Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Story format

Character development

Problem developed

Events leading up to the Climax

Climax of the story

Resolution of the problem

Happy Ending

Character Development

King Ahasuerus (Esther 1)

Esther and Mordecai (Esther 2)

Haman (Esther 3:1-6)

King Ahasuerus

Esther 1:1–2 (ESV)

1 Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, 2 in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the citadel,

Story starts with the King sitting on the royal throne in the Citadel in Susa the capital city of the Persian Empire.

Citadel - The Hebrew word בִּירָה (birah) can refer to a castle or palace or temple.

Here it seems to have in mind that fortified part of the city that might be called an acropolis or citadel.

(Biblical Studies Press.

The NET Bible.

Second Edition.

Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019.

Print.)

Lavish Lifestyle (1-11)

Character of King Ahasuerus

King Ahasuerus is a very powerful and wealthy King.

He is king of the Persian empire that was the world power of the time.

Not only was he wealthy, but wanted to make it known to others so they would see his glory and honor.

Great Wealth

Esther 1:6–8 (ESV)

6 There were white cotton curtains and violet hangings fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rods and marble pillars, and also couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and precious stones.

7 Drinks were served in golden vessels, vessels of different kinds, and the royal wine was lavished according to the bounty of the king.

8 And drinking was according to this edict: “There is no compulsion.”

For the king had given orders to all the staff of his palace to do as each man desired.

Show wealth and power

Esther 1:4 (ESV)

4 while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.

Esther 1:4 (NET 2nd ed.)

4 He displayed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor of his majestic greatness for a lengthy period of time—180 days, to be exact!

“The words “to be exact!” are not in the Hebrew text but have been supplied in the translation to bring out the clarifying nuance of the time period mentioned.

Cf.

KJV “even an hundred and fourscore days.”

(Biblical Studies Press.

The NET Bible.

Second Edition.

Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019.

Print.)

Personally: I believe the Author points out the extreme in the events of history to make a point.

King Ahasuerus is wealthy and desires to show off his wealth and power.

He is like Nebuchadnezzer - Daniel 4:29-30 “29 At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 and the king answered and said, “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?””

Two Feast

1st Feast (3-4)

Feast to celebrate recent military victory over Egypt and Babylon.

Esther 1:3–4 (ESV)

3 in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants.

The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, 4 while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.

Feast - feast (meal) n., a meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed: Ge 19:3; 21:8; 26:30; 29:22; 40:20; Jdg 14:10, 12, 17; 1 Sa 25:36; 2 Sa 3:20; 1 Ki 3:15; Is 5:12; 25:6; Je 51:39; Job 1:4–5; Es 1:3, 5, 9; 2:18; 5:4–6, 8, 12, 14; 6:14; 7:2, 7–8; 8:17; 9:17–19, 22 (38×)” (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag.

Print.)

This Hebrew word is used 14x in Esther.

Talking about inviting to a feast or the feast itself.

The feast was a well prepared meal (well stocked with various foods), was sought after and enjoyed, the host was to be seen with honor (especially for Ahasuerus), and usually accompanied with excessive drinking and immoral living.

Guest

Esther 1:3 (ESV)

3 in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants.

The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him,

Official/Governors - representative of the king, official; commander; district leader; person of note, head, first; higher being, guardian angel.

421× (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag.

Print.)

Army - a permanent organization of the military forces of a nation; usually referring to land forces (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag.

Print.)

Nobles - member of the ruling class of a city or town (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag.

Print.)

2nd feast (5)

Esther 1:5 (ESV)

5 And when these days were completed, the king gave for all the people present in Susa the citadel, both great and small, a feast lasting for seven days in the court of the garden of the king’s palace.

This is an extended feast for 7 days for the local people.

“This royal affair was for the purpose of conferring with his chiefs and leaders in preparation for his war against Greece.

Xerxes had put down a rebellion in Egypt and felt confident he could conquer the Greeks.”

(Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament.

Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993.

Print.)

“This was in Xerxes’ third year, or 483 B.C.

The Medes and Persians were in power as Daniel had prophesied (Dan.

2:36ff).

The feast lasted for seven days (v. 5) in the king’s beautiful garden.

Of course, there was drinking, and each guest was permitted as much as he wanted.”

(Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the Old Testament.

Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1993.

Print.)

Expectation of Obedience (10-12)

Expectation (10-11)

Esther 1:10–11 (ESV)

10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha and Abagtha, Zethar and Carkas, the seven eunuchs who served in the presence of King Ahasuerus, 11 to bring Queen Vashti before the king with her royal crown, in order to show the peoples and the princes her beauty, for she was lovely to look at.

Bring in Queen Vashti (11)

In his drunken state, he desires to show his guest not only his wealth, but his queen.

“Regarding Vashti as his most precious treasure, the king wanted to bring his great exhibition to a climax by displaying her beauty.”

(Baldwin, Joyce G. Esther: An Introduction and Commentary.

Vol.

12. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1984.

Print.