Lesson 310: HAMAN'S PLOT

Esth. 3; 4

Full Lesson HERE

INTRODUCTION. Vashti, the queen of Persia, was removed from her position when

she refused to obey the king's command to parade her beauty before his drunken

guests. As a result beautiful young women from all over the empire were brought to

the palace in Shushan in order for King Ahasuerus to choose a new queen. Esther,

a young Jewish woman, pleased the king more than any of the beauties brought before

him, and he placed the royal crown upon her head. Sometime later Esther

faced a great dilemma requiring immense courage on her part.

ESTHER 3. After Esther became queen of Persia, Ahasuerus appointed Haman as

his chief advisor. The king commanded his servants to bow to Haman, but Mordecai,

Esther's cousin and guardian, refused to pay homage to Haman, thus incurring

his wrath. Haman determined to vent his anger on the whole Jewish population, not

just on Mordecai. With the permission of Ahasuerus, Haman sent orders throughout

the kingdom in the twelfth year of Ahasuerus that on a certain day all Jews were to

be killed and their properties confiscated. The day selected for the slaughter was

determined by casting lots–Pur.