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 Map from Keyway.ca The Persian Empire covered many areas. It included the modern-day countries of Israel, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkey.
The Persian kings named in the Bible
were Cyrus, Ahasruerus, Artaxerxes, and Darius. |
Esther 4
Mordecai asks Esther to help the Jews.
When Mordecai heard about the
order to kill the Jews, he was very upset. He tore his clothes to show that
he was very sad. He put on rough clothing and put ashes on himself. He went
out into the middle of the city and cried very loudly.
[1] When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his
clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the
city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;
He came in front of the gate to the king's palace.
He could not go into the palace because he was wearing the rough clothing.
[2] And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the
king's gate clothed with sackcloth.
The king's order to kill all Jews went out to all
areas in Persia. The Jews mourned (were very sad). They fasted (did not eat)
and cried loudly. Many put on the rough clothing and ashes.
[3] And in every province, whithersoever the king's commandment and his
decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and
weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.
Esther's maids and helpers came and told her
about Mordecai. Esther was very upset, too. She sent some clothes to
Mordecai so he could take off his rough clothes. But Mordecai would not
accept the new clothes.
[4] So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told
it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to
clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it
not.
Esther called for the man named Hatach. He was one
of the king's helpers who also helped her. She told him to go and find out
what Mordecai was doing and why.
[5] Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's chamberlains, whom he
had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to
know what it was, and why it was.
Hatach went out to the street to see Mordecai. He
was still by the gate to the king's palace.
[6] So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was
before the king's gate.
Mordecai told him about Haman's plan to kill all of
the Jews. He told him how Haman promised to pay a lot of money to the king
if he would kill all of the Jews. He gave Hamach a copy of the written
order to kill the Jews. He told him to give it to Esther so that she
can talk to the king about it.
[7] And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum
of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king's treasuries for the
Jews, to destroy them.
[8] Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at
Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her,
and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication
unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
Hatach went back to Esther and told her what
Mordecai said.
[9] And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai.
Esther sent another message back
to Mordecai. She said she can't talk to the king unless he calls her to come
to him. There is a law in Persia. The law says that no one can go in and
talk to the king unless he asks them. When he wants to talk to someone, the
king holds out a golden sceptre (like a large gold pole or stick). Esther
said the king has not called for her in 30 days.
[10] Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai;
[11] All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do
know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into
the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to
death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that
he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these
thirty days.
Hatach told Mordecai what Esther said. Mordecai
sent another message to Esther. He told Esther that if all of the Jews are
killed, she will be killed, too. If she talks to the king, she can save the
Jews. But if she stays quiet, she will not save the Jews. If someone else
saves the Jews, they won't save her and her family. He said that maybe this is the reason she
became queen. Maybe she was picked to be the queen so that she could save
the Jews at this time.
[12] And they told to Mordecai Esther's words.
[13] Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that
thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.
[14] For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there
enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou
and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art
come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther told them to give Mordecai this message. He
told Mordecai to get the Jews in Shushan together. They should fast for her.
They should not eat or drink for 3 days and nights. She and her helpers will
also fast. Then she will go and see the king even if he does not ask to see her. She is taking a risk to break the law. She may die.
[15] Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,
[16] Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast
ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my
maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not
according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
Mordecai left the palace gate. He did what Esther
told him to do.
[17] So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had
commanded him.
Esther 5
Esther goes to talk to the king.
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Esther approaches the
king |
On the 3rd day, Esther put on her royal clothes. She stood in the royal court, and the king sat on his throne. He saw Esther standing there. He held his sceptre out. That meant she was allowed to walk up and talk to him. She walked up and touched the top of the sceptre.
[1] Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
[2] And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
The king asked Esther what she wanted. He said she could have anything she wanted even if it was half of his kingdom.
[3] Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
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| Graphic from FreeBibleIllustrations.com |
Esther said she wanted the king and Haman to eat
food with her that day.
[4] And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and
Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
The king told someone to go get Haman in a hurry.
Then the king and Haman went to eat with Esther.
[5] Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther
hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had
prepared.
While they were drinking wine, the king asked
Esther what she wanted. He said she could have anything even if it was half
of the kingdom.
[6] And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy
petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the
half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
Esther answered. She said she wanted the king and
Haman to come back tomorrow. They will eat again.
[7] Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
[8] If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the
king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman
come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as
the king hath said.
Haman goes home and makes a plan to kill Mordecai.
Haman was very happy that day. He was leaving the
palace when he saw Mordecai. Mordecai was by the palace gate again. Mordecai
did not stand up or move. Mordecai did not respect Haman. Haman hated
Mordecai.
[9] Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when
Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for
him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
Haman went home. He called for his wife and his
friends.
[10] Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent
and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
Haman told everyone that he was rich and had many
children. He told them that the king had promoted him to an important
job. He was more important than princes and other people who worked for the
king. He also told them that Esther had invited him to a meal. No one
else was there except for him and the king. He said he is invited again
tomorrow.
