The Book of Esther is one of the books in the third section of the Hebrew Bible known as the Ketuvim (Writings). It tells the story of a Jewish girl named Esther who becomes queen of Persia and thwarts a plan to massacre all the Jews in the Persian Empire. The key personalities in the book include Esther, Mordecai, King Ahasuerus, and Haman.
King Ahasuerus ruled over the Persian Empire from India to Ethiopia. In the third year of his reign, he held a lavish banquet for his officials and ministers that lasted 180 days. After this banquet, he held a 7-day banquet for all the people in the citadel of Susa. On the seventh day of the feast, when King Ahasuerus was drunk with wine, he commanded his wife Vashti to display her beauty before all the people. But Queen Vashti refused to come, which made the king furious. He consulted his wise men on what should be done and was advised to depose Vashti and find a new queen. Ahasuerus then sent letters throughout the empire ordering beautiful young virgins to be brought to his harem at Susa, so he could select a new queen. One of these virgins was a Jewish orphan named Esther, who was being raised by her older cousin Mordecai (Esther 2:5-7).
Mordecai told Esther to keep her Jewish identity secret when she was taken to the king’s palace. Esther found favor with the king’s eunuch Hegai, who provided her with beauty treatments and special food. The king loved Esther more than all the other virgins and made her his new queen. Mordecai would sit at the king’s gate and one day overheard two of the king’s officers plotting to assassinate King Ahasuerus. Mordecai informed Esther about the conspiracy and she in turn told the king, giving credit to Mordecai. The two men were hanged and the event recorded in the king’s book of chronicles (Esther 2:19-23).
Some time later King Ahasuerus appointed Haman as his highest noble and ordered that all should bow down to Haman. But Mordecai refused to bow, infuriating Haman. In his rage, Haman plotted to destroy not just Mordecai but all the Jews in the empire. He cast pur (lots) to determine the day and month to carry out the massacre. Haman then went to King Ahasuerus and falsely accused the Jews of not following the king’s laws. He convinced the king to authorize letters to be sent throughout the empire ordering the destruction of all Jews, young and old, women and children, on the 13th day of the 12th month. Mordecai tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes when he learned of the decree. Jews throughout the empire fasted and wept (Esther 3:8-15).
When Esther heard about Mordecai’s mourning, she sent clothes for him to wear but he refused. Mordecai sent a message back urging Esther to go to the king and plead for her people, saying perhaps she had become queen for such a time as this. Esther sent a message back saying anyone who went to the king without being summoned could be put to death, unless the king extended his gold scepter. She had not been called to see the king in 30 days. Mordecai responded that if Esther remained silent, deliverance for the Jews would arise from another place while she and her father’s house would perish. Esther agreed to risk her life and go before the king unsummoned (Esther 4:1-17).
Esther put on her royal robes and went and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace. When King Ahasuerus saw her, he extended his gold scepter and offered to grant her any request, up to half his kingdom. Esther invited the king and Haman to a banquet she had prepared that day. At the banquet, the king again told Esther he would give her anything she requested. But instead of revealing her petition, Esther invited the king and Haman to another banquet the next day, saying she would make her request then. Haman left happy but then became enraged when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate not standing in reverence before him (Esther 5:1-14).
That night the king could not sleep, so he had the book of chronicles read to him. He was reminded of how Mordecai had saved his life by revealing the assassination plot. The king inquired if Mordecai had been rewarded for this, and was told he had not. The next morning Haman came early to ask the king to hang Mordecai, but before he could speak the king ordered Haman to honor Mordecai by parading him through the city streets on one of the king’s horses. Haman had no choice but to obey. Later that day Haman attended Esther’s banquet with the king, where she revealed her Jewish identity and Haman’s plot to destroy her people. The king was outraged and left the banquet. Haman stayed behind pleading for his life, just as the king returned and saw Haman falling on Esther’s couch, which further angered him. The king ordered Haman to be hanged on the same gallows he had built for Mordecai (Esther 6:1-7:10).
That same day King Ahasuerus gave Esther Haman’s property and authorized Mordecai to issue a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves when Haman’s order came into effect. So Mordecai sent out letters throughout the empire giving the Jews permission to assemble and protect themselves, kill their enemies, and plunder their property. On the day Haman had selected for their destruction, the 13th of Adar, the Jews triumphantly defeated all their enemies. Mordecai established the Festival of Purim, to be celebrated every year in remembrance of this great deliverance. Mordecai was promoted to second-in-command to King Ahasuerus, and he and Esther worked to ensure the welfare of their people (Esther 8:1-10:3).
The Book of Esther provides an amazing account of God’s providential care for His people. Though God is never directly mentioned, it is clear He was working behind the scenes to protect His people from destruction. The dramatic reversal of fortune for the Jews, from the brink of annihilation to triumph over their enemies in a single day, demonstrates God’s sovereign power and His commitment to preserve His chosen people. Esther’s courageous and sacrificial intervention on behalf of her people illustrates how God uses individuals for His redemptive purposes. The institution of Purim provides ongoing remembrance and celebration of God’s mighty hand of deliverance as displayed in this book.
Some key themes in Esther include God’s providence, human courage, reversal of fortunes, and the ongoing struggle between Jews and Gentiles. God is always at work to protect His people, often through the courageous acts of faithful individuals. Evil plans can be suddenly turned upside down when God intervenes. And the challenges faced by God’s people require wisdom, faith, and sacrifice. The Book of Esther remains an inspiring example of how the hand of God moves through human agents to accomplish His sovereign will in this world.
Though a relatively short account, the Book of Esther provides a powerful testimony of God’s unwavering commitment to preserve His chosen people in the midst of threats against their survival. It illustrates how God is not limited by human plots or timing, but can orchestrate deliverance even when His name is never invoked. This book continues to encourage Jewish and Christian readers that no matter how dangerous circumstances appear, God remains firmly on the throne working out His redemptive plan.
The Book of Esther contains 10 chapters:
Chapter 1: King Ahasuerus deposes Queen Vashti
Chapter 2: Esther becomes queen
Chapter 3: Haman’s plot against the Jews
Chapter 4: Mordecai persuades Esther to help
Chapter 5: Esther invites the king and Haman to dinner
Chapter 6: Mordecai is honored by the king
Chapter 7: Esther reveals Haman’s plot
Chapter 8: A new decree helps the Jews
Chapter 9: The Jews triumph over their enemies
Chapter 10: Mordecai’s position is secured
Some key characters in Esther:
– Esther – Jewish orphan raised by Mordecai, becomes queen of Persia
– Mordecai – Esther’s cousin who refusal to bow to Haman sets events in motion
– King Ahasuerus – Persian king who chooses Esther as his queen
– Haman – Agagite noble who plots to destroy the Jews
– Hegai – King’s eunuch who helps Esther become queen
– Vashti – Queen who is deposed for refusing the king’s command
Key themes in Esther:
– God’s providence – Though never mentioned, God clearly works behind the scenes
– Reversal of fortune – Sudden turnaround from despair to triumph for Jews
– Courage – Esther risks her life going before the king unsummoned
– Struggle of Jews vs. Gentiles – Age-old tensions continue through Haman’s hatred
– Deliverance – Dramatic rescue of Jews from destruction
– Providence – God’s unseen protection and care for His people
In summary, the Book of Esther provides an inspiring example of God preserving His people amidst threats of destruction. Through the courage of Esther and wisdom of Mordecai, a plot against the Jews is foiled in dramatic fashion. This vivid account of divine providence working through human agents continues to encourage readers to trust in God’s faithfulness, no matter how dire circumstances appear.