Esther- Xerxes Jewel, His Queen Threatened?

By Mary Vee
Esther 7

From Xerxes Journal

Photo Courtesy

I am Xerxes, king of all the Babylonian empire. 

Esther, my queen, whom I chose from all the young women in the land, invited me to this banquet in my honor.  It was the second day in a row that she has done this. In truth, she pleased me greatly. 

All that she did honored me as king.

She even invited the man I placed second in rank in the empire. 

When we finished our meal I asked her what she wanted, offering her anything up to half the kingdom. It took a few moments for her to finally answer me. She is a humble woman.

Finally, she took a breath and said, "If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life--this is my petition."

What? Grant her life? How could she possibly think her life had been threatened? She looked so afraid to say more. I waited for her to compose herself and finish her message, giving her my full attention.

She said, "And spare my people--this is my request."

Her people? I'm confused. Who are her people?  

She continued, "For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king."

This is news to me. Why didn't I know someone threatened my queen? She looked down at the table, afraid to keep eye contact with me. My jewel. My queen. I had to know who caused her this sorrow.

I asked, "Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?"

She pressed her shoulders back and raised her chin ready to give me the answer in all truth. She said, "The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman."

What? I couldn't believe my ears. Haman? Anger raged inside of me. Haman had threatened my queen? I got up, leaving my wine on the table and went into the palace garden. I had to be alone to think this through. My queen. My precious jewel threatened by the man who had pleased me enough to be made second in all my kingdom?

How could this happen? Was this truth? I had to get away and walk by myself to think this through. This was supposed to be a great evening, and now it is all ruined.


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. Why did Xerxes offer Esther in return for the wonderful meal?
2. What did Esther ask the king to grant her?
3. What else did she ask for?
4. Who caused the problem?
5. Why was the king confused?



As a reminder, Haman dislikes Mordecai because Mordecai the Jew feels he should only bow down to the living God. Haman wants Mordecai to bow down to him.