[11] And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of
his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how
he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
[12] Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with
the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am
I invited unto her also with the king.
He said that none of that makes him happy because
he continues to see Mordecai sitting by the king's gate.
[13] Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew
sitting at the king's gate.
His wife and friends suggested that he make a
gallows (place to hang someone). The gallows should 50 cubits high (about 75
feet). They told him that he should ask the king if he can hang
Mordecai on the gallows. Then he will be happy when he goes to eat with the
king and Esther. Haman liked this plan. He ordered someone to make the
gallows.
[14] Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows
be made of fifty cubits high, and tomorrow speak thou unto the king that
Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto
the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be
made.
Esther 6
The king rewards Mordecai for saving his
life.
That night, the king could not sleep. He
asked his workers to bring some of the kingdom records. His workers read the
records to him.
[1] On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded
to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before
the king.
One of the events in the
records was about Mordecai. It was about the time that Mordecai saved the
king's life. That was when Mordecai heard the men named Bigthana and Teresh
talking about killing the king.
[2] And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh,
two of the king's chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay
hand on the king Ahasuerus.
The king asked how Mordecai was honored for saving
his life. The king's workers said that nothing had been done to honor
Mordecai.
[3] And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai
for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is
nothing done for him.
Haman came into the king's house to talk to him.
Haman planned to ask the king about hanging Mordecai. The king asked
who was there waiting to talk to him.
[4] And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the
outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai
on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
The king's worker told him that Haman was there.
The king told him to send Haman in to him.
[5] And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the
court. And the king said, Let him come in.
The king asked Haman how they could honor a man who
had helped the king. Haman thought the king was talking about him (but the
king was talking about Mordecai).
[6] So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto
the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart,
To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
Haman answered the king. He said they should let
the man wear the kings clothes, ride the king's horse, and wear the king's
crown on his head. Then they should lead the man on the horse through the
city streets and tell everyone this is the reward for men who do good things
for the king.
[7] And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to
honour,
[8] Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the
horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his
head:
[9] And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the
king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king
delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the
city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the
king delighteth to honour.
The king liked the idea. He told Haman to hurry and
take the king's clothes and king's horse to Mordecai the Jew. The king
reminded Haman that Mordecai sat by the gate of the palace. He told Haman to
do everything that he had suggested.
[10] Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the
horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth
at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou has spoken.
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| Haman leads Mordecai
around the city. Graphic from Breadsite.org |
Haman got the king's clothes and horse. Mordecai wore the clothes and rode
on the horse. Haman led the horse through the streets. Haman said loudly
that this is the reward for the man who does good things for the king.
[11] Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and
brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed
before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to
honour.
After this was finished, Mordecai went back to the gate of the palace.
Haman went back home. He was very sad and covered his head.
[12] And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his
house mourning, and having his head covered.
Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and his friends what
happened with Mordecai. His wife and his wise friends said he could
not defeat Mordecai. Mordecai is a Jew, and he is being honored before
Haman.
[13] And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had
befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If
Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall,
thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
While they were still talking, some of the king's
workers arrived. They hurried and took Haman to the dinner that Esther was
making.
[14] And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains,
and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
Esther 7
Esther tells the king about Haman's plan to kill all of the Jews in Persia.
The king and Haman came to Esther's
banquet (dinner).
[1] So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the
queen.
On the 2nd day of the banquet, the king asked
Esther what she wanted. He said she could have anything she wanted even if
it was half of his kingdom.
[2] And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of
wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and
what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the
kingdom.
Esther answered the
king. She told the king that she and her people will all be killed. She
asked the king to save her life and the lives of all Jewish people. She said
the Jews have been sold and will be killed. She said if they had been sold
to be slaves, she would not have said anything.
[3] Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy
sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my
petition, and my people at my request:
[4] For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to
perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my
tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.
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Esther accuses Haman. |
The king asked who was trying to kill all of the
Jews. Esther said it was Haman. Then Haman was very afraid.
[5] Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is
he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?
[6] And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then
Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
The king was very angry. He left the table and went
to his garden. While he was gone, Haman begged Esther to save him. He knew
that the king would kill him as punishment.
[7] And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the
palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the
queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
The king came back from the garden. He saw that
Haman was by Esther. The king thought that Haman was trying to rape Esther.
Then the king's workers covered Haman's face.
[8] Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the
banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then
said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the
word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
One of the king's workers was named Harbonah. He
told the king that Haman had built a place to hang Mordecai at his house.
So the king told them to hang Haman there.
[9] And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold
also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who
had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king
said, Hang him thereon.
They hanged Haman on the same place that he built
to hang Mordecai. Then the king wasn't mad anymore.
[10] So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai.
Then was the king's wrath pacified.
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