King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Chapters: Esther 1-4
Lesson: Esther: A New Queen Chosen
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Esther contains ten chapters and was written to the Jews who where in Babylon. The author of the book is unknown, but it is most likely Mordecai. The timeline for these events took place approximately 464–434 BC. The purpose of the book is to testify to the secret watch and care that God has over His people no matter where they are. What we are to learn from the book is that God uses all people in some way, but prepares those who fear Him to be great witnesses that lead them to Him, [Esther 8:15-16 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. 16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.]
We first learn the name Mordecai in the Book of Ezra, where he is listed among the Jews who returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the temple. That work was completed in the sixth year of Darius, about 516–515 BC, which means these events occurred after Mordecai had already gone back to Babylon. It all began when Xerxes (Ahasuerus), the son of Darius Hystaspis, was king, around 483 BC. In those days Xerxes summoned the princes and nobles of his empire for a great feast, a display of royal glory that continued for an incredible one hundred and eighty days in Shushan, the winter capital of Persia. When that lengthy celebration ended, the king held yet another feast within the palace itself, a seven‑day banquet for all the men present in Shushan.
[Esther 1:1,3-5 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) 3 In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: 4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. 5 And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace;]
In other words, this was a prideful display of his achievements but this was no ordinary feast; it was a season of indulgence, drinking, partying, and the satisfying of every fleshly appetite they desired. Can you imagine living like that for six months? During this time the king’s queen, Vashti, held a separate gathering for the women.
Yet in the midst of his drunken pride, Xerxes, summoned Vashti, desiring to parade her beauty before the men as he had done with his treasures, seeking to display her as another ornament of his glory.
[Esther 1:8,10-11 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. 10 On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, 11 To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on.]
The law was intended to place the responsibility for drunkenness upon the individual. If any man chose to drink to excess, it would be his own fault, for the king’s command had publicly honored sobriety. By establishing such a rule, the king sought to restrain reckless indulgence, making temperance a matter of royal dignity rather than personal whim. However, he did not heed that law himself because he did not take it too kindly when she refused to come at the kings command.
[Esther 1:12-13,15-16 But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. 13 Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment: 15 What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? 16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.]
There is a reason alcohol is often called an evil spirit. When people are drunk, they are no longer in their right mind, they act foolishly, rashly, and with a temper they would otherwise keep in check. Such was the case here. These men, already intoxicated, were suddenly thrown into a state of alarm because if word got out to their wives that she refused his command nothing would stop them from doing the same thing.
[Esther 1:17-18 For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. 18 Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath.]
Vashti’s refusal was not merely a personal slight; in their minds it threatened the entire order of the empire. They were trembling over a single act of dignity from a queen who refused to be paraded before them. Memucan, not only suggested Vashti be punished for disobeying the kings command, but she be dethroned as well.
[Esther 1:19-21 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. 20 And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. 21 And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan:]
Now, all of this may appear mysterious and even unnecessary, yet there was a divine purpose unfolding behind the scenes. When the king finally sobered, he realized he had acted foolishly by yielding to the counsel of those men; nevertheless, the decree had already been sealed, and the consequences could not be undone. To soothe his regret and restore his spirits, they proposed that he seek a new queen, and they were more than willing to assist him in the search.
[Esther 2:1-4 After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. 2 Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king: 3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them: 4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.]
He was a king, and a proud one at that, so it is no surprise that he agreed to gather young virgins from across the empire, allowing them to attend to his desires until he found the one who pleased him the most. Yet there were just as many young women eager for a single night with the king, hoping that they might be chosen to become his queen, among them was Esther, although she was not like the others.
[Esther 2:5,7-8 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; 7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. 8 So it came to pass, when the king’s commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king’s house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.]
Esther, was an orphan, a Jewish captive, known among her people by her Hebrew name, Hadassah. Her parents had died, so her cousin Mordecai took her in and raised her as his own daughter. In the providence of God, this young woman, humble, hidden, and seemingly insignificant, was about to be placed in the very center of the Persian kingdom. Yet from the moment Esther entered the house of the women, the keeper perceived that there was something different about her.
[Esther 2:9,11,13 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king’s house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women. 11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women’s house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her. 13 Then thus came every maiden unto the king; whatsoever she desired was given her to go with her out of the house of the women unto the king’s house.]
The process of purification lasted an entire year. It involved a carefully regulated diet, physical conditioning, and treatments for the skin, everything designed to present the most flawless appearance, the kind of beauty that would appeal to the king’s desires. It was a long season of preparation, shaping each young woman into what the empire considered worthy of royal attention. Even when told that she could use any jewels, fancy clothes, perfumes, and makeup to present herself to the king she kept it simple.
[Esther 2:15-17 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her. 16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.]
