The Beginning:
King Ahasuerus holds a lavish banquet in Susa, displaying the wealth and power of his kingdom. When Queen Vashti refuses the king’s command to appear before his guests, she is removed from her royal position by decree.
The Middle:
To replace Vashti, a search is made throughout the empire for a new queen, and many young women are gathered into the royal household. Esther, a Jewish woman raised by her cousin Mordecai, is taken into the king’s palace and placed under the care of Hegai, the keeper of the women. Following the prescribed preparations, Esther is brought before the king, and she finds favor in his sight above the others.
The End:
The king sets the royal crown on Esther’s head and makes her queen in place of Vashti. A royal celebration is held in her honor, and her exaltation places her within the center of Persian power at a critical moment for the Jewish people.
Esther’s rise to queenship shows God’s providential care for His covenant people even while they live scattered among the nations. Although God is not named in the book, the narrative emphasizes that divine purposes can advance through ordinary events, political decisions, and human choices. Esther’s new position prepares the way for Israel’s preservation, underscoring that God’s faithfulness continues during exile and uncertainty.
The setting in Susa aligns with what is known of Persian royal administration: it was a major imperial center with a palace complex used by Persian kings. The story’s court procedures—banquets, decrees, and the structured organization of the harem—fit common features of Ancient Near Eastern royal life and Persian governance as reflected in historical sources.
"So Esther obtained favor in the sight of all who saw her." — Esther 2:15
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. Why was Queen Vashti removed from her royal position?
2. Who raised Esther (Hadassah)?