Esther 1:1 - How many provinces did Xerxes rule over?
127.

Esther 1:1 - King Xerxes is also known by what name in some versions of the Bible?
Ahasuerus.

Esther 1:1 - The book of Esther occurs during the reign of what king?
Xerxes.

Esther 1:1 - Where did the lands of Xerxes' empire stretch from?
From India to Cush.

Esther 1:2 - Xerxes ruled from his royal throne, located where?
The citadel of Susa.

Esther 1:3 - When did Xerxes give a banquet for all of his nobles and officials?
During the third year of his reign.

Esther 1:3 - Who was present at the banquet Xerxes held for all his officials in his 3rd year as king?
The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes and the nobles of the provinces.

Esther 1:4 - For how long did Xerxes display the wealth and glory of his kingdom to his officials?
180 days.

Esther 1:5 - After the king displayed his glory for 180 days, what did he do?
He held a 7 day banquet for all the people from the least to the greatest, who were in the citadel of Susa.

Esther 1:5 - Where was the banquet for all the people of Susa held?
In the enclosed garden of the king's palace.

Esther 1:6 - Describe the couches in Xerxes' garden.
They were made of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl, and other costly stones.

Esther 1:6 - Describe the hangings in Xerxes' garden.
They were made of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars.

Esther 1:7 - Describe the wine served at Xerxes' banquet in the garden.
It was served in goblets of gold, each one different, and the wine was abundant.

Esther 1:8 - What did the king command regarding drinking at his banquet in the garden?
Each was allowed to drink in his own way and each was to be served whatever they wished.

Esther 1:9 - What else was going on at the time of Xerxes' banquet in the garden?
Queen Vashti gave a banquet for the women in Xerxes' royal palace.

Esther 1:9 - Who was Xerxes' queen when the book of Esther begins?
Vashti.

Esther 1:10 - Who were the 7 eunuchs who served Xerxes?
Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas.

Esther 1:10-11 - What did Xerxes command his eunuchs to do on the 7th day of the feast in the garden?
To bring queen Vashti before him, wearing her royal crown.

Esther 1:11 - Why was Vashti to be brought before Xerxes at the end of the feast?
In order to display her beauty to the people and nobles.

Esther 1:12 - How did the king react to Vashti's refusal to come to his banquet?
He became furious and burned with anger.

Esther 1:12 - What happened when the attendants informed Vashti of the king's command to come before him at the feast?
She refused to come.

Esther 1:13 - What did the king do after he became angry with Vashti?
He consulted with experts in matters of law and justice - wise men who understood the times.

Esther 1:13 - Why did Xerxes consult with wise men after he became angry with Vashti?
It was customary.

Esther 1:14 - Who were the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king?
Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan.

Esther 1:15 - What did Xerxes ask the 7 wise men?
"According to law, what must be done with Vashti, since she disobeyed the king's command?"

Esther 1:16 - What did Memucan say about what Vashti had done?
She has done wrong not only against the king but also against all the nobles and peoples.

Esther 1:16 - Who suggested a course of action for Xerxes after he became angry with Vashti?
Memucan.

Esther 1:17 - What effect did Memucan say Vashti's behavior would have on women?
It would encourage them to despise their husbands.

Esther 1:18 - What did Memucan say would be the end result of Vashti's actions?
There will be no end of disrespect and discord.

Esther 1:18 - Who did Memucan say had already heard about what Vashti had done and were responding to the king's nobles in the same way?
Persian and Median women of nobility.

Esther 1:19 - What did Memucan suggest the king do in response to Vashti's actions?
That he issue a royal decree that Vashti was never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that he give her royal position to someone who is better than she.

Esther 1:19 - Xerxes' royal decree against Vashti would be written where?
In the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed.

Esther 1:20 - What did Memucan suggest would be the result of the king's decree against Vashti?
That all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest.

Esther 1:21 - How did the king's nobles feel about Memucan's suggestion to the king?
They were pleased with it, so the king did as Memucan proposed.

