Action Bible Esther

489

The king hasb� n entertaining

high-ranking o� icials for six months now!

How much longerwi� this feasting

go on?

Untilhe thinks he

has impre� ed a� of his subjects with his wealth

and power.

You know, I’m not just the richest and the strongest. I also have the most

beautiful wife in the empire. You don’t believe me, do you? No, no, that’s okay.

I’� prove it to you.

Sendfor Qu� n

Vashti!

Just you wait. She’s stu� ing.

U¡ ... your highne� ? The qu� n refuses to come.

in the years since the Persians conquered Babylon, the Persian empire has become the most powerful in a� the world—reaching from india to Ethiopia. King Xerxes now sits on the throne at Susa. To celebrate his greatne� , he throws a party for his noblemen—a big, expensive, and long party.

Xerxes’ huge party fina� y comes to an end. To celebrate, he throws another party, this one for his closest friends. After several days ofdrinking, the king begins his boasting.

A Pair of Queens Based on Esther 1:1—2:18

Redemption BC p481-512.indd 489 5/7/10 10:33 AM

490

She has not just o� endedyou, o king. She has brought

disaster upon a the men in the kingdom! Once women hear that Qu� n Vashti has disobeyed you, they wi

start disobeying their own husbands. They’ do whatever they want.

They might even talk to us! it wi be chaos!

Now if I understandthe king rightly, and I think I do, then the king should do what

I would do.

This is ho ible. My wife doesn’t obey my co� ands. My noblemen, you must help me. A� ording to Persian

law, what can I do to undo what she didn’t do?

Which is?

First, a� ouncethat Vashti is no

longer the qu� n. Then, search the

countryside l� king for the most

beautiful, young, and quiet women in the land. You can

pick out a new wife. A be� er wife!

Then women wi know notto talk back to their husbands.

And we’ have peace.

Bri iant! He’s so right.

We’ make our

women respect

us!

After pu� ling through the king’squestion, one of his advisers stands up and points out that the consequences are much worse than they even realize ...

So the kingbanishes his qu� n and sends out a decr� . “Vashti is no longer the qu� n, and I thinkevery man should be king in his ownhousehold!”


491

So the kingbanishes his qu n and sends out a decr . “Vashti is no longer the qu n, and I thinkevery man should be king in his ownhousehold!”

Now there is a Jewish man named Mordecai who works in the courts of the capital city of Susa. He has a cousin named Esther. Esther’s parents died when she was very young, so Mordecai has raised her like his own daughter. Now that she’s grown up, Esther is a beautiful woman who impre� es everyone she m ts.

The sha� ow king agr s.

When a� the beautiful women inthe land are brought to the king’s

palace, Esther is among them.

in the palace, the young women are brought before Hegai, the head servant in charge ofmaking sure a� the candidates are as beautiful as can be.

I know what wi� make you f� l be� er. We’� bring you a� the most beautiful women in the kingdom. You can pick your favorite to

be your new qu� n. And the one you pick wi�

be even more beautiful than Vashti.

I don’t have a beautiful qu� n anymore! And I can’t bring Vashti back because I ca� ot undo the new law.

Don’t be afraid,you wi� be treated we� in the palace.

But don’t let anyone know that you are

Jewish!

You girls may have b� n pre� y enough for the pig herder in your tiny town. But none of

you is pre� y enough for the king! At least, not yet. Not until I’ve worked my magic. You won’t even get to s� the king until I’ve polished

your l� ks like a jeweler polishing a beautiful gemstone.

After his rage—and the wine—wears o� , King Xerxes starts to mi� Vashti. Then he remembers what she had done—and what he had done.


492

First, we’re going to take six months to treat your skin with the finest lotions and

oils. King Xerxes can’t stand the sight of pimples.

Then we’� take another six months finding exactly the right scent of perfume for you. We’� also teach you how to aª ly makeup to best show o� your face. Then, and only then, wi� you get to s� the king. At that point, if

the king likes you and remembers yourname, you wi� be our next qu� n.

You have grace andinte� igence like none of these other girls. I’m

giving you seven maids to a� end to you persona� y.

You wi� have the best r� m in the palace.

But I mustte� you–Even

after a� my beauty treatments, the king has never remembered any

of the candidates’names.

Don’t wo� y. Everyone in the palace loves

Esther.

You’rea g� d father

to check on her, but she is we� taken careof.

Meanwhile, Mordecai has b n wo� ied about his adopted daughter. Every day he hangs around the outside wa� s of the harem hoping to hear news of Esther. There he makes friends with the guards, who let him hang out near the women’s section of the palace.

in spite of his lowopinion of the young

women, Hegai is i� ediately charmed by Esther.


493

is there anything you want to bring

with you, Esther?

Whateveryou reco¡ end, Hegai. I trust

you.

Sw� tgirl. Just be yourself with

the king. Don’t be nervous. Everyone

in the palaceis r� tingfor you.

if anyonecan please theking and win his favor, it wi� be esther.

instead,bring meback that

girl Esther to be my new

qu� n.

it’s b� n thr� years,Hegai! Thr� years of your

beauty treatments and ho-hum vi� age girls. And in a� that time, I haven’t found anyone who could compare to Vashti.

