Esther lesson 1

Today, we begin a new set of lessons on Esther.

This book is different in many ways from the rest of the Bible. However, it is extremely important, and has been recognized as scripture for centuries. Our lesson today starts in chapter 3, but I really can’t do that. We have to get background of the book for it to become more alive to us, as the background influences the events taking place.

First, when was it written? There is no definite answer to this question. However, most think it was written shortly after the events take place. This is supported by the fact that it seems to have been written by someone who was a contemporary of the events. The details are very vivid, and many minor players are named. It is very unlikely that the writer would know all of the kings counselors, or the leader of the Harem, for example, unless they had lived at that time. The time, therefore, likely is just after the reign of Xerxes, who reigned 486 to 465 BC, between the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

As an example, if I were to write a “fiction” story about a president (let’s say, Millard Fillmore, for example), I would NOT know the names of all of his close associates, cabinet, friends, etc. unless I lived at that time (or had the help of Google). So the author seems to be close to the events. ? Mordecai and Ezra have been suggested as possibilities, but no one knows.

There as some peculiarities about the Book of Esther that are worth mentioning. There are several texts in different translated in several different languages. (Greek, Latin, and others). Some have much more detail, one version is actually 5 x longer then the Hebrew version we have!

Also, it never mentions God (except briefly in one of the extended version). One author apparently had added that Mordecai wanted her to honor the “God of her fathers”.

It is also one of the few Books that takes place entirely outside of the Promise Land, and in fact never mentions it.

Prayer is not actually mentioned (although fasting is, and I have no doubt that many prayed!).

Although it took some time for Christendom to accept this as canonized scripture, not so with the Jews. They have always held this book in high regard, as authentic hx and scripture. One source I read said that the Jews regarded this book so highly, that they felt that if all other scripture was eventually lost/destroyed, that the Pentateuch and Esther would still remain!

Esther 1:1–4 NKJV

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus (this was the Ahasuerus who reigned over one hundred and twenty-seven provinces, from India to Ethiopia), in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the citadel, that in the third year of his reign he made a feast for all his officials and servants—the powers of Persia and Media, the nobles, and the princes of the provinces being before him—when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty for many days, one hundred and eighty days in all.

So, first of all, we must identify Ahasuerus. David Firth, in his commentary

The Message of Esther: God Present but Unseen a. Ahasuerus

Although it may not seem terribly obvious in English, both Ahasuerus and Xerxes are probably derived from the Persian name xšayāršā, with the differences stemming from the processes by which one name arrived in English via Hebrew and the other through Greek

Also, his kingdom seems to have expanded. Daniel mentions 120 provinces, now there are 127 (Esther was apparently written several decades after Daniel).

The city is Susa (or Shushan) has an interesting history. It is quite large for the time, about 700 acres. The “citadel” refers to the palace in Shushan. It was one of four capital cities in the Persian empire. Adam Peter in his commentary gives us this information:

Esther: For Such a Time as This Xerxes, Mighty Man, King of Kings!

Susa had been the capital of the Elamite kingdom. Elam was captured by the Medes, and became part of that empire. Then the Medes were captured by Cyrus the Persian king in 550 BC, who then captured the Babylonians in 539 BC. So then Susa became one of the capital cities of the Persian Empire.

Because of it’s climate, this city was used as the winter capitol.

The Greek historian, Herodotus, also sheds some light on what seems to be the same feast.

“In the third year of Xerxes’ reign was held an assembly at Susa to arrange the Grecian war”. This is almost certainly the same feast. The book of Esther tells us that Xerxes is showing off his wealth and power, and he is. But it is more than that. History tells us this feast was also a time for him and his military/political leaders to plan their next campaign. More on this later.

The length of the feast was 180 days. This seems like a long time. However, it was for the leaders of the provinces. Remember, at this time there were 127 provinces, so likely many different officials probably drifted in and out at different times. It is NOT likely they would have all left their posts at once. ESV actually states the the army of Persia and Media, and nobles and governors of the provinces attended this first part of the feast.

