No bookmarks yet
Bookmark pages to access them quickly laterNo recent items
Pages you visit will appear hereGod's hidden providence in the Persian Empire
| Chapter | Summary | Commentary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
King Xerxes holds a lavish feast. Queen Vashti refuses his command to appear, so she is deposed to set an example for all women.
|
Commentary
|
| 2 |
Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by Mordecai, is chosen as queen. Mordecai uncovers a plot against the king and reports it.
|
|
| 3 |
Haman rises to power and demands honor, but Mordecai refuses to bow. Enraged, Haman plots to destroy all Jews and casts lots (Purim) to set the date.
|
|
| 4 |
Mordecai urges Esther to plead with the king. Esther agrees, saying, “If I perish, I perish,” and prepares to approach the king uninvited.
|
|
| 5 |
Esther approaches the king, who receives her favorably. She invites the king and Haman to a banquet, arousing Haman’s pride and fury toward Mordecai.
|
|
| 6 |
The king, unable to sleep, reads records and learns of Mordecai’s past loyalty. Haman, intending to seek Mordecai’s death, is ordered to honor him publicly instead.
|
|
| 7 |
At Esther’s banquet, she exposes Haman’s plot against her people. The king orders Haman to be hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
|
|
| 8 |
The king grants Esther and Mordecai authority to write a decree allowing Jews to defend themselves. Mordecai is honored, and the Jews rejoice.
|
|
| 9 |
The Jews defeat their enemies on the appointed day. Purim is established as an annual feast to celebrate their deliverance.
|
|
| 10 |
Mordecai is exalted to second in command under the king, bringing prosperity and peace to the Jews.
|