Page 88 - Advanced OT Survey Student Textbook

Esther

The book of Esther is the last book of the historical books.

Author and date: The author and the date are not accurately known.
However, most speculations seem to date the events in Persia (485-465
B.C).

Themes include: Hidden Providence and Human Initiative

Message: God is working to preserve His promises, using both hidden providence in the Persian court
and human initiative among His own people!

Background about the Weak and Temperamental King

Ahasuerus was the king of Persia who chose Esther as his queen. He has been identified with the
celebrated Xerxes I (486 – 465 B.C.), the fourth major king of the Persian dynasty. Shortly after the
outset of his reign, Xerxes quelled a rebellion in Babylon, destroying the city and carrying away the
statue of Marduk, the city’s patron deity.

Xerxes is best known from the writings of Herodotus, the Greek historian who wrote the history of the
wars between Greece and Persia. The son of Darius I, Xerxes continued his father’s intervention in
Greek affairs, preparing a massive invasion of Greece in 480 B.C. Despite winning the first battle at
Thermopylae, the venture proved fatal. The Persian navy was decisively defeated at the Bay of Salamis.
Dejected, Xerxes fled Greece before the final defeat of his army at Plataea in 479 B.C.

The Persian name for Ahasuerus means “mighty man,” which is ironic, in view of the king’s description in
the Book of Esther and the writings of Herodotus. He depicts Xerxes as an incompetent and fickle
monarch, not unlike the portrayal of Ahasuerus in Esther. His roller-coaster temperament is witnessed
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in his reaction to Vashi’s rejection and to Esther’s pleas for her people. Perhaps that is why Esther was
so concerned about going into his presence without an invitation.

Commentary

Esther chapter’s 1-2 focuses on Esther’s exaltation. At end of 6-mo. display of riches and royal majesty,
Xerxes throws a lavish party for all of the capital! He summons his queen, but she refuses to attend the
banquet. (1) Worried about example, an enraged Xerxes deposes Vashti. The King’s servants seek a
lovely virgin who would please the king! Lovely Esther taken pleases officials. After 1-year of preparation
with cosmetics, she spends one night with king. Esther had more love, grace, favor of all, and was
chosen and crowned queen! Meanwhile, Mordecai (Esther’s uncle) exposes a plot to kill the king.

(2) Jews Endangered - When Xerxes elevates Haman, the king orders homage be made to him, and
Mordecai refuses to bow so Haman is filled with fury. Conflict leads to racial hatred and a plot for
genocide. With cunning, Haman depersonalizes Jews, deceives king. With the royal seal, Haman writes
an edict to destroy, kill, annihilate Jews in all of Persian empire. Haman and the king celebrate, while
outside, Susa is in confusion!

67 So That’s Why Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishing, p. 1138.
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