Study Guide
June 16-June 20

The story of Queen Esther is not found in 1st or 2nd Kings, as she is not a queen of Israel or Judah. Esther becomes Queen of Persia, a land that is foreign to the Jewish people. The book of Esther is an exciting, fast-paced story in which good triumphs and evil is destroyed. Esther is a powerful role model of courage and strength.

Monday, July 14. The Downfall of Queen Vashti. King Xerxes rules from his royal throne in the palace complex of Susa. The king throws a week long party for everyone living in Susa. On the seventh day of the party, he asks his servants to bring him Queen Vashti. He wants to show off her beauty to the guests and officials. Queen Vashti refuses to come. The king consults his expert advisors and they have the king pronounce a royal ruling stating that Vashti is subordinate and thus is permanently banned from King Xerxes’ presence. Read the complete story in Esther 1. The theme of power recurs through the whole book. Notice in this chapter who has the power. Is it the King? His advisors? Queen Vashti? Of these characters, who has the wisdom and skill that accompany the exercising of true power?

Tuesday, July 15. Esther becomes Queen. The king appoints officials in every province of his kingdom to bring every beautiful young virgin to the harem in the palace complex of Susa. The girl who best pleases the king will be made queen in place of Vashti. Mordecai, an exiled Jew, who lives in the palace complex in Susa, is the guardian of his orphaned niece, Esther. She is very beautiful. When the king posts his order, many young girls are brought to the palace complex and given over to the overseer of the women. Mordecai brings Esther. The king falls in love with Esther. Esther keeps her Jewish background a secret from the king and his court. Mordecai, sitting at the King’s Gate, overhears a plot to kill the king. Mordecai tells Esther who in turn tells the king. The conspirators are hanged, and Mordecai earns the King’s favor. Read this story in Esther 2. Again notice which characters have power and who are powerless. Notice the status and expectations of the women in the chapter. What choice does Esther, an orphan, a female and a minority, have in her fate? Can you think of other times in history in which minority people are treated similarly? How were the situations resolved? How do these problems continue today?

Wednesday, July 16.  Haman’s Plot to Destroy the Jews.  The King appoints Haman as the highest ranking official in the government and requires everyone to bow down to Haman. Mordecai refuses. So Haman finances a plot to eliminate all of the Jews since Mordecai is a Jew. Mordecai and all the Jewish people weep and mourn. Queen Esther gets word of the plot from one of the palace eunuchs. Esther decides to go to the king and intercede and plead with him for her people; she and her servants fast for 3 days and she instructs Mordecai and the Jews to do the same. Read Esther 3 and 4.  Have you ever found yourself in a situation that required speaking out against an injustice? What did you do? Did God place you there for such a time? How might you use your power wisely to correct a situation in the future?

Thursday, July 17.  Haman’s Plans are Thwarted.  Queen Esther invites Haman for dinner with the king two nights in a row. After the first night, Haman builds gallows to begin the massacre. During the second dinner Esther exposes Haman’s plot and the king has Haman hung on his own gallows. Read Esther 5-7. Esther uses her circumstances not to further herself, but to aid her people. Her story is an account of salvation of a people. Read John 3:16-18. (A summary of the Christian story of salvation).     

Friday, July 18.  Esther Advocated for her People. Esther appoints Mordecai over Haman’s estate. The king authorizes all of the Jews in the city to defend themselves against threat, which they do. Mordecai is given clothes of royalty. The Jewish people agree to never forget the story of Queen Esther. They celebrate Purim annually in the spring to commemorate this courageous woman. Read Esther 8-10. Esther transforms from a passive girl into a powerful, wise and skilled heroine.  Research “Purim” on the internet to read how Jews today celebrate this holiday.