1

The hangman

(Courage – Providence – Justice)

Background

Queen Veshti’s refusal to display herself before the king’s drunken guest incited the wrath of king Ahasuerus (Esther 1:10-12). The wise men counsel king Ahasuerus to punish her lest the other women might be encouraged to be disrespectful to their husbands (Esther 1:15-22).

Question: Is refusing to display oneself in front of a drunken crowd disrespectful or moral correctness? ______

The door is open for a new queen and the stage is set for the preservation of the Jewish nation. The king is looking for a fair young virgin (Esther 2:2), and after a lengthy process Esther is loved above all the women and Ahasuerus makes her queen in Veshti’s place (Esther 2:5-17). That Esther was a Jew remained (at Mordecai’s request) unmentioned (Esther 2:10; 20).

  1. Who did Ahasuerus set above the others (Esther 3:1)? ______
  2. Who refused to bow before him (Esther 3:2)? ______
  3. How did Haman react (Esther 3-5)? ______
  4. Would the death of Mordecai satisfy his anger (Esther 3:6)? ______
  5. What plot did Haman hatch (Esther 3:8-15)? ______
    ______
  6. How much did Haman offer the king to slay the Jews (Esther 3:9; 4:7)? ______
  7. What was the relationship between Mordecai and Esther (Esther 2:7)? ______
  8. When was Mordecai taken into captivity (Esther 2:6; II Kings 24:6-16)? ______
  9. What did Mordecai do when he learned of Haman’s plot (Esther 4:1)? ______
  10. What message did Mordecai send to Esther (Esther 4:8-9)? ______
    ______
  11. What message did Esther send back (Esther 4:10-12)? ______
    ______
  12. What did Mordecai remind Esther of ______, and what did he suggest concerning the providence of God (Esther 4:14)? ______
    ______
  13. How did Esther answer (Esther 4:15-16)? ______
    ______
  14. How many days pass (Esther 5:1)? ______
  15. What did the king do when he saw Esther (Esther 5:2-3)? ______
    ______
  16. What does Esther request (Esther 5:4-8)? ______
    ______
  17. How does Haman feel about the invitation (Esther 5:9-13)? ______
    ______
  18. Does the sight of Mordecai ruin his frame of mind? ______
  19. What does Haman prepare (Esther 5:14)? ______
    ______
  20. When the king cannot sleep what does he request (Esther 6:1)? ______
    ______
  21. What did he find (Esther 6:2-3; 2:21-23)? ______
    ______
  22. Why was Haman in the outward court of the king’s house (Esther 6:4)? ______
    ______
  23. The king said “What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?” Who did Haman think the king was referring to (Esther6:5-9)? ______
  24. Who did the king speak of (Esther 6:10)? ______
  25. What was Haman instructed to do (Esther 6:10-11)? ______
    ______
  26. When Mordecai was brought to the king’s gate what did Haman do (Esther 6:12)? ______
  27. What did his counselors tell him (Esther 6:13)? ______
  28. What charges did Haman face at the banquet (Esther 7:1-6)? ______
    ______
  29. What desperate action did Haman take (Esther 7:7-8)? ______
    ______
  30. What happened to Haman (Esther 7:10)? ______
    ______
  31. Can evil outlive the person (Esther 8:5-6)? ______
  32. Could king Ahasuerus reverse the decree given to Haman (Esther 8:7-8 See Daniel 6:8)? ______
  33. What did the king give them permission to do (Esther 8:10-14)? ______
    ______
  34. What feast was set as a remembrance of their deliverance (Esther 9:26-32)? ______

Thought questions

  1. Can civil power be used for both good and evil? ______
    ______
  2. What New Testament chapter addresses civil government? ______
  3. When the king gave the Jews permission to defend themselves, he also gave them permission to take the spoils (Esther 8:11). Why didn’t they (Esther 9:10; 15; 16)? ______
  4. Where does anger and hate often lead (Esther 3:5; Genesis 4:3-8; I John 3:11-12)? ______