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The Story of Esther

Esther 1-10

Characters: Narrator, Mordecai, Haman, Xerxes, Esther

Narrator: Five hundred years before the birth of Christ, the Israelites lived in Babylon, because they had been conquered years earlier. Esther, who was an Israelite woman, lost her family when she was a child. The closest relative, a man by the name of Mordecai, raised her. One day, King Xerxes was looking for a new queen. He sent word that he would marry the most beautiful woman in the entire kingdom.

Mordecai: Esther, King Xerxes has issued a decree—he is looking a woman to marry. You should go before him and see if you can become queen! But, I must warn you, don’t tell him that you are a Jew, for we are not looked upon favorably.

Narrator: Esther came before the king, and Xerxes instantly fell in love with her. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He married her, and appointed her queen. Sometime later, some of the king’s servants planned on killing the king. Mordecai overheard this plot, and told the guards. The servants were executed, and at the time, Mordecai received no reward, but his actions were written in the king’s book of chronicles. One day, Haman was walking through the city, and noticed that Mordecai refused to bow to him.

Haman: Mordecai! Why won’t you bow to me? The king has made me the second highest official in the kingdom, and has decreed that all shall worship me!

Mordecai: I am a Jew, Haman. I will only bow to my Lord.

Narrator: This angered Haman. He wanted revenge. He decided that he would have all the Jews killed, and went before Xerxes to ask for his permission.

Haman: Sire, there is a group of people that are conspiring against you. They want you dead, and want to take over your kingdom. Give the order, and have them all exterminated at once!

Xerxes: Very well! On the 13th day of this month, I give you permission to kill all of the Jews in this kingdom. 2

Narrator: Mordecai eventually heard of Haman’s plans, and Xerxes’ decree. He went to Esther, and pleaded with her for help.

Mordecai: Remember, Esther, you too are a Jew. You must go to Xerxes, and plead with him on our behalf, or else you will watch the execution of your people.

Narrator: Esther had invited Haman to a banquet that night with herself and King Xerxes. Haman was excited, because of all the people in the kingdom, he got to have dinner alone with the king and queen.

Esther: Xerxes, what if I told you that there was a man that saved your life, and had gone completely unrewarded?

Xerxes: I would want to know the name of this man to reward him. Haman, what do you think should be done for this man?

Narrator: Haman believed that Xerxes and Esther were talking about himself, so he replied:

Haman: The man should be put in the finest royal robes, and given a horse from the king’s stables—and everyone should bow to him!

Esther: Your highness, you would trust this person, because he saved your life, correct? Well, I can tell you that his name is Mordecai, and he is a Jew— and Haman wants him dead! That is why Haman told you to execute all of the Jews!

Narrator: Xerxes was furious Haman would do such a thing. He left the room, and Haman began pleading with Esther for his life. He was worried that Xerxes could kill him. When Xerxes came back, he saw Haman touching his wife. This made him even more furious, and had Haman killed. He then took back his order to kill all of the Jews, and gave Haman’s job to Mordecai, along with all of his possessions. The Jews celebrated this day by honoring the feast of Purim.