About This Book
Esther recounts the dramatic deliverance of the Jewish people from genocide in Persia, though God's name is never explicitly mentioned. The story begins with King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) deposing Queen Vashti for refusing his summons during a drunken feast. A kingdom-wide search for a new queen brings beautiful young women to the palace, including Esther, a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai. Esther conceals her Jewish identity as advised by Mordecai.
The king chooses Esther as queen, unaware of her ethnicity. Mordecai uncovers and reports an assassination plot, saving the king's life, though he receives no immediate recognition. Haman, an Agagite promoted to the highest position, demands everyone bow to him. Mordecai refuses on grounds of his Jewish faith, enraging Haman, who plots to destroy not just Mordecai but all Jews throughout the empire.
Haman manipulates the king into issuing an irrevocable decree authorizing genocide on a specific date, chosen by casting lots (purim). When Mordecai learns of this, he mourns and charges Esther to appeal to the king, though approaching unsummoned risks death. Mordecai challenges Esther that perhaps she came to royal position 'for such a time as this.' Esther courageously risks her life, appearing before the king who graciously receives her. Through wise strategy, Esther exposes Haman's plot at a banquet.
The king, learning of the threat to his queen and her people, and discovering that Mordecai's loyalty went unrewarded, orders Haman hanged on gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai. Though the genocide decree cannot be revoked, the king authorizes Jews to defend themselves. The Jews triumph over their enemies, establishing the festival of Purim to commemorate this deliverance, demonstrating God's providential care.