Why study the Old Testament and lesser known characters in such detail?  As the writer of Hebrews tells us, we can learn so much from their faith and their mistakes.  They are surrounding us and encouraging us to keep on in the race we are running.  They ARE REAL people, like we are!  We need to teach our children and grandchildren that they can be like Joseph, Daniel, Josiah, Ruth, Esther, the maiden servant of Naaman...and others who withstood great trials and were victorious!

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens... ...Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.