Esther 1:22 - What did the dispatches that Xerxes had sent out to all the people say?
That every man should be ruler over his own household.

Esther 1:22 - What was special about the dispatches Xerxes sent out to the people?
They were written in the language of each province they went to, so the people could hear the proclamation in their own tongue.

Esther 2:1 - When did the king remember Vashti and what she had done?
After his anger had subsided.

Esther 2:2 - What did the king's personal attendants suggest to the king after Vashti was banished?
That a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king.

Esther 2:3 - How did the attendants suggest the search for virgins be conducted?
They should be brought to the harem at the citadel of Susa, placed under the care of the king's eunuch, Hegai, and given beauty treatments.

Esther 2:3 - Who was in charge of the women in the king's harem?
Hegai.

Esther 2:4 - How did the king feel about the suggestions made by the attendants about the virgins?
The advice appealed to him and he followed it.

Esther 2:4 - What did the attendants suggest to the king when the search for virgins was completed?
The girl who pleases the king should be queen instead of Vashti.

Esther 2:5 - What tribe of Israel was Mordecai from?
Benjamin.

Esther 2:5 - Where was Mordecai living when Vashti was banished?
The citadel of Susa.

Esther 2:5 - Who was the father, grandfather, and great-grandfather of Mordecai?
His father was Jair, his grandfather was Shimei, and his great-grandfather was Kish.

Esther 2:6 - How had Mordecai come to Babylon?
He was carried into exile by Nebuchadnezzar among those taken captive with Jehoiachin, king of Judah.

Esther 2:7 - By what name was Esther also known?
Hadassah.

Esther 2:7 - Describe Esther.
She was lovely in both form and features.

Esther 2:7 - How did Mordecai view Esther?
As his own daughter, since her parents had died.

Esther 2:7 - Who was Hadassah?
Mordecai's cousin.  Also known as Esther.  Mordecai was raising her because she was an orphan.

Esther 2:8 - When the king's order and edict had been proclaimed, what happened to many girls in the realm?
They were brought to the citadel of Susa and entrusted to Hegai.

Esther 2:8 - Why was Esther placed in the care of Hegai?
He was in charge of the king's harem.

Esther 2:9 - How was Esther treated after she had won the king's favor?
She was given beauty treatments, special foods, and given seven maids who moved with her to the best place in the king's harem.

Esther 2:9 - What was the king's reaction to Esther?
She pleased him and won his favor.

Esther 2:10 - What had Esther not revealed to the king because Mordecai had forbidden her?
Her nationality and family background.

Esther 2:11 - What did Mordecai do every day after Esther was moved into the king's harem?
He walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.

Esther 2:12 - Before a girl from the king's harem went in to him, what did she have to do?
Complete 12 months of beauty treatments.

Esther 2:12 - Describe the beauty treatments the women in the king's harem underwent.
They lasted 12 months. 6 months with oil and myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.

Esther 2:13 - How would a woman from the king's harem go in to him?
Anything she wanted was given to her to take with her from the harem to the king's palace.

Esther 2:14 - Describe what would happen to the girls from the harem after they had been with the king.
They would enter in the evening and leave in the morning and go to another part of the harem.  They would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and requested her by name.

Esther 2:14 - Who was in charge of the king's concubines?
Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch.

Esther 2:15 - How did everyone react to Esther the night she first went in to the king?
She won the favor of everyone who saw her.

Esther 2:15 - How was Esther related to Mordecai?
She was the daughter of his uncle Abihail.

Esther 2:15 - What did Esther take in with her when it was her turn to go to the king?
Nothing other than what Hegai suggested.

Esther 2:16 - How long had Xerxes been king when Esther was first brought in to him?
It was in the 10th month of the 7th year of his reign.

Esther 2:16 - What month was it when Esther was first brought in to Xerxes?
The month of Tebeth.

Esther 2:17 - Because Esther pleased the king more than any of the other virgins, what did the king do for her?
He set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.

