(521 B.C.?) King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) of Persia, a world-empire with 127 provinces from India to Ethopia, rules from palace in Shushan (200 miles east of Babylon, winter home to Persian kings). Feast given in his third year to his princes in celebration of his acquisitions shown to them at length. Seven day luxurious palace feast given for subjects, both great and small. None compelled to drink. Separate palace feast provided for women by Queen Vashti. On the seventh day, with heart merry from wine, king requests queen's appearance for all to see her beauty. Refused. Legal counsel sought from seven princes by angry king. Memucan advises that she not only had offended the king, but all, and her example would cause all women to revolt, dishonoring their husbands. Recommended she be set aside and her estate given to another, thus making an example for any woman who might consider such future actions. So agreed and letters to that effect dispatched throughout his kingdom.

(518 B.C.?) With his anger now abated, king orders the selection for queen's replacement from among all the kingdom's fair young virgins. Esther, fair and beautiful, without parents, raised by Mordecai, a cousin and devout Jew, is brought to the palace with all others. Esther is forbidden by Mordecai to divulge her Jewish heritage. She is received with great favoritism by the king's attendants. Following one year of purification, all virgins presented individually to the king. Esther highly loved and favored, chosen and crowned new queen; others treated royally. Feast, including the queen's, given as before. Celebration declared kingdom-wide. Still unknown but remaining lovingly close to Esther, Mordecai sits at king's gate. Conveys to Esther plot overheard of two chamberlains planning to seize the king. King informed of plot by Esther. Two chamberlains hanged after an inquisition. Recorded in king's records.

(510 B.C.?) (8 years have passed since Esther's coronation.) Haman the Agagite promoted over all the princes. Mordecai refuses to bow to him at king's gate as ordered by the king of all servants, infuriating Haman. Second Jewish genocide plotted. (See Ex.1.) After casting lots for one year, Haman falsely accuses the Jews to the king, obtaining permission for their extermination. Letters sent to provinces for preparation of their total extermination on a certain day (December 13). The city is greatly perplexed while Haman and the king sit at drink.

Mordecai, learning the circumstances of the decree, tears his clothes, dresses in sackcloth and ashes, and goes into city with a bitter cry, returning to the king's gate. Esther, grieved at his condition, sends clothes to him. Refused and instructions sent for her to plead their Jewish case to the king. She reminds him of the king's law: she will be killed if not summoned, and he has not called her in 30 days. Mordecai informs her she will not be spared if she refuses, and she and her father's house will both be destroyed and another Deliverer raised up by God. It may just be this was why she became Queen! She requests a three day Jewish fast for her mission, and if she dies, so be it. Mordecai agrees.

After three days, attired in her royal apparel, without being summoned, she enters the throne room and is lovingly received. Given a request of him, she will make it known to him at a banquet she has prepared for him and Haman that evening. Haman summoned in haste. Haman and king enter the wine banquet, and he again wishes to know her request. She will tell him at another banquet planned on the morrow. Haman, greatly pleased with his personal invitation, goes his way, encountering Mordecai in the king's gate. His anger is rekindled, but passes, returning home proudly boasting to his family, relating also the experience with Mordecai. Wife suggests Mordecai be hung the next day. Agreeing, Haman orders gallows constructed.

(A turn of events.) King, sleepless, calls for a reading of the records. Learning of Mordecai's loyal deed, he discovers Mordecai went unrewarded. Next day, without indicating who, king asks Haman how a favored subject should be honored. Haman, thinking the king was referring to him, suggests providing a royal procession to the king's palace while royally attired on the king's horse. Haman is privately humiliated when Mordecai is identified, with him personally having to carry out his own idea. Stealing home that evening, informs his family and friends of the day's disappointing events. They predict his fall before Mordecai. At that moment he is summoned to Esther's banquet.

The Queen's banquet. Esther now pleads the case of her people before the king. King demands to know who would do such a thing. Her reply: Haman, the evil one! King infuriated, goes into garden to collect himself. Haman throws himself on Esther's bed for mercy. King enters, and discovering Haman's position, has him removed and hung on his own gallows prepared for Mordecai.

Esther is awarded Haman's house. She reveals her family ties with Mordecai, and Mordecai is given the king's ring once held by Haman. Mordecai appointed over Esther's new holdings. She petitions the king for a reversal of Haman's order to exterminate her people. A king's order, sealed with his ring, is unrescindable, but his permission is given for Mordecai to use, as he wishes, the seal of the king's ring given earlier. Another letter is drafted and dispatched by soldiers on June 23 to all provinces in their own languages authorizing the Jews to defend themselves. Mordecai, now royally attired, goes out from the king and heralded with great joy throughout the city. The Jews are spared and rejoice with great gladness. Many convert to Judaism out of fear.

(509 B.C.?) December 13 arrives. With the king's rulers and officers assisting, the Jews take revenge throughout the kingdom. Many slain, 500 in Shushan. King calls for report, granting Esther another request. Requests Haman's sons to be hanged on his own gallows. So done. 300 additional slain next day; 75,000 total slain throughout the kingdom on December 13th. All rested on 14th (Shushan the 15th), and a celebration feast is enjoyed by all. Those days, 14th and 15th, ordered by Mordecai to be kept annually, with portions exchanged and gifts to the poor. Mordecai's written record and request received. Days called Purium, after Pur (meaning, casting lots). A universal feast by all Jewish generations. Confirmation is sent in second decree from Queen Esther.

(495 B.C.?) A tribute is levied. Mordecai is highly honored, second only to the king in authority. This great event recorded in chronicles of the kings of Persia and Media. Mordecai, a man for peace and wealth for his people!