Summary of the Bible Book of Esther
The Bible Book of Esther is a captivating story about a Jewish girl who becomes queen of Persia. She bravely saves her people from a plot to exterminate them, with the help of her cousin Mordecai and her faith in God.
Read the Bible Book of Esther in 60 Seconds
Chapter 1: King Ahasuerus throws a lavish banquet but Queen Vashti refuses to attend. He replaces her with Esther.
Featured Verse: "For he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the splendor of his excellent majesty." – Esther 1:4
Chapter 2: Esther is crowned queen. Mordecai uncovers a plot to assassinate the king. Esther exposes the plot and the conspirators are executed.
Featured Verse: "And the king loved Esther more than all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight." – Esther 2:17
Chapter 3: Haman, a high-ranking official, is angered when Mordecai refuses to bow to him. He plots to kill all the Jews in the empire.
Featured Verse: "But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone, for they had told him of the people of Mordecai." – Esther 3:6
Chapter 4: Mordecai urges Esther to plead with the king to save her people. Esther fasts and prays for three days.
Featured Verse: "And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" – Esther 4:14
Chapter 5: Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet. At the banquet, she asks the king to spare her people.
Featured Verse: "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him." – Esther 5:4
Chapter 6: The king honors Mordecai for foiling the assassination plot. Haman is enraged and builds a gallows to hang Mordecai.
Featured Verse: "So Haman came in, and the king asked him, ‘What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?’" – Esther 6:6
Chapter 7: Esther exposes Haman’s plot and pleads for her people’s lives. The king orders Haman’s execution instead.
Featured Verse: "The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!" – Esther 7:6
Chapter 8: The king gives Esther and Mordecai his signet ring, allowing them to write a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves.
Featured Verse: "And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai." – Esther 8:2
Chapter 9: The Jews defeat their enemies and celebrate their victory with the holiday of Purim.
Featured Verse: "The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honor." – Esther 8:16
Chapter 10: Mordecai becomes a powerful official in the Persian empire.
Featured Verse: "For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren." – Esther 10:3
Unlock your inspiration by reading the entire book of Esther. See how one person’s courage and faith can change the course of history.