Esther 2:18 - What did the king do after he made Esther queen?
He gave a great banquet for all his nobles and officials (Esther's banquet), proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts generously.

Esther 2:19 - When the virgins were assembled a second time after Esther's crowning, where was Mordecai?
He was sitting at the king's gate.

Esther 2:20 - Why did Esther keep her family background and nationality a secret from the king?
Mordecai had asked her, and she always followed Mordecai's instructions.

Esther 2:21 - Name 2 of the king's officers who guarded the king's gate.
Bigthana and Teresh.

Esther 2:21 - What did Bigthana and Teresh do while Mordecai was at the king's gate?
They became angry and conspired to assassinate king Xerxes.

Esther 2:22 - What happened when Mordecai found out about the plot to assassinate the king?
He told Esther who told the king.

Esther 2:22 - What was Esther sure to do when she reported the plot of the assassination to the king?
Give Mordecai the credit.

Esther 2:23 - What happened when the plot to assassinate the king was investigated?
It was found to be true and the Bigthana and Teresh were hanged on a gallows.

Esther 2:23 - What record was made of the events surrounding the assassination plot?
It was all recorded in the book of the annals, in the presence of the king.

Esther 3:1 - How did the king honor Haman?
He elevated him and gave him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles.

Esther 3:1 - Shortly after the assassination plot against Xerxes was uncovered, who did the king honor?
Haman.

Esther 3:1 - Who was Haman's father?
Hammedatha the Agagite

Esther 3:2 - What did the king command concerning Haman?
That all the royal officials at the kings gate kneel down and pay honor to him.

Esther 3:2 - When the kings officials were commanded to honor Haman, what did Mordecai do?
He would not bow down or pay him honor.

Esther 3:3 - What did the royal officials at the kings gate ask Mordecai, after Haman was honored by the king?
"Why do you disobey the king's command?"

Esther 3:4 - Day after day, the royal officials spoke to Mordecai about honoring Haman, but what was his reaction?
He refused to comply.

Esther 3:4 - What had Mordecai told the officials about himself?
That he was a Jew.

Esther 3:4 - When Mordecai refused to pay homage to Haman, what did the royal officials do?
They told Haman about it to see if Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated.

Esther 3:5 - What was Haman's reaction when he heard that Mordecai would not bow down to him or pay him honor?
He was enraged.

Esther 3:6 - What did the enraged Haman decide he wanted to do when he heard who Mordecai's people were?
He looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people throughout the whole kingdom.

Esther 3:7 - What was done to determine when the Jews were to be destroyed?
Lots were cast in the presence of Haman to determine the date.

Esther 3:7 - When did the lots determine the Jews were to be destroyed?
The twelfth month - the month of Adar.

Esther 3:7 - When were lots cast to determine the fate of the Jews?
In the 12th year of Xerxes, in the 1st month - the month of Nisan.

Esther 3:8 - What did Haman do after the lots were cast to determine the Jews' fate?
He went and spoke to the king about destroying the Jews.

Esther 3:8 - What did Haman say to the king to persuade him to allow the destruction of the Jews?
He described them as a people scattered among all the provinces with customs different from the other people, who do not obey the king's laws, and that the king should not tolerate them.

Esther 3:9 - What did Haman ask the king about the Jews?
If it pleased the king, for a decree to be issued to destroy them.

Esther 3:9 - What did Haman promise the king if he issued the decree to destroy the Jews?
He would put 10,000 talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay for the men needed to destroy the Jews.

Esther 3:10 - Haman is described as what with respect to the Jews?
The enemy of the Jews.

Esther 3:10 - What did the king do immediately after Haman offered to pay for the men who would destroy the Jews?
He took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman.

Esther 3:11 - What did the king tell Haman when he offered 10,000 talents of silver?
To keep the money and do with the people as he pleased.

Esther 3:12 - How were the decrees about the Jews signed?
They were written in the name of Xerxes himself and sealed with his own signet ring.

Esther 3:12 - What day were the royal secretaries summoned to write the decree about the Jews?
The 13th day of the 1st month.

