Queen Esther

1 of 8

In the land of Persia, King Ahasuerus chose a young Jewish woman named Esther to be his queen, and set a royal crown on her head.

And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Esther 2:17 KJV

2 of 8

Esther’s cousin Mordecai had raised her like a daughter. He told her to keep it secret that she was Jewish.

Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him.

Esther 2:20 KJV

3 of 8

But the king’s proud official, Haman, hated Mordecai because he would not bow down to him. So Haman made a wicked plan to destroy all the Jewish people.

And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

Esther 3:6 KJV

4 of 8

Mordecai sent a message to Esther: “Who knows whether you have become queen for such a time as this?”

For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14 KJV

5 of 8

Anyone who went to the king without being called could be put to death. Esther said, “Pray and fast for me for three days. Then I will go to the king.”

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Esther 4:16 KJV

6 of 8

Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the king’s court. When the king saw her, he was pleased, and held out his golden sceptre to welcome her.

And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

Esther 5:2 KJV

7 of 8

Esther told the king about Haman’s wicked plan and asked him to save her people. The king stopped Haman, and the Jewish people were saved.

Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

Esther 7:3 KJV

8 of 8

They celebrated with feasting and gifts to the poor. Every year at the feast of Purim, they still remember how God saved them through Esther’s courage.

As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

Esther 9:22 KJV