Xerxes, saw in Esther something he had never seen before, not even in Vashti. She did not attempt to impress him with jewels, wealth, or outward display. She stood before him as the modest, disciplined woman she had been raised to be. Her beauty was not merely in appearance, but in the quiet strength and dignity of her character. The reason so many women get treated as nothing more than a man’s play toy is because they do not see themselves as anything more than that. Women, who have respect for themselves always gain the grace and favor of God and man, [Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.]
As Esther settled into life as queen, she had no idea that her true purpose was about to unfold. The turning point came when Mordecai uncovered a plot by two of the king’s servants who sought to assassinate Xerxes. Mordecai immediately made the matter known to Esther, and she in turn brought the warning to the king, faithfully reporting the conspiracy just as Mordecai had instructed her.
[Esther 2:20-23 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. 21 In those days, while Mordecai sat in the king’s gate, two of the king’s chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai’s name. 23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the king.]
Mordecai, was not yet ready for Esther to reveal that she was a Jew. He understood that the timing of such a disclosure must be guided by wisdom, not impulse. Having this incident recorded in the chronicles of the king would prove to be of great importance, for it would one day become the very means by which Mordecai’s life was spared. God, was already arranging the steps of His people long before they realized danger was approaching as the king promoted a self centered evil man named Haman, who thought himself a king.
[Esther 3:1-4 After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. 2 And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. 3 Then the king’s servants, which were in the king’s gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king’s commandment? 4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.]
The king expected the people to show respect to Haman, not to worship him. But Mordecai, who bowed only before God, made it clear that he would not bend the knee to Haman. When word reached Haman that Mordecai refused to bow, his pride was wounded, and his hatred form the Jews ignited. He despised Mordecai so deeply that he devised a plot to destroy all the Jews.
[Esther 3:6,8-9 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. 8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king’s laws: therefore it is not for the king’s profit to suffer them. 9 If it please the king, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.]
This decree was not limited to those living in Babylon; it was intended to reach every province under Persian rule, including the Jews dwelling in Judah. In granting Haman authority, the king made two grave mistakes. First, he handed Haman his signet ring, the very instrument used to seal and enforce royal decrees. Second, he failed to question whom Haman was speaking about. Had Haman openly named the Jews, the king would have realized that his assumption was false and his consent reckless. Nevertheless, the decrees went out throughout all the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces that on a specific day every Jew will be killed.
[Esther 3:10-11,13-14 And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy. 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. 13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. 14 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day.]
The majority of the people did not desire to see the Jews destroyed, nor did they wish to take part in shedding innocent blood. When the decree became known throughout the provinces, grief spread among the Jews like a dark cloud. Mordecai, overwhelmed with sorrow, clothed himself in sackcloth and ashes and sat at the king’s gate in deep mourning. Across the empire, the Jews began to fast and pray, seeking mercy from God in the face of a threat they were powerless to stop.
[Esther 4:1-4 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2 And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3 And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.]
Esther did not even know about the decree until word reached her that Mordecai was sitting outside the palace in sackcloth and ashes. Troubled by the report, she sent messengers to learn what had happened. He not only told Hatach about the decree, he also handed him a copy of it.
[Esther 4:8,10-11 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. 10 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; 11 All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.]
When Mordecai explained the matter and urged her to go before the king to plead for the lives of her people, Esther replied that she could not simply approach the throne at will. Unless the king summoned her or extended the golden scepter, she would be put to death. It is good for us to remain separate from the world, yet at times we must be aware of what is taking place around us so that we may be prepared for battle. This is why God keeps His people in the world, but at a distance, [John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.]
Esther, did not know how she was going to face the crisis before her, but she knew the One who could. Her confidence was not in her position as queen, nor in the favor she had gained, but in the God who governs all things. So she urged all the Jews to fast and pray for three days.
[Esther 4:13-16 Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.]
As Christians, we often find ourselves pressured to comply with laws, customs, and expectations that should never have existed in the first place, rules born not out of righteousness, but wounded pride and human ego. At one time it use to be a crime to discriminate against someone over their faith, but now every other religion is free to worship their god and yet we get persecuted for following Jesus. The pressures we face are not signs that God has abandoned us, but reminders that He is preparing us to stand, to speak, and to trust Him when the world demands compromise, [Titus 3:8-9 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for giving me life and for the life You have given me, each and every battle that I face, even walking into it myself, was used to prepare me for Your purpose. You have given me a new outlook on marriage and relationships and I thank You for getting me out of the situations I was in and sending me my beloved. Thank You for always keeping watch on me, even working in the midst of the world, Your hand is never too far from catching me. It seems like the more I try to live my life in Your will the more opposition I face. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to withstand this opposition and strengthen me to be able to keep going for Your glory. I know that whatever I go through as long as I look to You I will see victory. I as this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/ready-to-follow-jesus/
Read Previous Devotions: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/
Read The Bible: https://kingjamesbible.imfollowingjesus.com/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/welcome/
I’m Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2026 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.