Esther 3:12 - What did the royal secretaries do when summoned by Haman?
They wrote decrees in the language of each people describing Haman's orders to the king's satraps, governors and nobles.

Esther 3:13 - How were the dispatches from Haman sent to the provinces?
By couriers.

Esther 3:13 - What was in the dispatches from Haman sent to the provinces?
Destroy the Jews, young and old, men, women, and children on the 13th day of the 12th month and plunder their goods.

Esther 3:14 - What was to be done with the text of the king's first edict about the Jews?
It would be issued in every province and made known to all the people so they would be ready for that day.

Esther 3:15 - What did the king and Haman do after the first edict was issued?
They sat down to drink.

Esther 3:15 - What was the city of Susa's reaction to the king's edict?
They were bewildered.

Esther 3:15 - Where was the king's edict about the Jews issued from?
The citadel of Susa.

Esther 4:1 - What did Mordecai do when he heard the news of the king's edict against the Jews?
He tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and went out into the city wailing loudly and bitterly.

Esther 4:2 - Why did Mordecai not pass through the king's gate while he was mourning?
Because he was wearing sackcloth and no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter through the gate.

Esther 4:3 - What was the general reaction of the Jews to the king's edict?
There was great mourning, fasting, and weeping, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes.

Esther 4:4 - What was Esther's reaction when she heard about Mordecai's mourning?
She was in great distress, and she sent clothes for him to put on instead of sackcloth.

Esther 4:4 - What was Mordecai's reaction to the clothes Esther sent out for him while he was mourning?
He would not accept them.

Esther 4:4 - Who told Esther about Mordecai's mourning?
Her maids and eunuchs.

Esther 4:5 - Who did Esther send to find out what was troubling Mordecai?
Hathach.

Esther 4:5 - Who was Hathach?
One of the king's eunuchs assigned to attend Esther.

Esther 4:6 - Where did Hathach meet up with Mordecai?
In the open square of the city, in front of the king's gate.

Esther 4:7 - What did Mordecai tell Hathach when questioned about his mourning?
He told him everything that had happened to him including the exact amount of money Haman offered to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews.

Esther 4:8 - What did Mordecai give to Hathach?
A copy of the text of the edict for the Jews annihilation.

Esther 4:8 - Why did Mordecai give the edict to Hathach?
So he could give it to Esther, explain it to her, and urge her to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people.

Esther 4:9 - What was Hathach's reaction when Mordecai gave him the edict?
He went back to Esther and reported all that Mordecai told him.

Esther 4:10-11 - What did Esther ask Hamach to say to Mordecai after receiving news of the king's edict?
That any man or woman that approached the king in the inner court without being summoned will be put to death unless the king extends the golden scepter to them to spare his life, and the king hadn't summoned her in 30 days.

Esther 4:12-13 - What was Mordecai's response to Esther when she described how her life would be in danger if she approached the king without an invitation?
Do not think that because you are in the king's house that you will escape the destruction.

Esther 4:14 - How did Mordecai challenge Esther about her position as queen and the opportunity to petition the king?
"Who knows if you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"

Esther 4:14 - What did Mordecai say would happen if Esther refused to petition the king?
That relief and deliverance would come from another place but her and her father's family would perish.

Esther 4:15-16 - What did Esther ask of Mordecai after being challenged on her doubts about petitioning the king?
To gather all the Jews in Susa, and fast for her for 3 days (no food or water).  She and her maids would do the same.  When the 3 days was over she would see the king, and if she was killed, so be it.

Esther 4:17 - How did Mordecai react to Esther's requests before she was to petition the king?
He went away and carried out all her instructions.

Esther 5:1 - What was Esther wearing when she went into the court to petition the king?
Her royal robes.

Esther 5:1 - Where was the king when Esther came and stood in the inner court of the palace in front of the king's hall?
Sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.