Esther 1:5–8 “And when these days were completed, the king made a feast lasting seven days for all the people who were present in Shushan the citadel, from great to small, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace. There were white and blue linen curtains fastened with cords of fine linen and purple on silver rods and marble pillars; and the couches were of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of alabaster, turquoise, and white and black marble. And they served drinks in golden vessels, each vessel being different from the other, with royal wine in abundance, according to the generosity of the king. In accordance with the law, the drinking was not compulsory; for so the king had ordered all the officers of his household, that they should do according to each man’s pleasure.”

The second phase of the feast lasted only 7 days. It was for “the people in Shushan”, the local population. Some commentaries felt it is actually for the people of the citadel, or the “palace people”. At any rate, the actual garden court is used for this purpose. Interestingly, this area has been excavated (diffing for truth), and the palace described fits perfectly. It was even stated that it was even possible to tell where Esther must have stood, awaiting the king’s golden scepter! At any rate, There are many pillars in this area, and the entire area described is over 60,000 square feet. The passage goes in to great detail to describe the luxury displayed by Xerxes.

Note the “couches of gold and silver”, were for reclining, as that culture would have done during a feast. Obviously, although not mandatory, the wine flowed freely! (some cultures, such as the Greeks made the drinking mandatory) It is almost certain that many of the leaders became very drunk, which sets the stage for what comes next.

Esther 1:9 “Queen Vashti also made a feast for the women in the royal palace which belonged to King Ahasuerus.”

In this culture, the men and women did not eat together. The queen put on her own feast for the women.

Who was Vashti? The historical wife of Xerxes according to the Greeks was Amestris. Some feel that Vashti and Amestris are one and the same. Others do not. Remember, he had a harem full of women, and he could make whichever one he wanted to be queen. If one displeased him, he could have made another women the queen, as he does with Esther. Adam Clark states that Vashti is a Persian word meaning beautiful or excellent woman. It could have been a title, but the way it is written, most likely her name. At any rate, it seems that Xerxes is drunk, and now makes a foolish decision. Vs 10-12 tell how he commanded her to come in and display her beauty. Note this is against the etiquette of the day. The sexes are feasting separately, so that one man would not gaze on another man’s wife. Now, he is asking her to show herself and her beauty, likely in a sensual way. The king himself does NOT go to her, but sends seven eunuchs to bring her. (Again, they are named, giving historical accuracy, and telling us that an eye witness likely wrote this book).

Although we don’t spend a lot of time on Vashti, she is praiseworthy as an honorable woman.

Adam Clarke:

The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes, Vols. I–VI Chapter 1

What woman, possessing even a common share of prudence and modesty, could consent to expose herself to the view of such a group of drunken Bacchanalians? Her courage was equal to her modesty: she would resist the royal mandate, rather than violate the rules of chaste decorum.

Clearly, she knew this could cost her position, and even her life, but was willing to make a stand. We must pause when reading this book to remember her with honor.

Again, Adam Clarke”

The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes, Vols. I–VI Chapter 1

we have few women like Vashti; for some of the highest of the land will dress and deck themselves with the utmost splendour, even to the selvedge of their fortunes, to exhibit themselves at balls, plays, galas, operas, and public assemblies of all kinds, (nearly half naked,) that they may be seen and admired of men,

For the sake of time, I won’t read all of the text. We know the story. It is interesting to note that when he seeks counsel from the wise men (also called princes of Persia and Media), that they are once again named. Memucan seems to be the leader, but the detail is given in full.

We know how this ended. Vashti was removed as queen. The reasons are almost comical as we read them today. They obviously did not want women to feel they had the upper hand. They were worried that Vashti’s attitude of “defiance” might be replicated by other women throughout the empire. Although it seems ridiculous to us, remember that in these ancient societies, women were basically regarded as possessions.

