STUDY GUIDE AND STUDY QUESTIONS FOR ESTHER
Historical Time and Background for Esther
The book of Esther covers more than a decade (483-471 BC) during the time between Ezra Chapters
6 and 7, during the time of the Medo-Persian empire, under Ahasuerus or Xerxes I (see below). This would
be more than thirty (30) years following the completion of the temple under the leadership of Zerubbabel,
and more than a decade prior to Ezra leading the second wave of returning exiles to Jerusalem.
The significant characteristic of the story of Esther is the absence or lack of mention of God or religion,
other than the reference to Mordecai and Esther being Jewish. This appears to be a literary device that
focuses attention on the providential timing and intervention of God during a very neutral cultural and
religious period within the Medo-Persian empire. It is perhaps similar to the way Ecclesiastes is written in
such a negative or cynical style that draws attention to the beginning and ending of the book. Throughout
Esther, the idea of the Jews being a remnant, the reversals of fortune (or destiny), and the seemingly
coincidental timing of events appears to communicate God’s sovereign hand upon the Jews.
Important Contemporary People of Esther
The influential leaders of Israel were Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah. Zerubbabel was the leader of
the first wave of exiles returning from Captivity (about 537 BC). Ezra was a scribe (and teacher) who
returned with a second wave of returning exiles in 458 BC). Nehemiah came to Jerusalem as a governor
in about 444 BC with another wave of returning exiles.
These three waves of returning exiles roughly correspond this way — the 1st captives were exiled in
605 BC and included the prophet Daniel and his three faithful companions. These were mostly the royal
and noble classes. The 1st return of exiles (roughly 70 years later) begins in 537/536 BC. There was a 2nd
wave of captives taken in 597 BC. The 3rd wave of captivity took place in 586 BC when both the Temple and
the city of Jerusalem were destroyed. This is recorded by and during the ministry of the prophet Jeremiah.
This corresponds to the completion of the temple in 516 BC, which was begun in response to Cyrus’ decree
to rebuild the temple in 536 BC, and restarted under Zerubbabel’s leadership in 520 BC, and corresponds
to Haggai’s prophecies.
The kings of Persia who ruled over the Jews (in a worldwide empire) would be Cyrus (539-530 BC),
Cambyses (530-522 BC), Darius I (522-486 BC), Xerxes I also called Ahasuerus (486-464 BC), Artaxerxes
I (465–424 BC), Possibly Xerxes II (424 BC), and Darius II (423-404 BC).
[See the NIV Study Bible time-line chart within the book of Esther and see the following website —
http://www.biblica.com/niv/studybible/esther.php
Esther Study Guide & Questions — Copyright Dec/Jan 2009 — TK — page 1
STUDY QUESTIONS FOR THE BOOK OF ESTHER
Chapter 1
1. How does the story of Esther begin in Chapter 1? What are the high and low points?
2. What is the major concern of the king and his princes in this chapter?
a. In what way do they try to resolve the situation they see as a problem?
Chapter 2
3. How does the story continue in Chapter 2?
a. What do Xerxes and his advisors set in motion, and how is it to be done?
4. Who are introduced as new characters in the story (in this chapter)? What do they keep “secret”?
5. What important situation is discovered and reported? What is the outcome of all this?
Chapter 3
6. What new character is introduced into the story in Chapter 3? What is told about him?
7. With whom does he develop a conflict? What does it seem to involve?
a. What action does this conflict lead to?
Chapter 4
8. What does Mordecai do in response to what takes place at the end of Chapter 3?
a. Why do you think he does this? What does Esther do when she hears about Mordecai?
9. What communications take place between Mordecai and Esther? How does it progress?
10.
What does Mordecai tell Esther in verses 13-14?
a. What is Esther’s reply, request and commitment in answer to Mordecai?
Chapter 5
11.
What does Esther do at the beginning of Chapter 5? What possible consequence awaits her?
a. How does the king respond to her? What does she request from the king initially?
b. What does Esther request of the king after her first request is granted?
12.
What is said about Haman at the end of this chapter?
a. What is he glad about? What is he angry about?
13.
What do Haman’s wife and friends suggest he do concerning Mordecai?
14.
What has the Lord shown you or spoken to you about through these chapters?
a. Is there anything in particular that could be applied in your own life from this story?
b. If so, what specific life application could be made?
Esther Study Guide & Questions — Copyright Dec/Jan 2009 — TK — page 2
STUDY QUESTIONS FOR THE BOOK OF ESTHER
Chapters 6–7
1. What takes place at the beginning of Chapter 6 and becomes a turning point in the story?
a. What did the king find out and what question does he ask?
2. Who does the king seek advice from? Does he tell this person why the king seeks his advice?
a. Who does this person think the king wants to honor? What is the actual situation?
3. How would you describe the situation of verses 1-9?
a. What advice does Haman give the king and why?
4. How do you think Haman feels about this situation once he realizes the intention of the king?
a. What verse gives insight into Haman’s thoughts and emotions?
5. What do Haman’s friends (wise men) and wife tell him about how things are unfolding?
a. How is this different than what they tell him in Chapter 5?
6. What life applications can be made from what is seen in Chapter 6?
a. What does the example of Haman speak to you about?
7. What happens at the end of Chapter 6 and beginning of 7 that brings the story to a new stage?
a. Who is involved with this part of the story?
8. What is Queen Esther’s “petition and request”?
a. What does she tell the king in explanation of her petition?
b. What is the king’s response? What is Esther’s?
9. How does the king react to this new information given by Esther?
a. What is the following response and action of Haman?
10.
How does Chapter 7 close? What is the great irony in all of this?
a. What spiritual truth comes to your mind with this great reversal taking place?
Chapters 8–10
11.
What takes place following the hanging of Haman?
a. How is this a further unfolding of this great reversal in the story?
12.
What further issue is still unresolved? How does Esther bring this to the kings’ attention?
a. What is Esther’s appeal to the king and what is his response?
13.
What is decided upon and put into action to resolve this dangerous situation?
a. What other great reversal takes place at the end of Chapter 8?
14.
What takes place in Chapter 9 that shows how great a reversal this is?
a. What feast of the Jews is established and why is it celebrated even to this day?
15.
How does the story end in Chapter 10 that shows how God’s hand was upon the Jews?
a. What does Mordecai’s position enable him to do and how can this be a personal application?
Esther Study Guide & Questions — Copyright Dec/Jan 2009 — TK — page 3