Your job is finished! Don’tbother bringing me

any more girls.

Yes, your highne� .

Fina� y, after 12 months of beauty treatments, Hegai thinks Esther is

ready to be presented to the king.

The next day, Hegai is ca� ed before the throne.


494

Esther, youare now my

wife, qu� n of a� Persia.

I amhonored, my lord.

Our plan

ca� ot fail.

I am soproud and

haª y for you!But remember, even though you’re the qu� n now, don’t let anyone know

that you’reJewish.

No, bythis time

tomo� ow,the king wi� be dead. And no one wi� know

who ki� edhim.

My king, two of your

servants plan to a� a� inate

you!

Why do you l� k troubled,

my lovely? it gives you wrinkles.

For months, Esther—along with hundreds of beautiful women of Persia—has lived in the palace waiting for the king to ch� se one of them to be his wife. The king has fina� y made his choice ...

As he’s leaving Esther’s garden, Mordecai overhears two of the king’s servants ...

But Esther has kept her family a secret. She hasn’t told anyone about her adopted father, Mordecai, a Jewish city o� icial. Late that night, he goes to the wa� s of the harem to check on Esther, the new qu n.

Mordecai quickly sends word of the plot to Esther. That very night, the king ca� s for her.

Persian PoliticsBased on Esther 2:19—3:15


495

A§ ordingto Persianlaw, what is

the punishment for a� empting

to ki� theking?

Death by impaling,

sire.

G� d! Do that.Now, my charming qu� n, how did you know about

this plot?

Mordecai, one of your court o� icials, told me. He overheard Bigthana

and Teresh talking.

You hear that? Mordecaisaved my life. You, scribe!

Write that down in the o� icial b� k of records because

I don’t want to forget it. I should reward him

somehow.

King Xerxes investigates and finds out that Esther’s report is true. He has guards bring his traitorous servants before him.

S� n after this, the king n ds to promote someone to be the new prime minister ...


496

Haman, youwi� be above a� the princes of my court. People wi�

bow to you like they do to

me.

You have honored me very much, my

lord.

That’sMordecai—a

Jew. And Jews wi� not bow to any man.

Who isthat man who

does not show proper respect

for me?

Alright,Mordecai,

your day wi� come. You wi� pay for this—and so wi� every jew in

persia!

Let’ss� what date

and month I wi� exterminate you ... aha! The 13th day

of the monthof Adar.

Haman is very proud and enjoys having people in the city court bow before him. But Mordecai refuses to bow when Haman walks by.

Haman goes home and casts lots—ca� ed “purim”—todecide which day he wi� set for the Jews’ punishment.


497

Let uscelebrate your g� d decision.

To my loyalprime

minister!

My king, there’s a race of people in yourkingdom who do not obey you. For your safety,

they should be destroyed. Give me permi� ion to make a law that wi� get rid of them in Persia.

Oh, wow!I’m glad

you brought this to mya� ention, Haman. Do what you

n� d to do to protect me.

Use my ring to seal the new

law. Theneveryone wi�

know that your law is my

law.

Whywould the

king do this to us? We

haven’t done anything wrong!

Angered because Mordecai wi� not bow before him, Haman prepares his revenge. But first he must trick his f� lish king.

Haman’s law is quickly distributed throughout the kingdom of Persia.


498

What are youdoing here in

sackcloth? Don’t you know it’s against the

law to show mourning in the king’s palace? You

could be ki� ed!

What? Why? You must go to the king and

ask him to spare the Jews.

I amto be ki� ed

anyway—along with a� of our

people.

The king has pa� ed a new law ordering that a� Jews are

to be ki� ed. it must be Haman’s doing. His people have hated our people ever

since the timeof King Saul.

I should gos� the king?

The king has onerule about anyone who aª roaches him

without being invited: death! Unle� he

decides to hold out his scepter. And the king hasn’t ca� ed for me in a month.

if I go to KingXerxes uninvited, I

face the deathpenalty!

When Mordecai hears the orders, he dre� es in sackcloth and pours ashes over his head to show his grief. Then he visitsEsther, who he hopes wi� be able to do something.

If I Perish, I PerishBased on Esther 4


499

if youdon’t go, your whole people face the death

penalty.

Who knows? Maybe you have

b� n put into this royal position for a time just

like this.

Go, gather a� the Jews in the city. Fast and pray for me. Don’t eat or drink for

thr� days. I wi� do the same. After thr� days, I wi� go to the king

uninvited. And if I perish, I perish.

Today, you must be more than a qu� n—you must be a Jew. And to save us, you must be more than a Jew—you mustbe a qu� n.


500

Esther! I didn’t invite her to come before me!

But as Xerxes l� ks at his beautiful new qu n, he decides he doesn’t mind the intrusion. He holds out his scepter to show his forgivene� .

I ...request ...

that you and Haman ... come to a private

party. Just the thr� of us.

