The Strand Study Bible

ESTHER

Author: Possibly Mordecai (Esth 9:20,32) Theme: The Providence of God (in the Lives of His People - Esther 4:14) Book’s Main Character: Esther

About the Book: Esther was a Jewish maiden who, through God’s providence, became queen of Persia in 479 BC. Esther was used of God to deliver His people from the hand of Haman, who desired to destroy the Jewish race (Esth 3:5-6). The purpose behind the book of Esther is to illustrate to the people of God His divine guidance (sovereignty). The book of Esther also explains the origin of the Feast of Purim on the 13th and 14th days of March, when the Jews celebrated their deliverance from Haman’s evil plot to destroy them (Esth 9:17-19,26). The book of Esther covers 10 years (from 483-473 BC). Helpful Background: The events in the book of Esther took place between the sixth and seventh chapters of Ezra, during the reign of King Ahasuerus (or, Xerxes). These events occurred fifty-three years after Zerubabbal (and the first group of Jews) was allowed to return to Jerusalem in 536 BC (Ezra 1:1-3). Notes of Interest: 1. Esther is not quoted in the NT. 2. There are no prophecies referred to in Esther . Outline of Esther : 1. King Ahasuerus prepares for war against Greece (Esther 1) 2. Esther becomes Queen (Esther 2) 3. Esther delivers her people (Esther 3-10) Esther 1 King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) prepares 1. Note - Ahasuerus (Xerxes) was the son of Darius I, The Great. He ruled from c. 486-465 BC. and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. for war against Greece Date - 483 BC/AM 3517

2. Note - Shushan (Susa) was Persia’s winter capital and located c. 250 miles east of Babylon. Had King Ahasuerus read Daniel’s writings there in Shushan, he would have known better than to have invaded Greece. According to Daniel’s prophecy in Daniel 8:1- 7,20,21, it was a no- win situation to try and invade the next world power. 3. or, “483 BC” 4. or, “180 days; six months” 5. Esther 7:9 6. Note - Chamber- lains were chief officers in the household of a king. These seven eunuchs guarded the king’s harem..

7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. 8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. Queen Vashti rebells against the king 9 Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. 10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, 5 Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven 6 chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.

1 Now it came to pass in the days of 1 Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) 2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in 2 Shushan the palace, 3 In the 3 third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: 4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even 4 an hundred and fourscore days. 5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace; 6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen

1:3 King Ahasuerus “hosted a party” ( made a feast ) that lasted for 180 straight days. More than likely, King Ahasuerus was trying to boost morale for another invasion of Greece. Seven years earlier in 490 BC, his father Darius I, the Great, tried to expand his empire by conquering Greece, but was soundly defeated at the Battle of Marathon. King Ahasuerus, desiring to finish what his father had started, mustered up an army and navy of over one million men. Then in 480 BC he invaded Greece. Unfortunately, like his father before him, he too failed. In fact, he lost over 250,000 soldiers and some 3,000 ships. Upon returning to Medo-Persia a year later in 479 BC, Ahasuerus would seek the consolation of his harem (Esth 2:1). This is where the story of Esther begins. 792