Esther Saves Her People

Part 1

Queen Esther prepared a second special banquet, just for the King and for wicked Haman. The king was very happy and told Esther he would give her anything she asked for, even half his kingdom.

With her heart pounding, Esther took a deep breath. It was time to be brave. She said to the king, 'If I have found favor in your eyes, O king, I ask that my life and the lives of my people be spared.'

The king was shocked and very angry. He didn't know his queen was in danger! He stood up and asked loudly who would dare to do such a terrible thing.

King Xerxes: Who is he? Where is the man who planned to do this?

Part 2

Esther looked directly at Haman and said, 'The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!' At that moment, Haman's face turned pale with fear. He knew he was in trouble.

The king was so furious that he went out into the palace garden to think. Haman, desperate, fell at Esther's feet to beg for his life. He knew the king would not forgive him.

When the king returned, he saw Haman near the queen and made his decision. Haman's evil plan turned against him, and he received the punishment he had planned for Mordecai.

Part 3

After this, the king honored Mordecai, Esther's cousin. He gave him the ring that had once belonged to Haman, making Mordecai one of the most important men in the kingdom.

But the danger wasn't over yet. Haman's law to destroy the Jews still existed. With tears in her eyes, Esther threw herself at the king's feet, begging him to save her people from that terrible plan.

The king, who loved Esther, extended his golden scepter to her. He told Esther and Mordecai to write a new law in his name, a law that would allow the Jews to defend themselves from their enemies.

Part 4

What a busy day it was in the palace! Mordecai and the king's scribes quickly wrote the new law. It said that in all the cities, the Jews had the right to gather and protect themselves.

Messengers on the fastest horses in the kingdom rode out quickly to take the good news to all the provinces. They rode day and night so the message would arrive in time.

When the Jews heard the news, sadness turned into joy! There were parties and celebrations everywhere. Hope had returned.

For the Jews, it was a time of happiness, joy, celebration, and honor. — Esther 8:16

Part 5

On the day the enemies planned to attack, the opposite happened! With the king's permission, the Jews bravely defended themselves. God turned a situation of fear into a great victory for His people.

So that no one would ever forget how God saved them, Esther and Mordecai created a special feast. They called it 'Purim,' and it would be celebrated every year.

Even today, Purim is a time of great joy, where people exchange gifts, eat delicious foods, and help the poor. It's a beautiful holiday to remember that God used the courage of a queen to save all His people.