Courage for Life for Women - Flipbook - Page 14
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EsthEr 3
the king’s private rooms, and the next
morning she was brought to the second
harem,* where the king’s wives lived.
There she would be under the care of
Shaashgaz, the king’s eunuch in charge of
the concubines. She would never go to
the king again unless he had especially
enjoyed her and requested her by name.
15
Esther was the daughter of Abihail,
who was Mordecai’s uncle. (Mordecai
had adopted his younger cousin Esther.)
When it was Esther’s turn to go to the
king, she accepted the advice of Hegai,
the eunuch in charge of the harem. She
asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone
who saw her.
16
Esther was taken to King Xerxes at
the royal palace in early winter* of the
seventh year of his reign. 17And the king
loved Esther more than any of the other
young women. He was so delighted with
her that he set the royal crown on her
head and declared her queen instead of
Vashti. 18To celebrate the occasion, he
gave a great banquet in Esther’s honor
for all his nobles and officials, declaring
a public holiday for the provinces and
giving generous gifts to everyone.
19
Even after all the young women had
been transferred to the second harem*
and Mordecai had become a palace official,* 20Esther continued to keep her family background and nationality a secret.
She was still following Mordecai’s directions, just as she did when she lived in his
home.
Mordecai’s Loyalty to the King
21
One day as Mordecai was on duty at the
king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs,
Bigthana* and Teresh—who were guards
at the door of the king’s private quarters—became angry at King Xerxes and
plotted to assassinate him. 22But Mordecai heard about the plot and gave the information to Queen Esther. She then told
the king about it and gave Mordecai
credit for the report. 23 When an investigation was made and Mordecai’s story
was found to be true, the two men were
impaled on a sharpened pole. This was all
recorded in The Book of the History of
King Xerxes’ Reign.
Haman’s Plot against the Jews
Some time later King Xerxes promoted Haman son of Hammedatha
the Agagite over all the other nobles,
making him the most powerful official in
the empire. 2All the king’s officials would
bow down before Haman to show him
respect whenever he passed by, for so the
king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect.
3
Then the palace officials at the king’s
gate asked Mordecai, “Why are you disobeying the king’s command?” 4They
spoke to him day after day, but still he refused to comply with the order. So they
spoke to Haman about this to see if he
would tolerate Mordecai’s conduct, since
Mordecai had told them he was a Jew.
5
When Haman saw that Mordecai
would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. 6He had
learned of Mordecai’s nationality, so he
decided it was not enough to lay hands on
Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a
way to destroy all the Jews throughout the
entire empire of Xerxes.
7
So in the month of April,* during the
2:14 Or to another part of the harem. 2:16 Hebrew in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth. A number of dates in the
book of Esther can be cross-checked with dates in surviving Persian records and related accurately to our modern calendar.
This month of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar occurred within the months of December 479 B.C. and January 478 B.C.
2:19a The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. 2:19b Hebrew and Mordecai was sitting in the gate of the king.
2:21 Hebrew Bigthan; compare 6:2. 3:7a Hebrew in the first month, the month of Nisan. This month of the ancient
Hebrew lunar calendar occurred within the months of April and May 474 B.C.; also see note on 2:16.
faithfulness in persecution
3:1-7
P R A Y • Abba Father, you are the one true God. Help me to live faithfully for you despite
persecution.
O B S E R V E • Xerxes promoted Haman over all the other nobles, making him the most powerful
official in the empire. By the king’s order, all the officials bowed before Haman to show respect,
but Mordecai refused. When Mordecai continued this noncompliance, Haman became very
angry. Because he knew Mordecai was a Jew, Haman decided to retaliate by destroying all the
Jews in the empire.
I N T E R P R E T • As an Agagite (3:1), Haman was likely a descendant of ancient enemies of the
Jews (see 1 Sam 15:7-8, 32-33). This and the fact that Jews bowed in worship only to God (Dan 3)
are likely reasons that Mordecai would not bow to Haman. By refusing to do so, Mordecai risked
his position and his life. But he would not compromise his faith. Despite the risk of persecution, we
are called to live faithfully for Jesus and rejoice in the privilege of suffering for him (1 Pet 4:12-14).
A P P LY • accept the things
you cannot change: You cannot
change the actions of others.
Journal how you will choose
to live faithfully for the Lord no
matter what others say or do
(Esth 3:5). • Commit to change:
Read 1 Peter 4:12-19, and journal
your commitment to live boldly
for Jesus despite the risk of
persecution.
Describe how Mordecai’s
example gives you COURAGE
to live boldly for Christ.
3
