Esther - At A Glance

Theme: The book of Esther is the story of the survival of God's people in Persia. The Jews had been a minority in Persia since their deportation from Judah one hundred years earlier. Haman, was a descendant of King Agag, an enemy of the Jews. Faced with death, Esther set aside her fears and asked King Ahasuerus to save the Jews.

Esther 1
At a Glance (22 V)
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1-5_King Ahasuerus reigned over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. In the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his princes, attendants and army officers of Persia and Media. He had put his splendor and majesty on display for one hundred and eighty days. Afterwards he put on a seven day banquet in his garden court.

__6-7_There were hangings of fine white and violet linen held by cords of fine purple on silver rings and marble columns. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry having fiery crystals, marble, mother of pearls and precious stones. Drinks were served in golden vessels and the royal wine was plentiful.

__8-11_The drinking was done according to the law for the king had ordered that there be no compulsion to drink. Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the palace who belonged to king Ahasuerus.

On the seventh day when the king's heart was merry with wine, he commanded Vashti to be brought with her crown to show her beauty.

__12-16_She refused to come and this greatly angered the king. He asked his wise men, whom he trusted with matters of wisdom in running the kingdom, what should be done to Vashti for not obeying his command? Memucan said, Vashti has not only wrong the king but also the men in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus.

__17-20_Her conduct will be known to all women and they will look with contempt on their husbands, speaking to them as Queen Vashti spoke to you. If it pleases you, let Vashti come before you no more. Look for another more worthy than she. And when the king's edict is heard the women throughout the kingdom will honor their husbands.

Esther 2
At a Glance (23 V)
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1-4_After this when the king's anger had subsided his attendants suggested that a search be made throughout the provinces for beautiful young unmarried women. Bring them to Susa and placed them under the supervision of those in charge of the king's harem. Let the new queen be chosen from among them. This idea pleased the king.

__5-7_Now there was a Jew in Susa by the name of Mordecai. He was of the tribe of Benjamin and of those who Nebuchadnezzar had exiled from Jerusalem. Mordecai was raising Hadassah, whose name became Esther, as his own daughter. She was his uncle's daughter and had been orphaned. She was very beautiful in form and face.

__8-9_So when the king's decree was heard and many young ladies were gathered at Susa. Esther was taken to the king's palace into the custody of Hegai who was in charge of the harem, She found favor with him and he immediately provided her with cosmetics and food, and seven maids from the king's palace and the best quarters.

__10-11_Mordecai had instructed Esther not to make known her people or kindred and she followed this advice. Every day he would walk back and forth in front of the court of the harem to see how she fared.

__12-14_Each young lady was given six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and cosmetics. At the end of the twelve months she was then to go into the king with whatever she required. In the evening she would go in and in the morning she would return to the harem. She would not see him again unless he summoned her by name.

__15-16_When Esther's turn came to go into the king, she did not ask for anything more than Hegai, the king's eunuch advised. She found favor in the eyes of all who saw her. She was taken to King Ahasuerus to his royal palace in the tenth month of the seventh year of his reign.

__17-18_The king loved Esther more than all the other women. She found favor and kindness from him and he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen in Vashti's place. Then he made a great banquet in her honor for all his princes and servants. And he gave gifts according to his bounty.

__19-20_And Mordecai sat in the king's gate to know how it went with Esther. She did not make known to anyone who her people or kindred were, just as Mordecai had instructed her. She respected his council just as she had when she had been under his care.

__21-22_It was in those days that while Mordecai's was sitting in the king's gate that Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's officials who guarded the door, became angry and planned to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. When Mordecai learned of this he told Esther and she told the king in Mordecai's name.

__23_When the plot was investigated and they were found guilty, both were hanged and the account was written in the Book of the Chronicles in the king's presence.

Esther 3
At a Glance (15 V)
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1-6_Sometime later King Ahasuerus promoted Haman the Agagite, and gave him authority over his princes. Everyone in the king's gate bowed down to him except Mordecai. This filled Haman with rage. He planned to destroy Mordecai and all his people throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

__7-8_In the first month of the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, Haman was casting lots to determine a favorable time when he might propose to Ahasuerus the extermination of a people in the kingdom whose laws were very different. He planned to tell the king that it would be in his best interest to have them destroyed.

__9-11_Haman suggested that the king have a decree made to destroy these people. He added that he would personally place 10,000 talents of silver in the king's treasury to pay whoever carried out the king's business in this matter. Then the king took the signet ring from his hand let Haman have it to enforce this law.

