CHAPTER ONE

Contents: Ahasuerus' great feast and the story of Vashti.

Characters: Ahasuerus, Vashti, Memucan, Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena.

Conclusion: Better is a dinner of herbs with quietness than the banquet of wine with its tumult and the sin sure to result from it. When wine is in, wit is out.

Key Word: Feast, v. 9.

Striking Facts: v. 12. Whether or not it was the part of wisdom for Vashti to deny obedience to the king, or that the king was ruled by passion, the incident served God's providence making way for Esther to the crown.

CHAPTER TWO

Contents: Esther made queen.

Characters: Ahasuerus, Mordecai, Esther, Hegai, Bigthan, Teresh, Shaashgaz.

Conclusion: God sometimes raises up the poor out of the dust to set themamong princes. Those who make sure of God's favour usually find favor with man, at least so far as it is good for them.

Key Word: Chosen, v. 17.

Striking Facts: v. 3. To what absurd practices do those come who are destitute of the Word of God and given up to their vile affections. It is the Gospel of Christ alone that can purify men from such lusts of the flesh.

CHAPTER THREE

Contents: Conspiracy of Haman. The king's decree to destroy the Jews.

Characters: Ahasuerus, Haman, Mordecai.

Conclusion: Though religion in no way stands in the way of good manners, but teaches us to render honor to whom honor is due, yet it is the character of a Christian not to hypocritically express respect for one known to be a vile person, merely because he occupies a place of authority. However threatened, it behooves the Christian to be true to conscience, if he is sure his conscience is enlightened by the Holy Spirit.

Key Word: Decree, v. 14.

Strong Verses:   2.

Striking Facts: v. 8. The enemies of the followers of Christ could not give them such bad treatment as they do if they did not first give them a bad name by malicious representations.

CHAPTER FOUR

Contents: Fasting among the Jews. Esther's resolution to defeat the decree.

Characters: Ahasuerus, Esther, Mordecai, Haman, Hatach.

Conclusion: We should consider for what end God has put us in the place where we are and should study to answer that end lest our opportunity slip.

Key Word: Fasting and weeping, v. 3.

Strong Verses:   14, 16.

Striking Facts: v. 11. We should be thankful that nothing need bar us from the court of our King in time of need, for we are welcome in the very holiest through faith in the blood of Jesus.

CHAPTER FIVE

Contents: Esther's courage in proceeding to obtain favor.

Characters: Ahasuerus, Esther, Haman, Mordecai, Zeresh.

Conclusion: If we have had power with God in prayer we shall find favor with men in the time of need, for God can turn the hearts of men which way He pleases.

Key Word: Favor, v. 2.

Striking Facts: v. 9. Those who walk in holy sincerity with Christ may walk in holy security and go on in their work not fearing what man can do to them.

CHAPTER SIX

Contents: Haman compelled to exalt Mordecai.

Characters: Ahasuerus, Esther, Haman, Mordecai, Zeresh.

Conclusion: God's wisdom and grace is seen in the way He times the means of deliverance for His people so as to manifest His own glory. As for God, His way is perfect, and let not enemies think to triumph over those who are in covenant with Him.

Key Word: Honored, v. 11.

Strong Verses:   13.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Contents: Esther's banquet and the hanging of Haman.

Characters: Ahasuerus, Esther, Haman, Harbonah.

Conclusion: Mischief is sure to return upon the person himself who contrives it. The wicked shall be snared in the work of their own hands. Psa. 7:15-16.

Key Word: Hanged, v. 10.

Strong Verses:   9, 10.

Striking Facts: v. 7. The day is coming when those who have persecuted and hated the followers of Christ would gladly be beholden to them, like the rejected virgins (Matt. 25) who cry "give us oil."

CHAPTER EIGHT

Contents: The vengeance order of Ahasuerus.

Characters: Ahasuerus, Esther, Mordecai.

Conclusion: Let the odds be against God's people, they have but to include God in their faith and He will open ways of deliverance and draw conclusions. The holy joy of those who trust in God is a great ornament to their profession and will encourage others to trust in Him. (v. 16.)

Key Word: Decree, v. 17.

Strong Verses:   16.

Striking Facts: v. 6. Those who are true followers of Christ had rather die in the last ditch than live to see the desolations of the church of God.

CHAPTER NINE

Contents: Vengeance executed; the Jews victorious. Feast of Purim instituted.

Characters: Ahasuerus, Esther, Mordecai.

Conclusion: When we have received signal mercies from God, we should be quick to return our thanks to Him while the impressions are fresh. If the favor has extended to the whole people, steps should be taken to perpetuate the remembrance of it for the honor of God and the encouragement of others to trust in Him.

Key Word: Vengeance, v. 5.

Strong Verses:   22.

Striking Facts: v. 19. Thanksgiving and almsgiving go together. If we have received mercy, the only way to express our gratitude is to show mercy.

CHAPTER TEN

Contents: Mordecai made prime minister.

Characters: Ahasuerus, Mordecai.

Conclusion: Men of virtue and true piety may for a time seem to be kept inobscurity, but often by the hand of God they are suddenly discovered to the world and caused to be preferred.

Key Word: Advanced, v. 2.

Strong Verses:   3.

Striking Facts: The book of Esther testifies to the secret watch-care of Jehovah over His dispersed people, Israel. The name of God nowhere occurs in the book, but in no other book of the Bible is His providence more evident.