The Book of Esther - Part 1, Esther Becomes Queen

Esther Part 1 – Esther becomes Queen

Esther Chapters 1-2

Esther is one of only two books in the Holy Bible that are named for women.  One is Ruth, the other is Esther.

Although God is not named in the book of Esther, it is nevertheless full of the Lord's intervention on His people's behalf, in guidance and protection. This study will not be mentioning the applications to our lives as Christians, although there are many, but will focus on the life of Esther, and the presence of the Lord, though unspoken by name.

Esther's story begins with a feast during the third year of reign of the king Ahasuerus when Chapter 1:V3-4 “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: When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.”  And then 2 more feasts  V5,7-9 “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….and they gave them drink in vessels of gold…and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. 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.  Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus”

Then, as the plan of God unfolds, Queen Vashti is deposed because of her disobedience to the king in not appearing to his guests  V10-12 "On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded....the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, to bring Vashti the queen before the king....to show the people and the princes her beauty for she was fair to look on.  But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth and his anger burned in him." Vashti's refusal to come set in motion a series of events that were in the plan and purpose of God. V19 “If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.” This leads to the search for another queen, and the Jewish maiden Hadassah, also known as Esther, enters the king’s life.

After Vashti is deposed, the king's servants think to search for "fair young virgins" Chapter 2:2-4 “Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: and let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti.  And the thing pleased the king: and he did so.” Imagine these young maidens, taken from their homes and from their loved ones forevermore.  God's intervention is here, as this search is what brought Esther, the Jewish girl, to the palace. V5-9 “Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai,..who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away….And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.  So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard…that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.  And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.”

The next thing we find out is very important, Esther does not let anyone know that she is Jewish. V10-11 “Esther had not shown her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not show it.  And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.”

This purification process lasted for twelve months, six months with oil of myrhh, and six months with sweet odors. (V12) Then, each went in to the king, taking whatever they desired to go with them. V13 “Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.  In the evening she went, and on the morrow she returned into the second house of the women, to the custody of Shaashgaz, the king’s chamberlain which kept the concubines: she came in unto the king no more, except the king delighted in her, and that she were called by name.”  So a very sad end to the maidens that did not please the king, from that time on they lived in the house of concubines where they stayed unless the king asked for them by name.

When it is Esther's turn to go before the king, we see the intervention of God again.  V15-17 “Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.  So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.  And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.”  And after Esther is made queen, there is a feast for her and we learn that Esther has still not told anyone that she is Jewish.  V18-20 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.  And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the king’s gate.  Esther had not yet shown her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.”

From the above, we learn two things about Esther.  She is:

Humble: Chp. 2:15 "Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women appointed.  And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

Obedient: Chp. 2:10 "Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai charged her that she should not shew it."  V20 "Esther had not yet shown her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

To be continued in Esther Part 2..  the introduction of Haman, his desire for revenge, the courage of Esther, and the further intervention of God to save his people.

Vcg/August 2015