People of Esther
Who was the king of Persia during the Events of Esther?
King Xerxes (Ahasuerus)
Why was Queen Vashti removed from her position?
She refused to come when the king summoned her
What did Haman’s first decree command?
The destruction of all Jews in the Persian Empire
Who said, “If I perish, I perish”?
Esther
What feast was established to celebrate the Jews’ deliverance?
Purim
Who raised Esther after her parents died?
Mordecai
What did Mordecai uncover in Esther 2 that saved the king’s life?
An assassination plot by two guards
Why couldn’t the king cancel Haman’s decree?
Persian law couldn’t be reversed once sealed with the king’s ring
Who said, “Who knows if you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Mordecai
What unexpected change happened to Mordecai after Haman’s death?
He received the king’s signet ring and became second-in-command
Who was promoted to second-in-command before Mordecai?
Haman
What risky action did Esther take?
She approached the king uninvited
What did Mordecai’s new decree allow the Jews to do?
Defend themselves against their enemies
Who said, “Go, gather all the Jews… and fast for me”?
Esther
What major reversal happened on the day the Jews were supposed to be destroyed?
They defeated their enemies instead of being defeated
What was Esther’s Hebrew name?
Hadassah
What happened the night the king couldn’t sleep?
He read the royal records and discovered Mordecai had never been rewarded
What day did Haman choose for the Jews to be destroyed?
The 13th day of the 12th month (Adar)
What did the king say to Haman when Haman suggested how to honor “the man the king delights to honor”?
“Go at once… and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew.”
How is Mordecai described (changes throughout Esther)
In the end, Mordecai is second in command to King Xerxes, honored, great among the Jews, and known for seeking the good of his people and speaking peace. This is a major change from the beginning, when he was simply a Jewish man sitting at the king’s gate, unnoticed and unrewarded.
What was Haman’s tribal background that tied him to Israel’s ancient enemies?
He was an Agagite, descendant of the Amalekites
What ironic event happened to Haman at Esther’s second banquet?
Esther exposed him as the enemy, and he was executed on the gallows he built for Mordecai. Tried to gain sympathy from Esther, but the King became even angrier.
What happened to many people from other nations after the new decree was issued?
Many became Jews because the fear of the Jews fell on them
Who said, “Since Mordecai… is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him — you will surely come to ruin”?
Haman’s wife and advisors
What two days were set aside for celebrating Purim?
The 14th and 15th of Adar