__12-13_So the king had his scribes put the law in writing just as Haman had suggested. It was sent to the governors and overseers of every province in the language of that province and sealed with the king's signet ring. It said to annihilate every Jew on the thirteenth of the twelfth month and confiscate their possessions as plunder.

__14-15_A copy of this edict was to be issued as law in every province so that all the people should to carry it out when the day came. As the decree was issued in Susa the capital, the king and Haman sat down to drink. The city of Susa was in confusion.

Esther 4
At a Glance (17 V)
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1-3_When Mordecai learned of the law he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes and went out in the city wailing loudly. He went as far as the king's gate but did not enter it for no one could enter it wearing sackcloth. In every province there was great mourning among the Jews who fasted, wept and put on sackcloth.

__4-6_Esther's attendants came and told her of Mordecai's loud wailing and she was in great anguish. She sent garments to Mordecai so that he would remove his sackcloth but he would not accept them. Then she sent Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs who was appointed to help her. He went to Mordecai to learn why he wailed so.

__7-8_Mordecai explained the law and the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave Hathach a copy of the text of the edict issued in Susa. He wanted Esther to go in to the king and plead for her people.

__9-12_Hathach related all of Mordecai words to Esther. She then sent a reply back to Mordecai. She said, everyone knows that to enter the king's court without being summoned is sure death. The only exception is if he holds out his golden scepter. And I have not been summoned to the king for the last thirty days.

__13-14_Then Mordecai sent back this reply to Esther: do not think that you are safe from this decree because you are in the king's palace. If you remain silent in this matter, deliverance for the Jews will rise from another quarter, but you and your father's house will perish. Who knows? You may have become queen for this purpose.

__15-17_Then Esther sent back this reply to Mordecai: gather together all the Jews in Susa. Fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maidens will also fast. Then I will go in to the king, even though doing this is breaking the law. If I perish, I perish. Mordecai did as Esther had requested.

Esther 5
At a Glance (14 V)
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1-2_On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace. The king was sitting on his royal throne opposite the entrance. When he saw her, she obtained favor in his sight. He extended his golden scepter to her and she came near and touched the top of it.

__3-5_He said to her, what is troubling you Queen Esther? What is your request? I will grant you up to half of the kingdom. Esther said, if it pleases the king, bring Haman with you to a banquet I have prepared. Then the king summoned Haman quickly and the two of them came as Esther had requested.

__6-8_As they drank their wine the king asked Esther again, what is your petition? I will grant it, even half of the kingdom. Esther replied, if I have found favor in your sight, please bring Haman with you to a banquet I will prepare for tomorrow. Then I will answer your question concerning my petition.

__9-10_Haman left the palace very pleased with himself. But when he saw Mordecai at the gate and noticed that he still did not stand up, or tremble in his presence, he was filled with anger. But he controlled himself and went to his house. He sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh.

__11-12_Haman recounted to them of his riches, the number of his sons and all the times the king had paid him special honor. He had been promoted to the highest position in the kingdom. Even Esther the queen let no one come to dine with her but the king and myself. And tomorrow I am invited to eat with her and the king again.

__13-14_Yet all of this is not satisfying as long as Mordecai the Jew sits at the king's gate. Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, have a gallows made fifty cubits high and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged. Then you can be happy at the banquet. This advice seemed good and Haman had the gallows built.

Esther 6
At a Glance (14 V)
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1-3_During that night the king could not sleep. He had the book of records brought in and read to him. They read the account of Mordecai's report concerning Bigthan and Teresh, two of his eunuchs who had been door keepers and had plotted against him. The king asked what had been done for Mordecai. They answered, nothing!

__4-6_So the king asked, who is in the court? Haman had just entered coming to ask permission to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared. The king's servants said, Haman is here. The king invited Haman in and asked him what should be done for the man the king wishes to honor? Haman thought, who would he want to honor more than me?

__7-9_Haman said, let a royal robe worn by the king be brought with the horse he has ridden. Place a royal crown on his head and put the royal robe on him. Let him ride the horse led in the city square by one of the king's most noble princes who proclaims for all to hear, thus shall be done for the man whom the king desires to honor.

__10-11_Then the king said to Haman, go quickly. Take the robe and the horse for Mordecai the Jew just as you have said. Leave nothing out. So Haman took the robe and the horse and placing the robe on Mordecai, led him on horseback through the city square, proclaiming, thus it shall be done for the man the king desires to honor.

__12-14_Then Mordecai returned to the king's gate but Haman hurried home with his head covered. He recounted to Zeresh his wife and to his friends, all that had happened to him. They all said, if Mordecai is a Jew, you will not overcome him. While they were talking the king's eunuchs arrived to escort Haman to Esther's banquet.

