This is the outline of the book of Esther:
- Chapter 1:1 – 2:23: Jews in the Persian court
- Chapter 3:1 – 5:14: Jewish people threatened
- Chapter 6:1 – 10:3: The Jews triumphant
The book of Esther is set in Persia, where many Jews had been taken by Nebuchadnezzar when he conquered Israel. The King at the time of this story is Xerxes (also known as Ahasuerus).
Beginning of the story
The story begins when the king holds a great feast for the people, and the queen at the time, Vashti, holds one for the women. The king summons the queen to his banquet, but she refuses to attend. The result of her refusal is to be removed from her position as Queen. Time elapses and the king begins to regret his decision, but his advisors suggest finding all the beautiful girls in the kingdom, from which the King would choose one to replace queen Vashti.
Esther chosen
One of the girls brought into the palace was Haddasah, more commonly known as Esther. After four years since the queen Vashti had been removed, Esther went to the king, and he chose her above all the other women to be the next queen. Esther’s uncle Mordecai, who had looked after her since she was a child, had told Esther not to reveal her nationality. Mordecai went to the palace daily to hear how Esther was doing.
Haman furious
Around that time, the king elevated a man named Haman to a very high rank and commanded everyone to bow before him. Mordecai refused, which enraged Haman. When Haman discovered that Mordecai was a Jew, he decided not only to punish Mordecai but to destroy all the Jews. The king, unaware that this would also endanger queen Esther, agreed to the plan.
Esther’s request to the king
Mordecai asked Esther to approach the king and seek his help, but this was a risky step — even for the queen. Esther fasted and prayed for three days with her servants before going to the king, where she invited him and Haman to a banquet. During the meal, she asked them to have another banquet the day after. During this second meal, she asked the king to stop the destruction of her people. When the king realized that the plan to annihilate the Jews would also include Esther, he ordered Haman to be executed. Esther then introduced Mordecai to the king, and Mordecai was promoted to take Haman’s place.
The Jews saved
The order to destroy the Jews could not be cancelled, but the King gave permission to the Jews to destroy their enemies instead. As a result of this turnaround of events, the feast of Purim was instituted. Pur means drawing lots, and the day chosen for the destruction of the Jews was chosen by drawing a lot, hence the name. This day celebrates the protection and saving of the Jews by Haman.
The order to destroy the Jews could not be revoked, but the king granted the Jews permission to defend themselves against their enemies. The tables were turned and the Jews got the upper hand over those who hated them. To commemorate this dramatic reversal of events, the festival of Purim was established. The word pur means “lot,” and the day chosen for the destruction of the Jews had been selected by casting lots, which is how the festival received its name. The day celebrates the protection and deliverance of the Jews from Haman.
God controlled the situation
Even though this book is in the Bible and is about the Jewish people, nowhere is the name of God mentioned. Yet, it is obvious through the book that God controlled the situation. Mordecai, the Jews, Esther and her servants were all praying to their God (the God of Jews and in this era the God of Christians too) and it is to Him that they give the honour of help, protection and salvation from Haman’s evil plot.
Read more in What is the Bible?