Esther Study Guide – Esther 2:1-21

To begin, we will give an overview of where we are going. Christ is the focus. We need to learn to focus, or else we do not see the forest through the trees.

• Let me change the label “Parable” for the label “Allegory”, for that is what God also uses in Galatians 4:24.

What is an allegory?

It is a historical parable, it is historically true, but it is written in such a way that we can see the Gospel shining through (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

What period in time are chapters 1 and the beginning of chapter 2 speaking of?

“After these things” is literally, “After these words” (Esther 2:1)

After these words?

What words?

How was the wrath of the King appeased?

Was He glad He got rid of her?
“What was decreed against her” is literally, “What was cut off from her”
And what was cut off from her? What does the Kingdom represent?

• Who are the King’s servants? (Esther 2:2) The word “servants” is actually “young men” (plural)
Who do the King’s servants represent? (plural) Who is their master?
The word “fair” is literally “good”.
“Fair” refers to external beauty; “good” refers to internal beauty
Let there be good (or better) young virgins sought for the King
Better than who? Are we better than our neighbor?
Only by the mercy and grace of God have we been elevated to sons of God.

• Officers were appointed. Who do they represent? (Esther 2:3) Who is their master?
What is the job of the officers?
What does the house of the women represent? How many houses of the women are there?
The custody is literally the “hand” of Hege = Hegai = eunuch. Does he represent one or many?
What would the purifiers represent? How many purifiers are there?

• “Let the maiden which shall be good in the eyes of the King” (Est 2:4)
Reign instead of Vashti. How many are reigning?
The second sentence in verse 4 is literally: “And the word was good to the King, and he did so”
What word was this?

• In Shushan (“lily”) the palace there was a man whose name was Mordecai (Esther 2:5)
Mordecai = “Little Man”?
Who does Mordecai represent?

Jair = “He Enlightens”
Shimei = “Renowned”
Kish = “Bow”, or “Power”
Benjamin = “Son of My Right Hand”

• Jeconiah, king of Judah, was carried to Babylon (Esther 2:6)
Where is this found in the Bible? (4 places in the Bible)
Jeconiah means “Yahweh Will Establish”
Nebuchadnezzar means “may Nebo protect the crown”; Who is Nebo?
Babel or Babylon means “confusion (by mixing)”; Why is the end time “church” called Babylon?

• He brought up Hadassah literally says: He supported “Myrtle” (Esther 2:7)
Esther means “Star”
His uncle’s daughter is literally, “His beloved’s daughter”.
He was her nearest Kinsman. What does that mean?
She was fair and good. Good in whose eyes?
Her father and mother were dead. What does that mean? Literally or spiritually dead?
This is not the only place in the Bible where this situation is found. Read Ezekiel 16.

• “The King’s commandment and His decree” is literally, “the King’s word and His law” (Esther 2:8)
The King’s Word and His Law were heard; were heard by whom?
Who do the maidens represent?
Many maidens were gathered together by whom?
To the “hand” of Hegai
In whose hand are we?
Esther was “taken” also. How was she “taken”? (Read Acts 9:1-19)
What does the King’s house represent?
Who is the keeper of the women?

• Literally verse 9 reads as follows: “And the maiden was good in his eyes, and she rose in favor before him, and he hastened to give her her purifiers and her portions, and seven maidens, which were seen to be given her out of the king’s house: and he changed her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.”

• And the damsel (Esther) was good in his eyes (Esther 2:9)
Does God choose us because of some quality that we have? (Read Romans 9).
Then why was she good in His eyes?

• And she rose in favour before him?
And she was lifted up in mercy before him?
How was she lifted up in mercy before him?

• And he hastened to give her her purifiers?
And he hastened to give her her portions?
How many purifiers are there?
How many portions are there?

• And seven maidens were seen to be given her?
Who do the seven maidens represent?
And he changed her and her maids unto the best place of the house?
What is the best position in the house?

• Esther had not revealed her people (Esther 2:10)
What has Esther not revealed?
Why has Mordecai commanded that she should not tell?
Why was it kept a secret? For whom?

• Mordecai was concerned for Esther’s peace (Esther 2:11)
And what should be done with her?
Where did Mordecai walk every day?
He walked in front of the court of the house of the women.
Where was that?

• And in touching the turn of each maiden to come (Esther 2:12) What could this mean?
At the end of her being twelve months?
According to the Law of the women?
Why twelve months?
Why six plus six months?

• And in this way the maiden goes in to the King (Esther 2:13)
All that she said was given to her to come with her?
From the house of the women to the house of the King?

• In the evening she comes and on the morning she returns? (Esther 2:14)
To the second house of the women?
What does the second house of the women represent?

• To the custody of Shaashgaz?
Who does Shaashgaz represent?
Shaashgaz = Servant of the Beautiful
Who do the concubines represent?

• She shall not come in to the King any more. Why?
Unless the King delights in her.
What does that mean?
And she is called by name (kara shem)
Kara shem occurs 168 times in the Bible.

• The turn of Esther came (Esther 2:15).
The daughter of Abihail (My Father is might).
The beloved (uncle) of Mordecai.

• She did not seek a thing, except what Hegai said.
What does that mean?
Look at the contrast with the other women.
And Esther bear grace in the sight of all them that looked upon her.

• In the 10th month, in the 7th year of the reign of King Ahasuerus (Esther 2:16)
Was that three months before Haman’s wicked deed?
Tebeth = “goodness”

• The King loved Esther above all the women (Esther 2:17).
She was rising (imperfect tense) in grace and mercy before His face.
So that He was setting (imperfect tense) the royal crown upon her.
And made her reign (imperfect tense) instead of Vashti.
What does all this mean?

• The King made a great feast (or banquet): Esther’s Feast (Esther 2:18).
He made this a holiday for the provinces.
And He gave burdens (or utterances).
According to the hand of the King.
What does all this mean?

• The virgins were gathered together for the second time (Esther 2:19)
Then Mordecai (little man) was dwelling in the King’s gate.
What event in history does this refer to?

• Ester had not yet declared her kindred nor her people (Esther 2:20)
As Mordecai had commanded her.
For she always did the commandment of Mordecai.
Explain what this means spiritually.

• In those days. What days were those? (Esther 2:21)
Teresh and Bigthan = “Strictness” and “In their winepress”.
Of those which kept the door. Which door?
Sought to send hand on King Ahasuerus. What event in history does this refer to?