Esther 5:2 - What did Esther do when the king extended his royal scepter to her?
She approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Esther 5:2 - What happened when the king saw Esther standing in the court, when she came to petition him?
He was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand.

Esther 5:3 - What did the king say to Esther after she had touched his scepter?
"What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom it will be given you."

Esther 5:4 - What did Esther ask the king for after touching his scepter?
That the king and Haman come to a banquet that she had prepared for him.

Esther 5:5 - What was the king's response to Esther's request that he come to a banquet?
He ordered that Haman come at once and they both went to the banquet Esther had prepared.

Esther 5:6 - What did the king ask Esther after they had gone to the banquet?
"What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom it will be given you."

Esther 5:6 - What was the king doing at his banquet when he asked Esther what her real petition was?
Drinking wine.

Esther 5:7-8 - At the first banquet, what did Esther say her real request of the king was?
She delayed again and asked that the king and Haman come to another banquet the next day and she would answer.

Esther 5:9 - After Haman happily left the first banquet, what happened to him?
He saw Mordecai and became enraged with him because he would not rise or show fear in his presence.

Esther 5:9 - How was Haman feeling after the first banquet with Esther and the king?
He was happy and in high spirits.

Esther 5:10 - What did Haman do after becoming enraged at Mordecai after leaving the banquet?
He restrained himself and went home where he called together his wife and friends.

Esther 5:10 - Who was Haman's wife?
Zeresh.

Esther 5:11-12 - What did Haman boast about when he had gathered together his wife and friends after the king's banquet?
His many sons, all the ways the king had honored him above the other nobles, and especially that he was the only person invited to accompany the king to the banquet that day and the next.

Esther 5:13 - What did Haman say prevented him from getting satisfaction from the ways he had been honored?
Seeing the Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate.

Esther 5:14 - How high was the gallows Haman had built for Mordecai?
75 feet high (50 cubits).

Esther 5:14 - What did Haman's friends and family suggest he do to get rid of Mordecai?
Build a gallows and the next morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it, then he could be happy.

Esther 5:14 - What was Haman's reaction to the suggestion that he build a gallows for Mordecai?
He was delighted and went out and had the gallows built.

Esther 6:1 - What was read to the king on the night he had trouble sleeping?
The book of the chronicles, which recorded events of his reign.

Esther 6:1 - Why was the book of the chronicles read to the king after the first banquet?
He had trouble sleeping the night before Esther's second banquet for him.

Esther 6:2 - What was found recorded in the chronicles when they were read to the king?
That Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway who had conspired to assassinate the king.

Esther 6:3 - What did the king ask when the account of Mordecai in the chronicles was read to him?
What honor and recognition had Mordecai received for this?

Esther 6:3 - What did the king's attendants tell him when he asked how Mordecai had been honored for revealing the assassination plot?
That nothing had been done for Mordecai.

Esther 6:4 - What did the king ask his attendants after he was informed that Mordecai had not been honored for saving his life?
"Who is in the court?"

Esther 6:4 - Who had just entered the king's court after the king had been informed about Mordecai not being honored for saving his life?
Haman.

Esther 6:4 - Why had Haman entered the outer court of the palace just after the king had been read to from the chronicles?
He wanted to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had just built for him.

Esther 6:5 - What did the king order when he discovered that Haman was in the court after he had discovered that Mordecai had not yet been honored?
For Haman to be brought in to him.

Esther 6:5 - What did the king's attendants tell him when the king asked who was in the court?
That Haman was in the court.

Esther 6:6 - What did Haman say to the king when the king asked him what should be done for someone the king wished to honor?
"Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?"

Esther 6:6 - What did the king ask Haman when he was brought in to him after the king had been informed about Mordecai not being honored?
"What should be done for the man that the king delights to honor?"

Esther 6:7-9 - What did Haman suggest to the king about how he could honor someone who pleased him?
He should be clothed with a royal robe the king has worn, placed on a horse the king has ridden (one with a royal crest placed on its head), and led through the streets by one of the king's most noble princes who proclaims to everyone around him "this is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!"