So, Vashti is removed as queen, and Xerxes apparently goes off to war. This is easy to miss if we just quickly read the text, but Esther does NOT become queen until the seventh year of his reign (ch 2:16). In between those years, history tells us that Xerxes went off to war. He did try a campaign against the Greeks, and was defeated. He seems to have come back home, and taken refuge/solace in his Harem. The nature of his wars, etc, are beyond the scope of this lesson. However, when he came back home, he apparently remembered Vashti, but she was banished, and the laws of the Medes and Persians could not be altered. He COULD NOT have her back as queen. I find it interesting that instead of choosing from his established Harem, he (at the advice of his counselors) seeks young virgins throughout the Kingdom. This is all discussed in the first few verses of Ch 2.

skipping ahead:

Esther 2:5–9 “In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite. Kish had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives who had been captured with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away. And Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman was lovely and beautiful. When her father and mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter. So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women.”

The first person introduced here is Mordecai. Look at his linage. He appears to be a direct descendant of King Saul. The genealogy goes back apparently to Saul’s father Kish, the Benjamite. Note also that Shimei is mentioned.

Is there anything special about the name Shimei?

According to Adam Clarke, this is the same Shimei that chased and cursed at King David when he fled from his son Absolom. Here is an amazing thought. If you remember the story, Joab asked David for permission to kill Shimei, but David refused. If he had been allowed to kill Shimei, it is possible that Mordecai and Esther would never have been born. This act of mercy by David several hundred years before, may well have been the reason that Mordecai and Esther even existed to save the Jews! Adam Clarke puts it this way:

The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes, Vols. I–VI Chapter 2

He was the son of Jair, the son of Shimea, the son of Gera, the son of Kish.” And “this was the same Shimea that cursed David; and whom David forbade Joab to slay because he saw, in the spirit of prophecy, that he was to be the predecessor of Esther and Mordecai; but when he became old, and incapable of having children, David ordered Solomon to put him to death.”

I am not sure how much to read into this, but it is a fascinating thought.

As the book relates, Mordecai is actually Esther’s cousin, but he raised her because her parents passed away, apparently early in her life. The details of how they died are not given. Esther, as we know, was chosen to be one of the virgins to enter the king’s harem.

Esther 2:8–10 “So it was, when the king’s command and decree were heard, and when many young women were gathered at Shushan the citadel, under the custody of Hegai, that Esther also was taken to the king’s palace, into the care of Hegai the custodian of the women. Now the young woman pleased him, and she obtained his favor; so he readily gave beauty preparations to her, besides her allowance. Then seven choice maidservants were provided for her from the king’s palace, and he moved her and her maidservants to the best place in the house of the women. Esther had not revealed her people or family, for Mordecai had charged her not to reveal it.”

Our culture is obviously very different, but in many ways it would be a tragedy (although and honor) to have been chosen. The young woman would likely never see her family again.

David Brown in his commentary says:

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 2

In the despotic countries of the East the custom obtains that when an order is sent to a family for a young damsel to repair to the royal palace, the parents, however unwilling, dare not refuse the honor for their daughter; and although they know that when she is once in the royal harem, they will never see her again, they are obliged to yield a silent and passive compliance. On the occasion referred to, a general search was commanded to be made for the greatest beauties throughout the empire, in the hope that, from their ranks, the disconsolate monarch might select one for the honor of succeeding to the royal honors of Vashti. The damsels, on arrival at the palace, were placed under the custody of “Hege, the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women,” that is, the chief eunuch, usually a repulsive old man

moving on to verse 12,

Esther 2:12 “Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.”

Why so long? One commentator states in part it was to make sure they were truly virgins. If one had not been chaste, and she was pregnant, this would have been more that obvious at the end of 12 months.

Adam Clarke had the most amusing explanation (although I will not say I agree with him)

The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes, Vols. I–VI Chapter 2

The most beautiful of all the young virgins of all the provinces of Babylon were to be selected; and these were taken out of all classes of the people, indiscriminately; consequently there must have been many who were brought up in low life. Now we know that those who feed on coarse strong food, which is not easily digested, have generally a copious perspiration, which is strongly odorous; and in many, though in every respect amiable, and even beautiful, this odour is far from being pleasant. Pure, wholesome, easily digested, and nourishing aliment, with the frequent use of the hot bath, continued for twelve months, the body frequently rubbed with olive oil, will in almost every case remove all that is disagreeable of this kind.

