“Esther Saves Her People”

Bible Bits & Bites
​Devotions for Families

Season 2: Heroes of the Bible
Episode 22: “Esther Saves Her People”
Today’s Bible Bite: Esther 5-9

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JydNSlufRIs... (The Bible Project – for parents and older children)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q94wBYdMwtE (Superbook – Esther watch 15.58 to end)

“If I have found favor with you, Your Majesty, and if it pleases you, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request.” (Esther 7:3)

After fasting and praying for three days, Esther went to King Xerxes, who held out his golden scepter to her and, because he was so happy to see her, offered to give her anything she asked for—up to half of his kingdom! Esther wasn’t quite prepared to tell the king why it had been so urgent for her to see him, so she asked that he would come to a banquet she had prepared for him and his second in command, Haman. The king quickly agreed.

At the meal, the king again made his offer to Esther…he knew she hadn’t just wanted to have him over for dinner. But Esther, put off telling him for another day. She promised that if he and Haman could come to another banquet the following day, she would then tell the king her request. Talk about creating suspense!

The following day, Esther told the king everything. That she and her people were all going to be killed. That she needed him to save her. That Haman was the man who had wanted to kill her and all the Jews with her. The king was furious! He had Haman killed on a pole he had intended to kill Mordecai on and gave Esther and Mordecai permission to write letters in his name allowing the Jewish people to defend themselves against the attacks that Haman had planned. The people were saved! Queen Esther was given Haman’s property as a gift. And Mordecai was given Haman’s old job.

Think about it...
• Rather than being upset that Queen Esther had come to see him, the king was very happy about it. What did he offer to do for her?
• Esther asked that the king and Haman attend a banquet she had prepared. What did Haman think about being the only other person to attend a banquet with the king and queen?
• Esther didn’t tell the king what she wanted at the first banquet, but asked that they attend another one the next night. Why might Esther have chosen to do it this way?
• Esther pleaded with the king to save her and her people from Haman’s evil plot. What happened next?
​
Prayer: Thank you, God, that the king listened to Esther. Thank you for Esther’s bravery. Thank you for this story that reminds us that you will help us even when things look impossible.