Esther Chapters 1&2

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READING: Esther 1:1- 2:23

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PRIDE meets with HUMILITY

DAY 1 ~Read Esther 1:1-22~

NOTE: Refusal to obey the king was risky even for a queen in the ancient world. It is not clear why Vashti behaved so rashly and put herself in such danger. Apparently she anticipated humiliation of some kind and was unwilling to subject herself to it. In spite of the obvious dangers, there is no justification in the biblical text for an ancient Jewish targumic tradition that the king told her to appear before his guests dressed in nothing but her royal high-turban, this is, essentially naked.

1.) Explain what you believe the reasoning behind the decision about what to do with the queen and your thoughts about the logic of that decision.

2.) Describe the King’s character from his words and actions in chapter 1.

Sharing question: Describe a situation where someone put you in a position of embarrassment. How did you handle it?


Responding to God: Write a prayer for the wisdom to handle yourself in a way that brings glory to God when you face embarrassment.


DAY 2 ~Read Esther 2:1-11~

1.) What was the plan for replacing the queen? (2:3-4)

2.) What insights do you gain about Esther and Mordecai’s relationship from 2:10-11?

Sharing question: If you are a believer, the One who has adopted you into His family and become a father to you is God Himself. Parallel your relationship with Him to that of Esther and Mordecai. Do you measure up?


Responding to God:Write down your thoughts and pray.


Day 3 ~Read Esther 2:12-18~

By comparing 1:3 with 2:16 we see that it has been about four years since Queen Vashti was deposed.

1.) Explain the process all the women went through in the harem. (2:12-14)

NOTE: Think about this situation from Esther’s perspective. This is not a Cinderella story where she meets the wonderful and loving prince, the man of her dreams, and desires to marry him. She is in the king’s harem. Consider what you already know about the king from the first chapter, as well as what you learn here about Esther’s future life.

2.) What could Esther's life look like from here on out?

Sharing Question: What emotions do you think you might have if you were Esther?


Responding to God: Thank God that He is with you even in the darkest of places, no matter how lonely or hopeless it seems.


Day 4 ~Read Esther 2:19-23~This event will be crucial later in the story!

NOTE: That Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate apparently means that he was a high-ranking government official. It was at the city gate where important business was transacted.

1.) Reflect upon Esther Chapter 2. Write down any insights you have into Esther’s character qualities so far. Be sure to give specifics as to why you describe her as you do.

Sharing question: Consider your list of Esther’s qualities. Which of these do you need to work on in your own life? Write down any thoughts you have about them.



Day 5 ~Read these cross-references~, and relate them to the events of Esther 1 and 2. Write down your comparisons.

a. Hannah’s words in I Samuel 2:7-8

b. Daniel 2:20-21

Sharing questions: How can these truths about God from 1 Samuel and Daniel give you comfort today in a particular situation in which you find yourself or someone near and dear to you?


Consider our Precious Word from God for this week. After studying these two chapters, what do you think it was in Esther that caused her to find favor?


NOTE: All of us desire in some way to find favor with others. Yet, as Christians, we are to seek the favor of God, not people. Consider the lengths to which these women went in order to gain the king’s approval. As Christians, we are totally accepted by God because of what Jesus did for us. Nothing we do can change that. However, we do want to please the One who so graciously gave us this acceptance, which we could never earn.

Read Gal. 1:10 and 2 Tim. 2:3-4. Prayerfully meditate upon these thoughts. What in your life is not pleasing to God? What do you need to change in order to make your life more pleasing to the Father?


We can thank God that He doesn’t determine our acceptance based on beauty, outward charm, or even our works. Thank Him that we are accepted because of what Jesus did on our behalf.



GREAT QUOTES REGUARDING ESTHER "It is indeed a derisive eye that our narrator has cast upon the royal court he describes: A king who rules the whole known world spends his time giving lavish banquets! . . ." "From the satirical depiction of the grandiose and lavishly excessive lifestyle of the Persian court, our narrator turns to undisguised farce: the king who rules the whole world cannot bend his own wife to his will! . . ."

GREAT HISTORY and COMMENTARY For those who need more info!

Just for fun Take the ESTHER QUIZ!