He basically is saying that many poor people have a bad diet, and therefore stink. (I meet many people in my practice with an odor. I have never yet seen it because of someone’s wealth or lack thereof, it simply depends on whether or not they bathe!)

At any rate, we know the story, Esther wins the favor of king Xerxes, and becomes the new queen. The Bible even records that Xerxes gives a feast in her honor called “Esther’s Feast”.

Again, Adam Clarke had a good explanation of this.

The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes, Vols. I–VI Chapter 2

As it was the custom of the Persian kings to give their queens something like what is called with us the aurum reginæ, “queen gold,” which was a tenth of all fines, &c., above what was given to the king; (for they gave them such a city to buy them clothes, another for their hair, a third for their necklaces, a fourth for their pearls, &c.;) it is probable that, on this occasion, Esther so wishing, he relieved those cities and provinces which had before paid this queen gold from all these expenses; and this would tend greatly to make the queen popular.

Chapter 2 ends with a very important story.

Esther 2:19–23 “When virgins were gathered together a second time, Mordecai sat within the king’s gate. Now Esther had not revealed her family and her people, just as Mordecai had charged her, for Esther obeyed the command of Mordecai as when she was brought up by him. In those days, while Mordecai sat within the king’s gate, two of the king’s eunuchs, Bigthan and Teresh, doorkeepers, became furious and sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. So the matter became known to Mordecai, who told Queen Esther, and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name. And when an inquiry was made into the matter, it was confirmed, and both were hanged on a gallows; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the presence of the king.”

Mordecai was instrumental in saving the king’s life. This will be very important over the next few chapters, as you know. However, there are a few things of note here. Mordecai apparently had some type of office in the kings business, or he would not have been in the king’s gate. We do not know his rank, or his exact business, but apparently his did serve the king. Also, he likely could not speak to Esther directly, as she was in the harem now. He likely communicated through one of the Eunuchs. Lastly, our version says they were hung on gallows, though some commentators feel the language actually seems to imply they were impaled on stakes, an absolutely horrible fate!

Now, into today’s lesson!

Esther 3:1 “After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.”

Just when Mordecai should have been honored, the author introduces the villain of the story. He ancestry immediately lets us know he is an enemy of the Jews.

As David Firth puts it,

The Message of Esther: God Present but Unseen d. Haman

introducing him as an ‘Agagite’ creates an immediate link to

This enmity goes back much further. One of the early battles described in the wilderness if the children of Israel against the Amalekites. This is the battle where as long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites won. His hands became heavy, so Aaron and Hur had to hold his arms up. This is in Exodus 12, and ends this way

Exodus 17:14–16 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; for he said, “Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”” “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner;”

Mordecai vs Haman is a continuation of a very old rivalry.

We are told in the first few verses of chapter 3 that Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman. At first this seems puzzling. However, Adam Clarke again describes this vividly. He was likely NOT just refusing civil reverence. He would not have had a problem with bowing to the king in the usual way of honor. However, this was likely something akin to worship. Here is the way Clarke descrebes it:

The Holy Bible with a Commentary and Critical Notes, Vols. I–VI Chapter 3

This sort of reverence Mordecai could not refuse without being guilty of the most inexcusable obstinacy, nor did any part of the Jewish law forbid it. But Haman expected, what the Persian kings frequently received, a species of Divine adoration; and this is implied in the word שחה shachah, which signifies that kind of prostration which implies the highest degree of reverence that can be paid to God or man, lying down flat on the earth, with the hands and feet extended, and the mouth in the dust.

The Targum says that Haman set up a statue for himself, to which every one was obliged to bow, and to adore Haman himself. The Jews all think that Mordecai refused this prostration because it implied idolatrous adoration. Hence, in the Apocryphal additions to this book, Mordecai is represented praying thus: “Thou knowest that if I have not adored Haman, it was not through pride, nor contempt, nor secret desire of glory; for I felt disposed to kiss the footsteps of his feet (gladly) for the salvation of Israel: but I feared to give to a man that honour which I know belongs only to my God.”

I think we will stop here, and finish this next week along with next week’s lesson, Lord willing.