ESTHER OUTLINE

 

THEME: Jews in Persia saved by Esther who became queen.  c. 478 BC

Name of God never mentioned.

THREE KEY EVENTS:

1.      Feasts of Xerxes (Esther becomes Queen)

2.      Feasts of Esther (trapping Haman)

3.      Feast of Purim (“Lots”) established commemorating the Jews’ deliverance.

Chap

Key Words

Outline

 

 

I. Esther becomes Queen

1:

Vashti

Ahasuerus (Xerxes), king of Persia (485-465 BC), entertains 180 days feast for his princes and servants to show the glory of his kingdom. (1:1-4)

 

 

King holds a feast seven days at for all at Shushan Palace. (1:5-8)

 

 

Queen Vashti also has a feast for the women. 1:9

 

 

King calls Vashti to appear to be shown off to the men. She refuses (1:10-12)

 

 

King angry and asks the wise men’s counsel.  They fear the precedent will be followed by others and counsel that she should be replaced (1:13-20)

 

 

She is removed and king proclaims that men should rule their houses (1:21-22)

2:

Esther

Esther, daughter of Mordecai’s uncle, raised as his daughter after the death of her parents, chosen to replace Vashti (2:1-20).

 

 

Mordecai, saves the king’s life by informing Esther (2:21-23).

 

 

II. Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews

3:

Haman

Haman promoted next to the king in importance. (3:1-4)

 

 

Haman is furious at Mordecai for not bowing down to him.  (3:5-6)

 

 

Haman persuades king to have Jews exterminated. (3:7-15)

 

 

III. Mordecai’s action to save the Jews

4:

Plot

Mordecai’s lamentation when he learns of the edict. (4:1-3)

 

 

Esther’s concern when she hears.  (4:4)

 

 

She sends Hatach to get information from Mordecai. (4:5-6)

 

 

Mordecai’s warning to Esther. (4:7-14)

 

 

Esther agrees to see the king . (4:15-17)

 

 

IV.  Esther’s first invitation to the King and Haman

5:

Banquet

Esther goes to see the king, taking her life in his hands. (5:1-3)

 

 

She Invites Haman and the king to her banquet. (5:4-5)

 

 

At her banquet she invites them back again next day. (5:6-8)

 

 

V.   Haman’s plan to hang Mordecai

 

 

Haman plans to hang Mordecai. (5:9-14)

 

 

VI.  Mordecai rewarded for saving the king

6:

Honor

King sleepless so he reads in the records.  (6:1)

 

 

He finds the account of Mordecai having saved his life. (6:2-5)

 

 

King has Haman exalt Mordecai according to Haman’s wishes. (6:6-14)

 

 

VII. Haman’s downfall

7:

Hanged

Esther’s second banquet.  (7:1-2)

 

 

Haman accused by Esther and rage of the king. (7:3-6)

 

 

Haman’s plea for his life. (7:7-8)

 

 

Haman hanged on gallows prepared for Mordecai. (7:9-10)

 

 

VIII. Mordecai exalted and the Jews avenged

8:

Spared

Mordecai set over Haman’s house and property. (8:1-2)

 

 

Esther’s plea for her people.  (8:3-8)

 

 

Mordecai exalted and the Jews granted vengeance. (8:9-17)

9:

Purim

Jews avenge themselves. (9:1-16)

 

 

IX.  Feast of Purim instituted to commemorate the Jews being saved

 

 

Feast of Purim (“Lots”—cast by Haman) Instituted. (9:17-32)

      14th -15th day of month of Adar --Feb-March.

10:

Conclusion

Concluding notes