Esther-Hamon's Diabolical Decree From the Grave

By Mary Vee
Esther 8

From Esther's Journal

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I am Esther, queen of Babylon, servant of King Xerxes, niece of Mordecai.

The horror of the banquet was over.

The king believed what I said after Haman attacked me. He hung Haman on his gallows then looked at me with the most apologetic eyes.

He took my hands and thanked me. He gave me Haman's estate. I reminded him of all that Mordecai had done then told him the rest of the truth. Mordecai and I were Jews.

The king summoned Mordecai and honored him again. He gave my uncle the king's signet ring. That means Mordecai had the same power that Haman once had. 

I turned to Mordecai after the king finished speaking. "Uncle, the king has given me Haman's estate. I appoint you over all his property and dwellings."

Mordecai lowered his eyes and smiled. "Thank you, my queen." 

I hugged him, and as I did, he whispered in my ear. "Remember you may have been put here for such a time as this--to save our people."

He was right. This was the best time to speak with the king about Haman's decree to kill all the Jews in the twelfth month. I was overwhelmed with sorrow thinking about all the men, women, and children who would die.

I fell to my knees at the king's feet and wept. "Please, your majesty, put an end to Haman's evil decree to kill the Jews."

He had to follow the rules. Even as queen, and even though he had spoken with me at the banquet, he still had to choose whether to extend his scepter to me or not. If he didn't, I would be taken away and killed.

The king held out his gold scepter to me.

I arose and stood before him then continued. "If it pleases the king and if he thinks of me with favor and thinks what I am about to say is the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the decrees that Haman wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king's provinces. I cannot bear to see disaster fall on my people. I cannot bear to see my family suffer destruction."

I looked up just a little and saw his eyes. Worry was there.

Oh dear. He may say no. I closed my eyes again.


 
The story has much more to tell...come back to read what happens next.

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sources: New International Version, New King James Version  

1. What gift did the king give to the queen that she in turn gave to Mordecai?
2. What did Mordecai ask Esther to do?
3. Did Esther wait to obey him?
4. When she spoke, what did the king have to do?
5. Was Esther able to finish saying her request?
6. What did Esther want the king to do?
7. What do you think he will say?