Esther 6

Why is the book called Esther?

The Greek version of Esther has 6 additional chapters. Catholic Bibles today place these chapters in a separate section after the Book of Esther. Most European Christians used the additional chapters until the Reformation. Protestant and Jewish Bibles use only the 10 Hebrew chapters.

The Reformers didn’t generally like Esther.

Neither Luther nor Calvin wrote commentaries on Esther. Luther criticized the books of 2 Maccabees and Esther this way:

Structure: 10 banquets and a Chiasm.

Fasting

Chiasm X

Ahasuerus aka Achashverosh aka Xerxes

Purpose of Esther

Explain why we Jews celebrate Purim.

Show God working where we don’t expect him.

Esther 1: Queen Vashti Deposed

King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) holds a lavish banquet for his nobles in Susa.

On the final day, he commands Queen Vashti to appear to display her beauty.

Vashti refuses, and the king, advised by his counselors, deposes her to prevent other women from disobeying their husbands.

A decree is issued that every man should be ruler of his own household.

Esther 2: Esther Becomes Queen

A search begins for a new queen.

Esther, a beautiful Jewish woman raised by her cousin Mordecai, is taken to the palace.

She keeps her Jewish identity secret, as instructed by Mordecai.

Esther wins favor with everyone, including the king, and is crowned queen.

Mordecai later discovers a plot to assassinate the king and reports it through Esther. The conspirators are executed, and the event is recorded in the royal chronicles.

Esther 3: Haman’s Plot Against the Jews

The king promotes Haman to a high position.

Everyone bows to Haman, but Mordecai refuses.

Haman is enraged and plots not just to punish Mordecai but to destroy all Jews in the empire.

He convinces the king to issue a decree for their extermination, and the date is set by casting lots (“Purim”).

Esther 4: Esther’s Decision to Act

Mordecai mourns publicly and urges Esther to plead with the king.

Initially hesitant, Esther fears approaching the king uninvited (a capital offense).

Mordecai challenges her, saying, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther agrees to act and asks the Jews to fast for three days as she prepares to approach the king.

Esther 5:

Esther bravely approaches the king and invites him and Haman to two banquets, while Haman, consumed by pride and anger at Mordecai, plots to have him executed.

Esther 6:1–3 CSB

That night sleep escaped the king, so he ordered the book recording daily events to be brought and read to the king. They found the written report of how Mordecai had informed on Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, when they planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus. The king inquired, “What honor and special recognition have been given to Mordecai for this act?” The king’s personal attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him.”

Esther 6:4–5 CSB

The king asked, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman was just entering the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him. The king’s attendants answered him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” “Have him enter,” the king ordered.

Esther 6:6–7 CSB

Haman entered, and the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king wants to honor?” Haman thought to himself, “Who is it the king would want to honor more than me?” Haman told the king, “For the man the king wants to honor:

Esther 6:8–10 CSB

Have them bring a royal garment that the king himself has worn and a horse the king himself has ridden, which has a royal crown on its head. Put the garment and the horse under the charge of one of the king’s most noble officials. Have them clothe the man the king wants to honor, parade him on the horse through the city square, and call out before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.’ ” The king told Haman, “Hurry, and do just as you proposed. Take a garment and a horse for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the King’s Gate. Do not leave out anything you have suggested.”

Esther 6:11–12 CSB

So Haman took the garment and the horse. He clothed Mordecai and paraded him through the city square, calling out before him, “This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.” Then Mordecai returned to the King’s Gate, but Haman hurried off for home, mournful and with his head covered.

Esther 6:13–14 CSB

Haman told his wife Zeresh and all his friends everything that had happened. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai is Jewish, and you have begun to fall before him, you won’t overcome him, because your downfall is certain.” While they were still speaking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and rushed Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared.

How does Esther 6 relate to the Gospel?

Divine Providence. God is in control to save his people and the world (Acts 2:23).

God exalts the humbles and brings low the proud (Luke 1:52).

We who are undeserving will reign with Christ.