The Story of Esther (Esther 1:1–10:3)
The story of Esther takes place in Persia during the reign of King Xerxes. When the queen disobeyed the king, she was removed, and a search began for a new queen. Among the young women chosen was Esther, a Jewish girl being raised by her cousin Mordecai. Esther was kind, wise, and beautiful, and she found favor with the king. He chose her to be queen, though he did not know she was Jewish.
Not long after, Mordecai uncovered a plot to kill the king and reported it, saving the king’s life. Meanwhile, a powerful official named Haman rose to power and demanded that everyone bow to him. Mordecai refused, saying he would bow only to God. Angry and proud, Haman convinced the king to issue a law to destroy all the Jews in the empire.
When Mordecai told Esther about the plan, she was afraid to approach the king without being called, because it could mean death. But Mordecai reminded her, “Who knows if you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther asked the people to fast and pray, then courageously went before the king and invited him and Haman to a banquet.
At the second banquet, Esther revealed Haman’s evil plan and told the king that she herself was Jewish. Enraged, the king ordered Haman to be executed on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
The Jews were saved, and Mordecai was honored. The people celebrated with joy, and the feast of Purim was established to remember God’s protection. Esther’s courage and faith showed that God can work through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.