Esther 6:10 - After Haman had suggested a way for the king to honor someone who had pleased him, what did the king command?
He commanded Haman to go at once and do just as he had suggested for Mordecai the Jew, and to not neglect anything he had suggested.

Esther 6:11 - What did Haman do for Mordecai after the king decided to honor him?
He robed Mordecai with a royal robe, and led him on horseback through the city streets proclaiming before him "this is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!"

Esther 6:12 - Where did Haman go after leading Mordecai through the streets?
He rushed home with his head covered in grief.

Esther 6:12 - Where did Mordecai go after being led through the streets by Haman?
He returned to the king's gate.

Esther 6:13 - After leading Mordecai through the streets and rushing home, who did Haman tell about what had just happened?
His wife Zeresh and all his friends.

Esther 6:13 - What did Zeresh and Haman's advisors tell him after he had to lead Mordecai through the streets?
"Since Mordecai is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him - you will surely some to ruin!"

Esther 6:14 - While Haman was still talking with his wife and advisors after leading Mordecai through the streets, what happened?
The king's eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

Esther 7:1 - Who dined with Esther at the second banquet she had prepared?
The king and Haman.

Esther 7:2 - What did the king ask Esther as the second banquet began?
"What is your petition? Even up to half the kingdom it will be granted."

Esther 7:2 - What was the king doing at the second banquet when he again asked Esther what her petition was?
Drinking wine.

Esther 7:3 - What did Esther finally say was her petition to the king?
If she has found favor with him that she be granted her life and that her people would be spared.

Esther 7:4 - Esther said she would not have bothered the king with her petition if what was true?
If her people had merely been sold as slaves and not been targeted for destruction.

Esther 7:4 - Why did Esther say she was petitioning the king to spare her people?
She and her people had been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation.

Esther 7:5 - What did Xerxes ask Esther when he found out her people were to be destroyed?
"Who is the man who dared to do such a thing?"

Esther 7:6 - How did Esther describe Haman when she told the king he was responsible for the coming destruction of her people?
As an adversary, the enemy, and vile

Esther 7:6 - How did Haman react when Esther pointed him out as the one responsible for the decree against the Jews?
He was terrified before the king and queen.

Esther 7:6 - Who did Esther tell the king was responsible for her people's imminent destruction?
Haman

Esther 7:7 - How did the king react when he heard Haman was responsible for the coming destruction of the Jews
He got up in a rage, left his wine, and went out into the palace garden.

Esther 7:7 - What did Haman do when the king stormed out after hearing about Haman?
He stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.

Esther 7:7 - What did Haman realize when the king angrily stormed out after being told about Haman?
That the king had already decided his fate.

Esther 7:8 - What did the king find Haman doing when he returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall after Esther told him about Haman's scheme?
Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.

Esther 7:8 - What happened to Haman when the king saw him groveling before Esther?
As soon as the king began to speak, Haman's face was being covered.

Esther 7:8 - What was the king's reaction when he saw Haman falling on the couch where Esther was?
He said "Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?"

Esther 7:9 - What did Harbona tell the king after Haman was exposed?
That Haman had built a gallows 75 feet (50 cubits) high by his house, and he planned to hang Mordecai on it.

Esther 7:9 - What did the king tell Harbona after being told of the gallows Haman had built?
He commanded Haman to be hung on it.

Esther 7:9 - Who told the king about the gallows Haman had built?
Harbona, one of the king's eunuchs.

Esther 7:10 - How did the king feel after Haman was hanged?
His fury subsided.

Esther 7:10 - What happened to Haman shortly after Esther exposed him to the king?
He was hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai.

Esther 8:1 - The same day Haman was hung, what did the king do with Haman's estate?
He gave it to queen Esther.

Esther 8:1 - Who came into the presence of the king after Haman was hanged?
Mordecai.

Esther 8:1 - Why did Mordecai come into the presence of the king after Haman was hanged?
Esther had told the king he was related to her.

Esther 8:2 - What did the king reclaim from Haman after he was hanged?
His signet ring.

