Journey
Esther's courage
An orphan becomes queen, and a decree threatens her people. Follow Esther and Mordecai through the book of Esther.
People in this journey
Opening stop: Mordecai and Hadassah, Esther 2:5
The book gives her two names, Hadassah and Esther, and after this verse uses only Esther. Daniel also went by two names at a foreign court, Daniel and Belteshazzar (Daniel 1:7). Kish and Benjamin are the family and tribe of King Saul (1 Samuel 9:1-2), and the enemy about to appear is called an Agagite (Esther 3:1). Agag was the king of the Amalekites whom Saul spared (1 Samuel 15:8-9).
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;
King James Version
When the king's wrath is appeased he remembers Vashti and what was decreed against her. His servants propose gathering fair young virgins to Shushan under Hege the king's chamberlain so that the maiden who pleases the king may be queen instead of Vashti, and the king agrees. The narrator introduces Mordecai, a Jew in Shushan, son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjamite, linked with the captivity carried from Jerusalem with Jeconiah king of Judah. He has brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his uncle's orphaned daughter, as his own daughter. Esther is brought to the king's house under Hegai, pleases him, and receives seven maidens and the best place in the house of the women. She does not reveal her people or kindred because Mordecai has charged her not to, and he walks daily before the court to learn how she does. After twelve months of purification each maiden goes to the king and returns to the second house under Shaashgaz. Esther asks for nothing beyond what Hegai appoints and obtains favour from all who see her. In the tenth month of the king's seventh year she is taken to the king, who loves her above all the women, crowns her queen instead of Vashti, and holds a feast with a release and gifts. Mordecai sits in the king's gate, and Esther still keeps her kindred hidden. Two chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, seek to lay hand on the king; Mordecai learns of it and tells Esther, who tells the king in Mordecai's name. The matter is found out, both men are hanged on a tree, and it is written in the book of the chronicles before the king.
Continue the journey
This journey has 9 stops. The opening stop is free. Premium opens the rest of the guided path, and every Scripture chapter stays free to read.