Esther Chapter 1
Only two books of the Bible are named after women. We have just completed the book of Ruth, and we will now study Esther. Even though the name of God is not mentioned, Divine providence is to be seen throughout this book. The time of this book seems to have been between 486 B.C. and 465 B.C. King Ahasuerus was very likely Xerxes, the great Persian king who reigned during this period. There is some confusion over the names, since some of them seem to be titles, rather than actual names. Large numbers of the Jews were in captivity, and as we will see in this book, they were often under persecution and threats of extermination. (Persia is now known as Iran.).
David Parham
5/3/20252 min read
Esther Chapter 1
Distributed by: KJV Bible Studies
Email: mail@KjvBibleStudies2.net
Website: www.KjvBibleStudies.net
Memory verses for this week: Nah 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
Introduction: We begin our study on the book of Esther this week as the king gives a great feast.
A KING GIVES A GREAT FEAST
Lesson Outline by E. L. Bynum
Only two books of the Bible are named after women. We have just completed the book of Ruth, and we will now study Esther. Even though the name of God is not mentioned, Divine providence is to be seen throughout this book.
The time of this book seems to have been between 486 B.C. and 465 B.C. King Ahasuerus was very likely Xerxes, the great Persian king who reigned during this period. There is some confusion over the names, since some of them seem to be titles, rather than actual names. Large numbers of the Jews were in captivity, and as we will see in this book, they were often under persecution and threats of extermination. (Persia is now known as Iran.)
Even though Queen Vashti is only mentioned in chapters 1 and 2, she is a shining example by her refusal take part in a drunken orgy. We see God working behind the scenes, in spite of the wickedness of man, to bring Esther to the throne that she might be instrumental in the saving of the Jews.
I. A Drunken Feast Called
Est 1:1 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:)
Est 1:2 That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace,
Est 1:3 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:
Est 1:4 When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days.
This was a king which had a vast reign. A look at a map of the Middle East that includes Ethiopia and India, will give you an idea of the vast extent of the kingdom. He calls for a feast in his Shushan palace. The feast was for the elite rulers in his kingdom. All of his princes and servants, and nobles and princes in the provinces were invited. It was not a one night event, but the feast lasted for 180 days. During this time he showed off the wealth and the splendor of his reign.