. 12:10-13)

If any mere human had a valid claim to be full of pride, it would be Moses. He had the special honor of intimately conversing with God on Mount Sinai and in the tent of meeting (Exod. 33); “the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God” (Exod. 34:29). Yet, Scripture tells us that “the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3).

2. Hannah

Hannah endured much suffering because, “The Lord had closed her womb” (1 Sam. 1:6) She was taunted for years by the other wife of her husband, Peninnah, who did have children (1 Sam. 1:7). When Hannah and her husband Elkanah made their yearly trek to the temple at Shiloh, Hannah prayed to the Lord in her deep distress and bitterness, humbly sharing her heart with him. Hannah was not afraid to boldly ask the Lord to give her a child which he did, namely, the prophet Samuel:

After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.”But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. (1 Sam. 1:9–15)

Samuel grew up to become a prophet of God. He anointed Saul and David as kings of Israel and spoke God’s word to the people of Israel.

3. David

In 1 Samuel 24 we read abut how David could have killed Saul in the cave in the wilderness in Engedi, but instead David only quietly cut off a piece of Saul’s robe (1 Sam. 24:4). Saul had been pursuing David for some time in order to kill him. David even felt stricken in his conscience for cutting Saul’s robe because Saul was the Lord’s annointed (1 Sam. 24:5-6). This was David’s big opportunity to end his being pursued by Saul and take the kingdom for himself, but instead David was humble. He called Saul his “Lord and king,” bowed his face, and paid homage to Saul (1 Sam. 24:8):

See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands. I have not sinned against you, though you hunt my life to take it. May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. (1 Sam. 24:11-12)

David eventually did become king of Israel in God’s perfect timing, not his own.

4. Abigail

In 1 Samuel 25:3 we read about Abigail, who was “discerning and beautiful.” Abigail was married to Nabal, a rich man who was “harsh and badly behaved.” David had done a big kindness in looking after Nabal’s shepherds in Carmel and he sent word to Nabal asking for food and drink for his men in return. Nabal, however, thought David’s request was absurd, and he demeaned David. This angered David so much that he set out to kill all the males that belonged to Nabal.

Thankfully, one of the shepherds informed Abigail about all that was taking place, and Abigail immediately went into action.