Queen Esther Saves the Jews

Esther wasn’t born a princess. She was born a captive. A prisoner, far from the land of her fathers. She also was an orphan. Esther was raised by her Uncle Mordecai. They were Jews of the tribe of Benjamin.

King Ahasuerus was without a wife. He banished his first one for disobedience. After a while he regretted what he did but couldn’t change it. To cheer him his advisors told him to hold a beauty pageant. All the pretty virgin girls in his kingdom would come to the king. King Ahasuerus would pick the one of them to be the queen.

So, all the lovely young girls in the kingdom were chosen. Our heroine Esther was one of them. For twelve months these girls were given beauty treatments. They were made presentable for the kind. Their beauty, if possible, was enhanced. They had to look their very best for the king.

Four years after banishing Queen Vashti Esther was brought before the king. King Ahasuerus immediately fell in love with her. He need look no further, he’d found his queen.

Queen Esther had to make a decision. Her people, the Jews, were in danger. The kings second in command, Haman, hated the Jews. He got permission from King Ahasuerus to kill all the Jews.

As of yet Esther hadn’t told anyone that she was a Jew. But now she had to decide. Would she save her people or watch them die?

To save them she would have to go before the king. Queen Esther knew that if she went to the king without being called for it could cost her, her life. However, if she didn’t go she would be killed anyway.

After deliberating she sent word to her Uncle to fast and pray. She and her maids would do likewise. On the third day she would go see the king. If she died she died. Queen Esther was going to save her people.

On the third day Queen Esther dressed in her royal garments and went to see the king. When King Ahasuerus saw her he held out the golden scepter. Esther’s life had been saved. The king was so enchanted with the queen he told her he’d give Queen Esther anything she wanted, even up to half of his kingdom.

Queen Esther invited the King and Haman to two parties. At the second one the king once again asked her want she sought. Queen Esther beseeched him to her life and her people’s lives.

The king was furious. He demanded to know who was going to kill her and the Jews. Queen Esther pointed to Haman. The king had Haman killed and gave Esther and her Uncle, Mordecai, permission to save the Jews.

Queen Esther was a very brave woman. Every one of us should strive to follow her example. She who was an orphan became queen. She who wasn’t in danger remembered her people who were. She who should have been killed was saved. She who was a royal leader remembered her God.

As all women that changed history Esther is remembered today. In churches, in homes, and around the world her story is told. The Jews holiday Purim is celebrated because of Queen Esther saving her people.

Sources:

The Bible

Matthew Henry’s Commentary Joshua to Esther

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