A partywith you?

Absolutely! Find Haman

now!

Whatis it, my

breathtaking beauty? What is your request?

Even if you wanted half of my kingdom, I would give it

to you.

Qu n Esther breaks a law by a� earing before the king without an invitation—she could be punished by death. But the lives of her people, the Jews, are in danger, and she is the only one who may be able to save them.

The moment has come when Esther can ask King Xerxes to spare

her people.

Esther entertains the king and Haman in her own private garden. But she sti� doesn’t te� Xerxes her real request. Instead, she invites him and Haman to come to another party tomo� ow. Then, she promises, she’� te� him her true request. The king a ̄ epts, and so does Haman, who is overjoyed to be included.

Who Will Be Hanged?Based on Esther 5—10


501

Mordecai.

The kinghas given me great wealth and honor. And that’snot a� !

The qu� n includes me

in her private banquets.

H� h� h� ! Wait

until Mordecai s� s what wi� haª en to him

tomo� ow.

There he is. Does he sti� not fear how

powerful I am? Wi� mordecai bow to me?

Haman.

But noneof that gives

me satisfaction when I s� that Jew, Mordecai, dishonor me.

Thatstu® orn Jew!He sti� won’tgive me honor.I can’t wait to

punish him!

You know what wi� make you f� l be� er, Haman? You should build a ga� ows tonight. Then, first thing in the morning, ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then you’� be

able to enjoy your di� er with the qu� n.

Haman leaves his monarchs’ presence in a great m� d. The honor and the wine he has b n given make him very ha� y—until he leaves the palace.

But as haman walks by, Mordecai just watches him—and stays seated.

At home, Haman boasts about his su ̄ e� to his wife.


502

The scribe reads to the king until the early hours of the morning. When the reading reaches the story of Mordecai, the king inte� upts.

We� , that’snot g� d. Irea� y ought

to do something for him.

At that moment, Haman enters the court to request Mordecai’s hanging.

I’� have a servant read me the public records. That wi� put meto sl� p.

Stop! Whatreward did

Mordecai receive for saving my

life?

Ah, Haman, you’rejust the person I n� d to s� . If I wanted to honor you for pleasing

me, what would youprefer I do?

None, my

lord.

That same night, the king can’t sl p.

Oh! We� , I’d want to wear one of your robes—and ride your horse! Then have one of your nobles lead me through the city te� ing everyone,“The king respects

this man!”

I knew you’d have a great su± estion! Get the robe, and get the horse. Do exactly what you said—for that Jew Mordecai who works at my gates.

Mordecai! But I—

yes, sire.


503

As delightful as theseparties are, my luscious

qu� n, you must have had a di� erent reason to s� k me

out. I promise to give you anything you ask for.

Putyou to

death? Who would dare do such a

thing?

The king respects

this man …

My king, if you have any liking for me,save my life! That is my request. And spare

the lives of my people. By the cruel plan of a certain man, we are to be put to death.

The wicked Haman!

Angry and humiliated, Haman is forced to perform for his enemy, Mordecai, the ceremony that he pla� ed for himself.

When he is finished, he barely has time to make it to the palace for his date with Esther and the king. He a� ives in a foul m� d.


504

You’reJewish???

Please—when he comes back—te� the king to spare

my life!

And nowyou’re a� acking my qu� n in myown palace???

Your highne� , Haman was intending to hang Mordecai, who saved your life. He has just built a ga� ows near

his house.

You sha� haveHaman’s wealth because of the su� ering he has

caused you.

You wantto murder my

qu� n???

Oh, whatg� d timing.

Hang Haman on that! Take him

away!

Myrelative, Mordecai,

hassu� ered

t� .

The king storms out of the garden in a rage. Haman realizes he has made a huge mistake.

But the king has already returned.

Mordecai is relatedto you? Then he has

done me two favors. I’� put him in Haman’s place—

second in power in a� of my kingdom.


505

if I have pleased you, I

beg you to take back the order Haman

sent to ki� a�

the Jews.

Listen—the king says the Jews may ca� y weapons

to protect themselves and that Mordecai, a Jew, has b� n made

primeminister.

Haman cast lots—purim—to destroy us, but instead we have b� n saved from our enemy. I’ve wri� en an order that every year a� Jews must celebrate this day. There should be much

rejoicing and giving of gifts. it wi� be ca� ed

the Feast of Purim.

Ah! The king is on the side of the

Jews! We’d be� erbe t� .

ButI can

send a neworder!

I wish Icould. But

a§ ording to Persian law, no

one—not even the king—can cancel

an order that has b� n sealed with

the king’s ring.

Maybe I should become Jewish.

But Esther knows this is not enough.

The order is wri¡ en and rushed to governors throughout the empire.

On the 13th day of the 12th month, the Jews throughout the Persian empire gather together to defend themselves. With the help of the king’s governors, they are su ̄ e� ful. And at the palace ...

Jewish people throughout the world sti� celebrate the Feast of Purim.


Documents

Action Bible Esther