Esther 8:2 - What was given to Mordecai after Haman was hanged?
The king gave him his signet ring and Esther appointed him over Haman's estate.

Esther 8:2 - Who did the king give his signet ring to after Haman was hanged?
Mordecai.

Esther 8:3 - After Mordecai was honored after Haman's death, what did Esther do?
She again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping.

Esther 8:3 - Why did Esther plead with the king again after Haman's death?
She begged him to put an end to Haman the Agagite's plan against the Jews.

Esther 8:4 - What was the king's reaction when Esther came to him to plead a second time?
He extended his gold scepter to her and she arose and stood before him.

Esther 8:5 - What did Esther ask the king when she came to plead a second time?
Let an order be written overruling the dispatches sent by Haman, which were devised to destroy all the Jews in all the king's provinces.

Esther 8:6 - Why did Esther say she was pleading with the king the second time?
She could not bear to see disaster fall on her people and see the destruction of her family.

Esther 8:7 - Why did the king say he had hanged Haman and given his estate away?
Because he attacked the Jews.

Esther 8:8 - What did the king tell Esther to do after her second petition?
To write another decree in his name as she sees fit, and to seal it with his signet ring.

Esther 8:8 - Why did the king tell Esther to seal her decree with his signet ring?
No document written in the kings name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.

Esther 8:9 - On what day were the royal secretaries summoned to write Esther's decree?
The 23rd day of the third month.

Esther 8:9 - The third month was called the month of ___?
Sivan.

Esther 8:9 - What did the royal secretaries write for Esther's decree?
All of Mordecai's orders to the Jews, and the kings nobles in all of the kings provinces.

Esther 8:9 - What language was Esther's decree written in?
In the script of each province and language of each people, and also to the Jews in their own language.

Esther 8:9 - Who was summoned after the king told Esther to write a new decree?
The royal secretaries.

Esther 8:10 - After Mordecai had written the decree in the kings name and sealed it with his ring, what did he do?
He sent the dispatches by mounted carriers who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.

Esther 8:11 - What did Esther's edict grant the Jews?
The right to assemble and protect themselves, to destroy any armed force that might attack them and to plunder the property of their enemies.

Esther 8:12 - The 12th month was the month of ___?
Adar.

Esther 8:12 - What day was appointed for the Jews to defend themselves?
The 13th day of the 12th month.

Esther 8:13 - What was to be done with Esther's edict?
A copy was to be issued as law in every province and made known to all the people so the Jews would be ready to avenge themselves on their enemies.

Esther 8:14 - While the couriers raced out on royal horses, where else was the second decree being issued?
The citadel of Susa.

Esther 8:15 - What happened in the citadel of Susa after the second decree was issued?
They held a joyous celebration.

Esther 8:15 - What was Mordecai wearing when he left the king's presence after the second decree was issued?
Royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold, and a purple robe of fine linen.

Esther 8:16 - What kind of a time was it for the Jews when the second decree was issued?
A time of happiness, joy, gladness and honor.

Esther 8:17 - What happened to some non-Jews after the second decree was issued?
Many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.

Esther 8:17 - What was happening in every province after Esther's decree went out?
There was joy and gladness with feasting and celebrating.

Esther 9:1 - What was the situation in the kingdom on the 13th day of Adar?
The enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but now the tables were turned and the Jews had the upper hand.

Esther 9:2 - What happened on the 13th day of Adar?
The Jews assembled to attack those seeking their destruction.  No one could stand against them, because the people of all other nationalities were afraid of them.

Esther 9:3 - What did the king's nobles, satraps and governors do on the 13th of Adar?
They helped the Jews because fear of Mordecai had seized them.

Esther 9:4 - What was happening to Mordecai by the time the 13th of Adar rolled around?
He was prominent in the palace, his reputation had spread, and he became more and more powerful.

Esther 9:5 - What did the Jews do to their enemies on the 13th of Adar?
They struck them down with the sword, killing and destroying them and they did what they pleased with those who hated them.

