1. The book of Esther illustrates the special principle revealed in Romans 8:28. 2. Review of ch.1: a. Ahasuerus, king of Persia, became angry with Vashti the queen because she refused to appear before his friends so they could admire her beauty. b. A law was enacted and published which stated that a new queen would replace Vashti (vs.19-22). 3. In this lesson we are covering the information presented in ch.2. a. Two new characters are introduced: Mordecai and Esther. b. Esther was chosen to be queen.
Discussion:
I. (vs.1) FOLLOWING THE EVENTS RECORDED IN CH.1, THE KING REMEMBERED WHAT HAD HAPPENED CONCERNING VASHTI
II. (vs.2-4) THE SEARCH FOR A NEW QUEEN BEGAN
A. (vs.2-4a) A procedure for selecting a new queen was suggested to the king. B. (vs.4b) The king approved of this procedure.
III. (vs.5-7) MORDECAI AND ESTHER ARE INTRODUCED
A. Mordecai: 1. was a Jew who served in the palace 2. raised his cousin Hadassah [Esther] as his own daughter. B. Esther was a beautiful young Jewish woman whose parents had died.
IV. (vs.8-11) ESTHER WAS AMONG THE WOMEN CHOSEN TO APPEAR BEFORE THE KING
A. (vs.8-9) Esther gained the favor of Hegai, and he showed her preferential treatment. B. (vs.10) Esther did not reveal that she was Jewish. C. (vs.11) Mordecai continued to check on Esther's welfare.
V. (vs.12-14) THE SELECTION OF A NEW QUEEN BEGAN
A. (vs.12) After 12 months, each woman appeared before the king. B. (vs.13) Each woman was given whatever she desired. C. (vs.14) After appearing before the king, the women became his concubines.
VI. (vs.15-20) ESTHER WAS CHOSEN TO BE THE NEW QUEEN
A. Esther pleased the king more than all the other women. B. Even though she became queen, Esther continued to follow Mordecai's instructions.
VII. (vs.21-23) MORDECAI REVEALED A PLOT AGAINST THE KING
A. Two of the king's chamberlains decided to kill the king. B. Mordecai learned about the plot, he told Esther about it, Esther reported this to the king, and the men were executed. C. Although Mordecai was not immediately rewarded, this information was written in the king's records [the importance of this will be seen in ch.6].
VIII. LET US MAKE SEVERAL OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE KING AND MORDECAI
A. The king: 1. was somewhat vain (1:4) 2. was morally weak 3. seemed to do whatever his followers suggested. B. Mordecai: 1. was a good man a. He adopted his cousin. b. He was concerned about her welfare. 2. was loyal to the king.
