Esther, a central figure in the biblical Book of Esther, is one of the most influential queens in the history of Israel. Her account unfolds during the reign of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) of Persia, a time when the Jewish people were living in exile. Esther's rise to queenship and her subsequent actions are pivotal in the deliverance of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate them.

Background and Rise to Queenship

Esther, originally named Hadassah, was a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin Mordecai in the Persian capital of Susa. Her Hebrew name, Hadassah, means "myrtle," while her Persian name, Esther, is derived from the word for "star." Esther's beauty and grace caught the attention of King Ahasuerus, who chose her as queen after deposing his former queen, Vashti, for her refusal to appear at a royal banquet (Esther 2:17: "The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti.").

The Plot Against the Jews

The narrative takes a dramatic turn with the rise of Haman, an Agagite, to a position of power in the Persian court. Haman harbored a deep-seated hatred for Mordecai, who refused to bow to him, and by extension, for all Jews. Haman devised a plan to destroy the Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire, casting lots (purim) to determine the date of their destruction (Esther 3:6-7).

Esther's Courageous Intervention

Mordecai, upon learning of the plot, urged Esther to intercede with the king on behalf of her people. Despite the risk of approaching the king unsummoned, which could result in her death, Esther agreed to act, famously declaring, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). She requested that all Jews in Susa fast for three days before she approached the king.

Esther's boldness and wisdom were evident as she invited King Ahasuerus and Haman to a series of banquets. At the second banquet, she revealed her Jewish identity and exposed Haman's plot, pleading for her life and the lives of her people (Esther 7:3-6: "Then Queen Esther answered, 'If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition and my people as my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated.'").

The Deliverance of the Jews

The king, enraged by Haman's treachery, ordered Haman to be hanged on the very gallows he had prepared for Mordecai (Esther 7:10). Furthermore, Esther and Mordecai were granted the authority to issue a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies. This led to a great victory for the Jewish people, and the day intended for their destruction became a day of triumph and celebration.

Legacy and the Feast of Purim

Esther's bravery and faithfulness are commemorated annually in the Jewish festival of Purim, named after the lots Haman cast. The Book of Esther is read during this celebration, highlighting God's providence and the courage of Esther and Mordecai. Esther's account is a testament to the impact of individual courage and divine intervention in the preservation of God's people. Her legacy endures as a symbol of faith, courage, and the power of standing up for righteousness in the face of great peril.Esther 5:1-8
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
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