Esther 9:6 - How man men did the Jews kill in the citadel of Susa on the 13th of Adar?
500.

Esther 9:7 - Who's 10 sons were killed on the 13th of Adar?
Haman's.

Esther 9:7-9 - Who were the ten sons of Haman?
Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vaizatha.

Esther 9:10 - How many sons did Haman have?
10.

Esther 9:10 - What did the Jews do with the plunder from Haman's sons?
Nothing.

Esther 9:11 - When was the number of those slain in the citadel reported to the king?
That same day that they were killed.

Esther 9:12 - What did the king say to Esther after the killing on the 13th of Adar?
The Jews have killed 500 in the citadel and captured the 10 sons of Haman.  Image the destruction elsewhere.  Now, what else do you wish?

Esther 9:13 - What was Esther's 3rd request of the king?
To give the Jews in Susa permission to carry out the edict again the next day, and to let Haman's 10 sons be hanged.

Esther 9:14 - What was the king's reaction to Esther's 3rd request?
He commanded that it be done.  An edict was issued in Susa, and Haman's 10 sons were hanged.

Esther 9:15 - What happened on the 14th of Adar?
The Jews came together in Susa and killed 300 more men but none of them laid hands on the plunder.

Esther 9:16 - How many were killed by the Jews in the provinces?
75,000, but no one laid hands on the plunder.

Esther 9:17 - What did the Jews in the provinces do on the 14th of Adar?
They rested and made it a day of feasting and joy.

Esther 9:18 - When did the Jews in the citadel of Susa rest?
On the 15th of Adar.

Esther 9:19 - As a tradition, what do rural Jews do on the 14th of Adar?
Observe it as a day of feasting and joy and for giving presents to each other.

Esther 9:19 - Who observes the 14th of Adar as a day of feasting and joy?
Rural Jews - those living in villages.

Esther 9:20-21 - What did Mordecai do after the events of the 13th-14th of Adar took place?
He recorded them and sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the 14th-15th days of Adar.

Esther 9:22 - What did Mordecai suggest Jews do to celebrate the 14th-15th of Adar?
They should be days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

Esther 9:22 - Why did Mordecai want the Jews to celebrate the 14th-15th of Adar every year?
As a time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, when their sorrow turned to joy.

Esther 9:23 - How did the Jews feel about Mordecai's suggestion to celebrate every year?
They agreed to do what Mordecai had written to them.

Esther 9:24-25 - Why did the Jews agree to celebrate every year?
Because Haman had plotted against the Jews and had planned their destruction but when the plot came to the king's attention it came back onto his own head and he and his sons were hanged.

Esther 9:26 - What was the celebration to be called regarding the events of in the month of Adar?
The feast of Purim.

Esther 9:27-28 - What did the Jews do with respect to the feast of Purim?
They established the custom that they and all their descendants should observe these 2 days every year without fail, by every family, and that the days of Purim should never stop being celebrated or be forgotten by the Jews.

Esther 9:29 - Who was Esther's mother?
Abigail.

Esther 9:29 - Who wrote the second letter to the Jews concerning Purim?
Esther, with her full authority, along with Mordecai.

Esther 9:30-31 - After the letter from Esther about Purim what did Mordecai do?
Sent letters to all the Jews in all 127 provinces to establish the days of Purim as Esther had decreed.

Esther 9:32 - What confirmed the regulations about Purim?
Esther's decree.

Esther 10:1 - Where did Xerxes impose tribute?
Throughout the empire, to its distant shores.

Esther 10:2 - All the acts of Xerxes and the full account of Mordecai are written where else?
In the book of the annals of the kings of Media and Persia.

Esther 10:3 - Describe Mordecai's position with the Jews at the end of the book of Esther.
He was the foremost among the Jews, held in high esteem by them, because he worked for the good of the people and spoke up for the welfare of the Jews.

Esther 10:3 - Who was second in rank to Xerxes after Haman's death?
Mordecai.