Written by Mordecai in Shushan, Elam. The writing was completed c. 475 B.C.E. The time covered is from 493 to c. 475 B.C.E.
King Ahasuerus’ banquet at Shushan (1-9)
Queen Vashti refuses to obey (10-12)
King consults with his wise men (13-20)
King’s decree sent out (21, 22)
The search for a new queen (1-14)
Esther becomes queen (15-20)
Mordecai exposes a plot (21-23)
Haman exalted by the king (1-4)
Haman plots to destroy the Jews (5-15)
Haman payed from is own pocket 10,000 silver talents (weight 34.2 kg) to finance the destruction of the Jews. That’s 342,000 kilogram silver, worth 253,764,000 USD (2023/09/13 $742 per kg).
Mordecai mourns (1-5)
Mordecai asks Esther to intercede (6-17)
from workbook September-October 2023
ASK YOURSELF, ‘Do my words and actions help others in the congregation to reach their full potential?’
Like Esther and Mordecai of old, Jehovah’s people today fight for the freedom to worship Jehovah in the way that he has commanded. (Esther 4:13-16) Can you have a part? Yes. You can pray regularly for your spiritual brothers and sisters who are currently suffering on account of legal injustices. Such prayers can be a powerful aid to our brothers and sisters under hardship and persecution. (Read James 5:16.) Does Jehovah act on such prayers? Our victories in court suggest that he certainly does!—Heb. 13:18, 19.
Esther appears before the king (1-8)
Haman’s anger and arrogance (9-14)
Mordecai honored by the king (1-14)
Esther exposes Haman (1-6a)
Haman hanged on the stake he made (6b-10)
Mordecai promoted (1, 2)
Esther pleads with the king (3-6)
King’s counterdecree (7-14)
Relief and rejoicing for the Jews (15-17)
Triumph of the Jews (1-19)
Festival of Purim established (20-32)
Mordecai’s greatness (1-3)