BIBLE SUMMARY: ESTHER
Book of Esther Synopsis: Statistics And Summary of Main Topics.
Book of Esther Chapter by Chapter Summary.
ESTHER TOTAL CHAPTERS: 10
ESTHER TOTAL VERSES: 167
TOTAL WORDS: 5,637
DATE WRITTEN: 465 BC
AUTHOR: Not certain may be Mordecai
ESTHER THEME:
God’s Providence his presence and control of the circumstances in our lives: God’s Care During Judah’s Captivity
MAJOR CHARACTERS:
Esther, Mordecai, Xerxes, Haman, Vashti, and Zeresh.
BOOK OF ESTHER KEY VERSES:
2:15: Now when the time came for Esther to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested.
4:14: For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the royal position for such a time as this.
6:12: Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has begun, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him – you will surely come to ruin!
7:3: If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life-this is my petition, and the life of my people-this is my request.
ESTHER SUMMARY
Esther is written during the period of the captivity. The Book of Esther was likely written between 467 and 350 B.C. It is a short story similar to the Book of Ruth, starting in the palace of Shushan (Susa), one out of the three capitals of the Persian Empire. Hadassah was an orphaned Jewish girl, who was also called Esther and was entrusted to her Jewish relative, Mordecai a political activist also was a gatekeeper for the king. King Xerxes of Persia became offended with his queen Vashti wanted to replace her. Mordecai convinces Esther to offer herself. King made Esther her queen. Now Haman the minister to the Persian king plotted to eradicate the Jewish race. Esther put her life at risk and planned to save Jews. She arranged a banquet and requested King. She revealed many things about the wickedness of Haman and the righteousness of Mordecai. King got annoyed with Haman and Haman himself got doomed. This book also gives us the origin of the Feast of Purim, which celebrates God’s goodness in delivering the Jews from Haman. It is a literary masterpiece that reveals much about God, though God is mysteriously omitted from the book. It was read at the Feast of Purim to commemorate the great deliverance of the Jewish nation brought about by God through Esther. Jews today still read Esther during Purim.
CHAPTER WISE SUMMARY:
Chapter# 1 – King Ahasuerus ruled Persia. Banquet at Shushan. Asked Queen Vashti to come. Queen Vashti Refuses The King’s Request. Xerxes angry and removed her from the palace
Chapter# 2 – The search for a new queen. Esther was chosen as queen. A Plot Against The King. Mordecai saved Xerxes’ life
Chapter# 3 – Haman promoted by the king. Mordecai would not bow to Haman. Haman asked to destroy the Jews. King approved
Chapter# 4 – Mordecai asked Esther to plead with the king. Mordecai informed Esther of law and advised her to speak with the king. Esther said, “Hold a fast. I will go to the king against the law, and if I die, I die.
Chapter# 5 – Esther won the favor of King. Arranged a banquet for king & Haman. Haman’s anger, arrogance and plan against Mordecai.
Chapter# 6 – King came to know that Mordecai had saved the king before. But was not rewarded. Mordecai honored by the king
Chapter# 7 – Esther Revealed King Haman’s Plot to kill Jews. Xerxes commanded Haman to be hung.
Chapter# 8 – Mordecai Is Promoted. Esther has given Haman’s property. Esther pleaded with the king for Jews. Accepted by King. Mordecai sent letters to the provinces allowing the Jews to defend themselves.
Chapter# 9 – The Jews Destroy Their Enemies. Killed 75000 enemies. Haman’s sons hung. The Feast Of Purim declared as an annual festival. The origins & reasons of the feast of Purim.
Chapter# 10 – King’s empire is strong. Mordecai was second only to King.
