Text: Esther Chapter 1 I. (King Ahasuerus s Royal Feast). [vv. 1-9] A. The king was Ahasuerus Artexerxes B. Ahasuerus made a feast lasting 180 days showing off his wealth and power C. The king tried to show off Vashti (his wife) II. (Queen Vashti Refuses the King). [vv. 10-12] A. On the last day of the feast, while the king was drunk, he sent some servants to bring his wife and show her off B. When asked to do this, the queen refused to go III. (Queen Vashti s Punishment). [vv. 13-22] A. Vashti s refusal to obey threw the king into a fury B. The king left the queens fate in the hands of his court astrologers C. They decided that Vashti was not to come before the king anymore, and her royal estate was to be given to another D. Their reasoning: if the queen went un punished wives everywhere would no longer submit or give to their husbands
Text: Esther Chapter 2 I. (A New Queen Is Sought). [vv. 1-11] A. A plan is suggested for the choosing a new queen B. Fair young maidens were sought throughout the empire and were put under the care of a eunuch C. The maidens were to go through strict beauty, care and cosmetics preparation D. Esther was among the maidens E. Esther obtained favor in the sight of all II. (Esther Chosen Queen). [vv. 12-20] A. At the end the year, all the virgins were introduced one by one to the king B. At Esther s introduction she was immediately chosen by the king III. (Mordecai Saves the King s Life). [vv. 21-23] A. Two servants of the king became angry with him and plotted to assassinate him B. Mordecai learned of this and told Esther, who told the king C. Mordecai s reporting of the plot was recorded in the royal chronicles
Text: Esther Chapter 3 I. (Haman s Hatred of Mordecai). [vv. 1-5] A. Haman, a servant of the king, was raised to the position of prime minister, second in power only to the king B. The king commanded all princes, nobles, and common people to bow to Haman C. Mordecai would not bow down nor due reverence toward him II. (Haman s Plot to Kill All Jews). [vv. 6-15] A. Haman was enraged and determined to destroy Mordecai and the whole Jewish nation for Mordecai s lack of respect B. Haman reported to the king that a certain group of people had different laws than the Persians, and would not obey the king s laws C. The day of destruction was determined by casting lots D. The king took the signet ring, used to seal decrees, and gave it to Haman
Text: Esther Chapter 4 I. (Mourning Among the Jews). [vv. 1-3] A. Tthere was great mourning among the Jews when the decree became known B. Mordecai grieved by tearing his outer garments, clothing himself in sackcloth and sprinkling himself with ashes II. (Esther and Mordecai Confer). [vv. 4-12] A. Esther inquired about Mordecai s grief, she was told about the decree against the Jews B. Mordecai asked Esther to intervene on the Jews behalf C. Esther told him about the law prohibiting anyone from entering the king s presence without his invitation, including the queen III. (Mordecai s Charge to Esther). [vv. 13-17] A. Mordecai told Esther that maybe she had come to the kingdom for such a time as this
Text: Esther Chapter 5 I. (The Courage of Esther). [vv. 1-12] A. Esther appears before the king and obtains favor in his sight B. The king tells Esther to make her request known, assuring her that it would be granted C. Esther s request was that the king and Haman attend a banquet prepared for them D. Haman felt prideful at the invitation to Esther s banquet E. On his way home he ran across Mordecai and that took away all the pleasure II. (Haman s Plan for Mordecai). [vv. 13-14] A. His wife and friends advised him to build gallows and convince the king that Mordecai should be hanged
Text: Esther Chapter 6 I. (Mordecai s Deeds Made Known). [vv. 1-11] A. The king could not sleep and asked that the royal chronicles be read B. He learned what Mordecai had done C. The king asked Haman, how should the king honor one in whom he is delighted? D. Haman told the king how to honor such a man E. The king told Haman to honor Mordecai in that manner II. (Haman s Fall Predicted). [vv. 12-14] A. Haman tells his wife and all his friends what happened
Text: Esther Chapter 7 I. (Esther s Banquet for the King). [vv. 1-8] A. Esther identifies herself as one of the condemned race of the Jews B. She asked if her life and the lives of her people might be spared C. Esther s plea revealed that a crime had been committed D. Esther told the king that Haman was her adversary and enemy II. (Haman is Hanged). [vv. 9-10] A. The king gave orders that Haman be hanged on the gallows prepared for Mordecai B. The king took from Haman, the ring he had given to him, and gave it to Mordecai
Text: Esther Chapter 8 I. (Esther s Plea for Her People). [vv. 1-14] A. The king took from Haman, the ring he had given to him, and gave it to Mordecai B. Haman s death did not change the decree made against the Jews C. It was suggested to Ahasuerus that he write another decree in which the Jews could defend themselves II. (Mordecai and the Jews Exalted). [vv. 15-17] A. The Jews had joy everywhere at the new decree
Text: Esther Chapter 9 I. (The Jews Destroy Their Enemies). [vv. 1-17] A. No one could stand against the Jews B. All feared Mordecai C. The Jews smote all their enemies with the sword II. (The Feast of Purim). [vv. 18-32] A. The feast of Purim was instituted B. This feast commemorated the Jews victory
Text: Esther Chapter 10 I. (Mordecai s Greatness). [vv. 1-3] A. The king put a tribute on the land B. Mordecai was great among the Jews