Consult your Bible’s introduction to the book, your favorite study tools (like Search the Scriptures) or The Bible Project for foundational introductory information before beginning to study the first chapter.
Hint: Find the author’s emphasis by looking for repeated words and ideas throughout the text.
From a young age, I was taught to speak with kindness.
Take note of the repeated phrase in Esther 9:10, 15, and 17. Dig into the linguistics of the words. Why does that phrase bear repeating?
Look at Mordecai’s full story and compare it with David’s, especially in 2 Samuel 3:1 and 1 Chronicles 11:9.
Six years after Esther first accepted the crown and stepped into her role as queen, in the 12th month, on the 13th day, the time had come.
Compare Mordecai’s decree with Haman’s in Esther 3. What difference do you see between them?
Read this passage alongside Psalm 97:10-12. How does the truth of one provide additional insight to the other?
It had been ten weeks since the Jews first read their fate on a flimsy piece of parchment (in Shushan, at least).
It wasn’t just the contents of the decree that was written. Compare Esther 8:8 with Daniel 6:8, 12, 15. How much more does this add to the miraculous turnaround?
Read Esther 8 alongside Psalm 18. How does the truth of one provide additional insight to the other?
Esther had only gotten halfway through her petition to the king before she was interrupted by what can only be described as the Persian soap opera of Esther 7:7-10.
Go to Blue Letter Bible and look at the Hebrew word kun for “he had prepared” in verse 10. What can you learn about what God prepares compared to the preparations of the wicked?
Read this chapter alongside Psalm 94:21-23. How does the truth of one provide additional insight to the other?
