Esther-King Xerxes Sleepless Night

By Mary Vee
Esther 6

From King Xerxes Journal

Photo Courtesy

My name is Xerxes. I am the king of the Babylonian Empire. My land spread as far east as what you call Iran and west to what you call Turkey.

I went to bed a few hours ago with fond memories of the day. It hadn't started out great, in fact I was convinced it would be just another boring day with people complaining and troubles popping up in the land.

To my incredible surprise, Queen Esther showed up at the door. She was stunning. Her timing couldn't have been any better. I invited her forward to speak to me. 

Hah...I am so amazed with what she said. She wanted to invite me to a banquet. She included Haman, my second in command. Why, I don't really know, but that didn't matter. On a boring day, my queen came to my office and invited me to a banquet that she had put together.

We ate at the table she prepared. Oh did we ate. The servants brought plate after plate. My stomach is still full.

I had this feeling, though, that she wanted to tell me something but had trouble forming the words. She is so lovely and so sweet, of course I wanted to hear what she had to say. But no, she proved her graciousness by not interrupting the good food or conversation with her matter. I have such respect for her. What a complete difference from Vashti. I am truly a happy man.

I thought I'd fall asleep quickly after eating all of that food. I needed my rest for whatever events pop up tomorrow. And I did. For a very short time. 

I tried everything to go back to sleep. Counting. Laying there with my eyes closed. Walking the floor. Nothing worked. Finally I just decided to get up. I called for my servant.

"Yes, your highness?" He rubbed his eyes. 

I didn't care that he was tired. I couldn't sleep and it was his job to serve me. "Get the book of the chronicles, the record of my reign, and bring it to me."

The servant left.

I had hoped that while he was gone sleep would come. But it didn't. Restlessness ran through me. My legs needed to move. My arms needed to move. I paced not knowing what, if anything, was bothering me.

I walked through my day in my mind. Maybe I forgot something. Maybe I should have done something differently. Did I judge something wrong? 

I just could figure out the problem.


...come back to read what happens next.

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sources: New International Version, New King James Version  

1. How big was King Xerxes empire?
2. What kind of day did he have?
3. What changed his bad morning and afternoon?
4. What made him so happy?
5. What didn't Esther do?
6. The king went to bed feeling...
7. When the king couldn't sleep, what did he do?

Sometimes something will keep us awake. Sometimes God is reaching out to us, calling something to our attention.