Esther 1-4

It is generally considered that the events of the book of Esther occurs between the periods recorded by Ezra and Nehemiah, between the first and second returns of Jews to Israel following the Babylonian captivity.  It is not clear which king of Persia is referenced in this story, since there were many named Ahaseurus, or Artaxerxes, but some scholars believe he was the same as Artaxerxes Longimanus, who issued the decree for the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

The king of Persia was disrespected by his queen, and so she was set aside from being queen, and a search was initiated throughout the land to find a new queen.  Esther, who was an orphan, and under the care of her uncle Mordecai, was included among the many young women to be considered for the king’s choice, and she was chosen and made queen.  However, the king also promoted an evil man named Haman, but he grew incensed that Mordecai refused to bow to him, and eventually convinced the king to allow him to have all the Jews in the land killed.  A proclamation is made in the first month of the year that the Jews will be vulnerable to slaughter and plunder on the 13th day of the 12th month.  Mordecai and all of the Jews go into mourning over this news, and after some time he is able to communicate to Esther all that is going on, and the plan that Haman has to wipe out all the Jews in the land.  Esther asked that all the Jews fast and pray for her for three days, and then she would go in to see the king.