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~Class Notes
Chapter Four – ESTHER:
To begin, we will set the stage. Turn to Esther 1:1-4.
King Ahasuerus, also known as __________________, is the king of ___________. His territory included ________ provinces.
Today’s story takes place during the _________________ of King Ahasuerus’ reign.
Read Esther 1:5-8.
Verse 5 tells us that this second banquet lasted for ______________, and included _______________________________________.
Read Esther 1:9-12.
But Queen Vashti ___________________. The king was ____________________.
NOTE: You might have noticed the mention of “eunuchs” in these passages. What are they? Eunuchs were ________________________. They were often used to guard ____________________________________________.
Chapter 1 concludes by telling us that the king issued a ____________________, proclaiming that Vashti was ___________________________________________.
Read Esther 2:1-4, then 2:5-7.
In verse 5, we are introduced to _________________________.
In verse 7 we are finally introduced to our character of the day, _______________.
Esther was actually Mordecai’s ___________________________.
Read Esther 2:8-11.
NOTE: Scholars believe that Esther was approximately _________________ at this point, though nothing definitive is listed in Scripture.
NOTE: A harem was a part of the household that was _________________ to male visitors, except the eunuchs.
Let’s continue with our story. Read Esther 2:12-14.
Esther went through a 12-month grooming process.
NOTE: A concubine was a woman who lives with a man and maintains a sexual relationship, though not as __________________________.
Read Esther 2:15-18. The king ______________________________.
King Ahasuerus held another ______________________ in Queen Esther’s honor.
In Esther 2:21-23 we find Mordecai _____________________________________.
Read Esther 3:1-6. We are introduced to ___________________.
As second in command, the king (and Haman) expected all of the people to ______________ to him out of respect for his position within the kingdom. But Mordecai did ______________________ to Haman.
By the end of chapter 3, Haman turned his _______________________________.
So the king took off his _______________________ and gave it to Haman. This would be equivalent to the ________________________________.
Read Esther 3:13-15.
Letters were sent, and the plot to ______________________________________. The king had unintentionally approved the order to ________________________.
Read Esther 4:1-3.
Mordecai’s hope was that once Esther saw the decree, she ___________________ and ___________________________________________.
Read Esther 4:9-12.
Read verses 13-14.
“perhaps you have attained this royal position for _________________________.” (v.14)
Read Esther 4:15-17. It is _____________ turn to influence _________________!
Queen Esther wanted all of the Jews to __________________________________.
Queen Esther’s most famous quote is found in verse 16: “…if I _______________, I _________________.”
Esther realized that her ______________________ was bigger than her fears. Read Esther 5:1-8
King Ahasuerus extended the scepter toward her so that she could ____________.
While speaking to his wife, Haman also lamented over ______________________ sing at the king’s gate every day. His wife offered a suggestion.
Read Esther 6:1-3.
Read Esther 6:6-9. Haman thought the king was talking about _______________.
Read Esther 6:10-14.
They told Haman, “you will not overcome him (Mordecai), but will surely ___________________________________.” (v.13)
Read Esther 7:1-10.
The king gave the house of __________________ to _______________________. And then she gave it to _________________________.
Mordecai was the new _____________________________ of Persia.
One major issue: King Ahasuerus could __________________________________.
Read Esther 8:7-8.
The king would allow the Jews to _______________________________________.
Read Esther 8:15-17.
One note about this act of war – ________________________________________
Afterwards, it was decreed by Mordecai and Queen Esther that there would be an annual day of __________________, _____________________, and __________________________. It is known as the Feast/Festival of Purim. Esther reigned as the queen of Persia for a period of about __________________. She had one son with King Ahasuerus, named ___________________. The date of Queen Esther’s death is ____________________.
Was Esther a woman of influence?
No one knows who wrote the book of Esther, but it does not mention _________.
Because of Queen Esther, we know that God has a special plan for each of us… we only need to look and listen for “the moment for which we were created.”
~Homework
For a printed copy of the notes above and some personal homework and reflection Click Here.
