Esther Chapter 1
Please read: Esther 1 –
Throughout the pages of this book, you will find the story of how God used a woman to be the instrument to accomplish His purposes. You will learn how He protected His people, Israel. However, you will not find His name mentioned, only the story of a woman who had great faith in her God. Esther was one of the Jews who did not return to the promised land when the exiles were set free. She was living within the Persian empire.
The story begins with a king who becomes dismayed with his own queen when she would not do his bidding. We know in reading this chapter that what the king wanted of Queen Vashti was insulting and degrading to her. He wanted to show his wife off as a sex object that performed on his command. She was just another object in his great stack of wealth to show off to anyone who would take notice.
Let's Reflect
1. What was it that King Ahasuerus wanted the queen to do for him?
2. How big was this man’s kingdom? How long did it take him to show off all his riches to those he invited to come to see his palace?
3. The king then held a feast or a party to celebrate himself. The people were allowed to drink as much or as little as they wanted. How long did the feast last?
4. Notice that only the men were invited to this feast. What was Queen Vashti doing while the men feasted?
5. When the king asked for the queen to come before the men attending his feast, how did he send for her to come?
6. When she refused to come the king became angry and his men started to try to make up laws of judgement that could be passed against the queen. What did they say would be the concern of the men if there were not some sort of official punishment for the queen?
7. Letters were sent out all over the kingdom with the official verdict that Queen Vashti could never appear before the king again, and that she must give up her title as queen. How did King Ahasuerus feel about this decision?
