Esther - Chapters 3-10

The Amazing Bible. Book Club

Esther has been queen to King Xerxes of Persia for about five years (2:16 & 3:7). The man Haman has been elevated above all the other nobles by king Xerxes, and people were to bow down to him at the king's request, but Mordecai would not do so, which infuriated Haman. He decided that he did not just want to get Mordecai, but all of Mordecai's people, so he and his men threw lots, which was called Pur, and it was decided the day they would annihilate the Jews would be on the 12th month, Adar. Haman addressed the king and told him there was a certain people group who did not obey the king's laws, and he asked for permission to wipe them out. The king agreed. When Mordecai heard, he mourned, wept and fasted. Once word got to Esther, Mordecai asked her to go to the king and request him to spare her life and the lives of her people. She was fearful, because he had not asked for her in a while, and if someone appears before the king without being asked, she could be killed. Mordecai said, "For if you remain silent at the time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another pl ace, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" The Jews fasted for three days, and then the queen approached the king with favor! She requested the king and Haman come to a banquet for them. When Haman left the king and queen's presence, he was thrilled, but when he saw Mordecai, he became furious. Chapter 6:1 is the transitional verse which says the king could not sleep and the annals were read to him. He remembered that Mordecai had saved his life, but was never thanked. Meanwhile Haman built gallows for Mordecai, and was going to ask the king if he could kill Mordecai in the morning. Before Haman could ask about killing Mordecai, the king asked how should he honor someone. Haman shared his thoughts, and then found out that he had to carry them out for Mordecai instead of himself. He realized the tables were beginning to turn on him, and even his family and friends told him so. He was escorted to the banquet, and it was revealed that it was Haman who was trying to wipe out the Jews. The king killed Haman, elevated Mordecai, and wrote a new edict so the Jews could fight against the enemy that would attack them. The Jewish holiday of Purim celebrates this victory of the Jews.