The story of Esther is set in the times when Israel was still in exile in Babylon, in a town called Shushan, in the same period as the writings of Nehemiah.
King Ahasuerus, who was overall leader at the time, put on a big feast for all the leaders of the then many provinces he ruled over. During the feast he wished for his wife Vashti to show herself to everyone because of her beauty, but she refused.
Once the king’s anger had abated, one of the servants who worked in the palace suggested to him he looks out for another lady of great beauty to take his wife’s place, to which he agreed.
Working in the king’s court was a Jew named Mordecai, who had fostering his uncles daughter Esther, for she had lost both her parents. Mordecai sent Ester to become one of the seven ladies put forward as a potential candidate for the new queen. As Esther was a Jew Mordecai gave her strict instructions to keep her nationality secret.
For twelve months the ladies were put through a ceremonious period of beauty treatment, before being presented to the king for him to pick one as queen. After the initial 9 months of beauty treatment she was allowed her first audience with the king who liked her and fell in love with her eventually becoming his new queen.
Around the time that Esther became queen the King appointed a new ruler Haman over all the provinces. Once Haman took power he ordered everyone to pay homage each time they met him, but Mordecai refused.
Haman was furious and together with the help of his wife put to the king that a decree were issued that Mordecai be killed, but not only Mordecai but all Mordecai s fellow country men the Jews, throughout all the provinces.
When Mordecai heard the shocking news he immediately sent news to Esther. Esther sent a message back to Mordecai asking him and all the Jewish people on a certain day to hold a day of fasting, with Esther and her aids agreeing to fast also.
On that certain day Esther made a request to have audience with the king and Haman only, to disclose the circumstances around the potential extermination of the Jews.
The king immediately ordered for Haman to be executed on the gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordecai, and so the nation of Israel was saved.
Further writing will be given to the book at a later date.
