ESTHER OUTLINE

A Ralph Johnson

 

THEME: Ester becomes queen of  Persia and saves her people.  c. 478 BC

Name of God never mentioned.

CHAPTERS &

KEY WORDS

OUTLINE

10ch(8) (Map) (Brief)

 

I. ESTHER BECOMES QUEEN OF PERSIA (chap. 1—3)

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)

 

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

2: Esther

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

 

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

 

 

II. HAMAN’S PLOT TO DESTROY THE JEWS (chap. 3)

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 (chap. 4)

4: Mordecai

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Esther agrees to see the king. (4:13-17)

 

 

IV.  ESTHER’S BANQUET FOR THE KING AND HAMAN (5:1—5:8)

5: Banquet

Esther goes to see the king, risking her life. (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 (5:9-14)

 

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

 

 

VI.  MORDECAI REWARDED FOR SAVING THE KING (chap. 6)

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 FALL (chap. 7)

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 (7:9-10)

 

 

VIII. MORDECAI EXALTED AND THE JEWS AVENGED (8:1—9:16)

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 vengence. (8:9-17)

9: Purim

Jews avenge themselves. (9:1-16)

 

 

IX.  FEAST OF PURIM INSTITUTED TO COMMEMORATE THE JEWS BEING SAVED (9:18-32)

 

Feast of Purim (“Lots”—cast by Haman) Instituted. (9:18-32)

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

 

10: Conclusion

Concluding notes (chap. 10)