Esther-The Plot Thickens

We are now in the middle of the story of Esther- the most exciting part. We are looking at the key events of the story and how seemingly small events work together for God's purpose.

Esther: Mordecai and Haman Summary- Answer Key

The Assassination Plot

1. Mordecai discovered a plot to assassinate  King Xerxes.   He told Esther, who told the king.    2. Esther gave credit to Mordecai, so the king knew who had saved him.  The men who were plotting against the king were hung on a gallows.   3.This incident was recorded in the book of annals.

Haman and the Decree to Destroy the Jews

1. Haman had a place of honour in the king’s court.  The king commanded that royal officials bow down to Haman, but Mordecai refused to bow down. 2. . Haman was enraged that Mordecai would not bow down to him, and didn’t just want to kill Mordecai, but all the Jewish people. 3. Haman told the king that there was a certain people with different customs(true) and who did not obey the king’s laws (not true). He asked that the king issue a decree (make a law) to destroy them. 4.Haman  promised Xerxes 10 000 talents if he  made the decree.    Xerxes received 15 000 per year from his kingdom, so this is a huge amount of money! 5.  The decree was to annihilate ALL the Jews.

Esther- The Key Events

And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this… Esther 4:14

List the events that have happened that lead to Esther becoming Queen:

Vashti-- is banished

Esther-- brought to the harem

Hegai--favours Esther

Xerxes-- chooses Esther

List the events that lead to Mordecai being honoured:

Mordecai--discovers the plot to assassinate the king

Esther-- gives credit to Mordecai so the king knows who saved him

Xerxes- -can’t sleep one night and reads the book of annals and reads about Mordecai

List the plans Haman tries to make to destroy the Mordecai and the Jews:

Haman-- is enraged that Mordecai won’t bow down to him

Haman--asks the king to issue a decree to annihilate the Jews

Haman- builds a gallows to hang Mordecai

Haman--mistakenly thinks Xerxes is talking about honouring him, not Mordecai

Esther--reveals she is a Jew

Xerxes--sentences Haman to be hanged--is hung on the same gallows he made for Mordecai