Esther 7
At a Glance (10 V)
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1-3_The king and Haman were drinking wine with Esther. The king asked her once more, what is your petition Queen Esther? Whatever you ask, even to half of the kingdom, it will be given to you. Then Queen Esther answered by saying, if I have found favor with you, O king, let my life be given to me and the lives of my people.

__4-7_We have been sold to be destroyed. If we had been sold as slaves I would have kept silent. The king asked, who is he who has presumed to do this? And Esther said, a foe and an enemy, this wicked Haman! Then Haman became terrified. The king in his anger went out to the garden but Haman stayed to beg for his life.

__8_When the king came back from the palace garden he saw Haman who had fallen on the couch where Esther was. The king said, will he even assault the queen in my house? The words were no more out of his mouth then they covered Haman's face.

__9-10_Then one of the king's eunuchs said, Haman constructed a gallows on which to hang Mordecai who spoke good on behalf of the king. And king said, hang him on it. When Haman had been hanged on the gallows prepared for Mordecai, the king's anger subsided.

Esther 8
At a Glance (17 V)
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1-3_On that day King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman, the enemy of the Jews, to Esther. The king took the signet ring he had taken away from Haman and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. Then Esther spoke again to the king. Falling at his feet she implored him concerning Haman's scheme against the Jews.

__4-6_The king extended the golden scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him. She said, if it pleases the king and if I have found favor in his sight, let letters be sent to revoke Haman's plan to destroy the Jews in all the provinces. For how can I endure the calamity that will befall my people?

__7-8_So King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther and to Mordecai, I have given the house of Haman to Esther and had him hanged because he stretched out his hand against the Jews. Now you may write letters to the Jews in the king's name and seal it with my signet ring. The decree sent with my seal cannot be revoked.

__9-12_The king's scribes were called in the third month to write what Mordecai commanded. Letters were sent to each province telling the Jews in every city to defend themselves killing those who wished to attack them, and to plunder their spoil. They were to do this on one day: the thirteenth day of the twelfth month.

__13-16_A copy of this edict was issued as law in every province. Couriers carried this letter everywhere.

Mordecai went out from the king's presence in royal robes of blue and white. He wore a gold crown and garments of fine linen. The city of Susa shouted for joy.

__17_In each province and every city where the king's decree arrived there was gladness and joy for the Jews. They had a great feast and a holiday. Many became Jews because the dread of the Jews had fallen on them.

Esther 9
At a Glance (32 V)
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1-2_On the twelfth month on the thirteenth day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them it turned out that the Jews gained the mastery over those who hated them. They assembled throughout the provinces of King Ahasuerus and no one could stand up to them for the dread of them had fallen on all peoples.

__3-10_Even the king's leaders assisted them because of the dread of Mordecai. His fame spread throughout all the provinces and he became greater and greater. So the Jews struck all their enemies with the sword. In Susa the capital they destroyed five hundred men as well as the ten sons of Haman. But they did not take any plunder.

__11-13_On that day the number killed in Susa was reported to the king and he told Queen Esther of it. Then he asked her, does this satisfy your petition? Ask what you will. Esther said, if it pleases the king, let tomorrow be granted to the Jews according to today's edict and let Haman's ten sons be hanged.

__14-16_So the king commanded it. Haman's ten sons were hanged and three hundred more men were killed but no one took the spoil. The rest of the Jews in the king's provinces defended themselves and killed 75,000 of those who hated them, but they took no plunder. This was done on the thirteenth and fourteenth day of the twelfth month.

__17-21_The fifteenth day of the month became a day of feasting. The Jews in the rural areas made the fourteenth day a holiday and sent portions of food to each other. Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews obliging them to celebrate the thirteenth and fourteenth day every year.

__22-25_They were to do this in memory of their great deliverance. These were to be days of feasting and rejoicing with the sending of portions of food to each other and gifts to the poor. Thus the Jews began to do what Mordecai had written. Haman had devised a plan to destroy them and it had turned on his own head.

__26-32_So they called these days Purim because of the Pur, or lots, that had been cast to accomplish the destruction of the Jews. Keeping these days became a custom for them and their descendants so that the memory of their deliverance would not fade. Queen Esther and Mordecai established this custom as written in the book.

Esther 10
At a Glance (3 V)
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1-3_All the accomplishments of King Ahasuerus, his strength as well as the greatness of Mordecai, are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Media and Persia. Mordecai the Jew was second only to King Ahasuerus. He sought the good of the people and spoke for the welfare of the nation.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10