After three days of fasting, Queen Esther put on her royal robes. She walked into King Xerxes’ inner court, though she had not been called. Her life was in the king’s hands.
When the king saw Esther, he welcomed her and held out his golden sceptre. Esther stepped forward and touched its tip. The king asked what she wanted and promised to grant her request, even up to half his kingdom.
Esther did not reveal everything at once. She invited the king and Haman to a banquet of wine. At the banquet, the king asked again what she desired. Haman watched proudly, pleased to be the only guest invited with the king. But Esther waited for the right moment. She asked them both to return for another banquet the next day. Then she would answer.
That night, the king could not sleep. He ordered his servants to read the royal records aloud. By lamplight, the king heard how Mordecai had once uncovered a plot against his life.
“What honor was given to Mordecai?” the king asked.
“Nothing has been done for him,” the servants answered.
Just then, Haman entered the palace court. He had come to ask permission to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had built. Before Haman could speak, the king asked him what should be done for a man the king wished to honor.
Haman was certain the king meant him. He suggested dressing the man in a robe the king had worn, seating him on the king’s horse, and leading him through the city while proclaiming his honor.
“Make haste,” said the king. “Do all of that for Mordecai the Jew.”
Haman had to obey. He dressed Mordecai in the royal robe, placed him on the horse, and led him through the city as the king’s command was proclaimed. Haman’s proud plan had been completely reversed.
At the second banquet, the king again asked Esther what she wanted. Now Esther spoke. She told the king that she was a Jew and that she and her people had been marked for destruction.
“Who has dared to do this?” the king demanded.
Esther pointed to Haman. “An enemy and an adversary! This wicked Haman!”
The king rose in fury. Haman recoiled in terror and begged Esther for mercy, but his cruel scheme was exposed. A servant told the king about the gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai. The king’s command sealed Haman’s fate on the very gallows meant for another.
Esther received Haman’s property, and Mordecai received the king’s signet ring. A new decree gave the Jews the right to gather and defend themselves. Their enemies were defeated, and fear gave way to relief and joy.
Mordecai was raised to high office and wore blue-and-white royal robes. Esther and Mordecai wrote that these days should always be remembered as Purim. Families celebrated with feasting, gladness, gifts of food, and help for the poor. Their sorrow had been turned into joy, and they would not forget it.
What kids learn
- God can be working even when his plan is not yet visible.
- Pride and cruelty can trap the person who planned harm for others.
- Courage means speaking the truth when the right moment comes.
Memory verse
“Their sorrow was turned to gladness, and their mourning into a day of joy.”
Esther 9:22
Talk about it together
- What surprising events happened because the king could not sleep?
- Why do you think Esther waited until the second banquet to reveal the truth?
- How were Haman’s pride and Mordecai’s faithfulness rewarded differently?
- What are some ways your family can remember and celebrate God’s help?
People and places in this story
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