From whom does this book take its name, and why?
Who is supposed to have been the writer of it? ch. 9. 20.
By what remarkable peculiarity is it distinguished? N.B. It does not once contain the name of God in any of his distinguishing titles. This omission was probably designed, and the wonderful nature and results of the facts recorded were left to speak for themselves, and proclaim the doctrine of a special Providence in the most effectual manner.
How long a period of time is the history supposed to cover? N.B. Not far from fifteen years.
How long before Christ does the history take its date? N.B. About B. C. 460.
What are its general contents? N.B. The circumstances to which it was owing that Esther became queen--the deadly hatred of Haman against Mordecai, and his plot against the whole nation of the Jews—the utter defeat of this plot by the Providence of God—and the means taken to perpetuate the remembrance of it.
In whose reign did the events here recorded take place, and what is said of the extent of his kingdom'? N. B. This Ahasuerus is made out by the best historians to be identical with the Artaxerxes mentioned in the two former books, and Ezra gives an intimation of the vastness of his dominion by calling him "king of kings."
What was the metropolis of the Persian empire at this time?
What great festivity took place in the third year of his reign, how long did it last, and what was the motive of it? v. 3, 4.
Is it to be supposed that he feasted the same persons every day, or numerous parties of grandees in rotation?
For whom was the second shorter feast intended? v.5
Did he in this go on the principle which our Lord commands? Luke 14. 11—14.
What is said of the splendor of the decorations? v.6.
How was the wine served up and what was the rule of their drinking?
What is to be thought of the practice of urging, and, as it were, forcing men to drink, and to pledge one another in full cups? Hab.2. 15.
May this regulation of a heathen prince shame some who are called Christians?
What other arrangements about the feast tended to preserve sobriety and decorum?
How did this differ from Belshazzar's feast? Dan. 5. 2.
What occurrence, that ended unhappily, took place on the seventh day? v. 10—12.
Is it to be wondered at that a modest woman should be exceedingly averse to obeying such a command?
Would it not however have been better on the whole that she had complied? Eph. 5. 22. 24.
How was the king affected by her refusal, and what was his first step in the way of punishing the offence?
What was the counsel which Memucan gave his prince, and the reason of it? v. 15—20.
How did the king approve this advice, and what did he do to carry it into execution?
What was the design of recording this story in this place? N. B. "To show how way was made for Esther to the crown in order to her being instrumental to defeat Haman's plot, and this long before the plot was laid, that we may observe and admire the foresight and riches of Providence." Henry.
Did the king's affection for Vashti appear to revive after his anger was cooled, and what prevented him from restoring her? N.B. The laws of the Medes and Persians were unchangeable.
What course was proposed in order to provide the king with another wife, and how did he approve of it? v 2.4.
What distinguished Jew was at this time resident in the court of Persia, and what is said of him? v. 5,6.
What near relation had fallen under his protection, and what is said of her?
How was she brought into notice, and what charge did her uncle give her? N.B. It is not to be supposed that Mordecai voluntarily proposed his niece as a candidate for the king's favor, as this was contrary to the laws of Moses, (Deut. 7.3.) but that she was taken by virtue of the royal edict without either Mordecai's consent or her own being asked.
How did Mordecai still evince his parental solicitude for her, and did she continue to shew the same respect to him as ever? v.20.
How did she stand in the affections of the king and how did he honor her?
How did he celebrate her coronation?
From what expression do we infer that Mordecai was preferred to some office about the palace?
What circumstance occurred that gave Mordecai an opportunity of saving the king's life, and how was the memory of the fact preserved?
Whom did the king afterwards advance to a high station, and what is said of the general deference paid to him? N.B. As Haman was an Amalekite, a nation whom the Israelites were commanded to extirpate, it is not unlikely that Mordecai's refusal to do obeisance to him was owing partly to this circumstance; and partly to the fact that the reverence required came too near to worship and adoration to be paid to a mortal.
What was said to him by his friends, and what was done when these remonstrances had no effect?
Are there usually those about the persons of the great who will readily stoop to any compliance in order to stand well in their favor?
Will it do for a Christian to adopt such a timeserving policy?
How did Mordecai's inflexible resolution operate upon Haman, and what revenge did he meditate ?
Does the ancient enmity of the Amalekites against Israel appear to have revived in his breast?
What is said of the lots being cast before Haman, and what was the design of this? N.B. It seems he had formed the design of cutting off the nation of the Jews, and he cast lots, or had his soothsayers to do it, in order to find out the most favorable day for the execution of the project. As Providence would have it, the propitious day was one which would not arrive till after the expiration of a whole year: this long interval gave time for Mordecai to acquaint Esther with the plot, and for her to intercede with the king ! So true is it "that the lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord."
How did he broach the matter to the king, and wit? what success? v. 8—11.
What measures were then taken to have the decree published, and what was the purport of it?
How did the king and his favorite entertain themselves at this crisis, and how was the city affected?
How were Mordecai, and the Jews in the provinces affected by this event? v.1—3.
Did Mordecai, by this his public grief, openly espouse the cause of his brethren?
Have good men in all ages, especially in times of trouble, made much use of fasting?
What did Esther do before knowing precisely the cause of Mordecai's grief, what messenger did she send to him, and what did she learn from him? v.4—9.
What word did she send back to Mordecai, and what was his reply? v.10—14.
Did his words indicate a strong faith that Providence would interpose in some way for their deliverance?
Does it become us to ascertain as far as possible for what special design God has placed us in particular stations, as he had Esther, and how we may best serve him in them?
What directions did the pious and noble-hearted woman then give to Mordecai?
Is it easy to admire her conduct sufficiently on this occasion?
To what class of persons does her resolution furnish a model?
Is it highly important that convinced sinners should have such view of a sin-avenging God, as vein lead them to come before him and seek his favor, and cast themselves upon his mercy, with a trembling uncertainty as to the issue?
What did Esther do on the third day, and what was the result of this step? v.1,2.
What conversation ensued, and what was the issue?
What enquiry and what promise did the king renew to her at the banquet, and what was her request?
What other instance have we shewing that this kind of promise was a proverbial expression, intimating that almost nothing would be denied? Mark 6.23.
With what sentiments did Haman retire from the feast and return home, and what counsel did he take with his wife? v.9—14. Did the circumstance shew how small a matter is sufficient to poison the happiness of a proud worldly man?
What occurred to the king the ensuing night, and what did it lead to?
Was all this owing to the secret counsel of the Most High, notwithstanding the king acted with perfect freedom?
What early visitor waited upon the king, and for what purpose?
What conversation ensued, and what was Haman, to his unspeakable mortification, commanded to do?
Are self-flatterers usually self-deceivers?
Was the order performed accordingly, and with what effect upon the parties respectively?
What occurred at Haman's house after returning?
What occurred again at the banquet?
As the affair eventuated, was there a remarkable Providence in Esther's delaying her petition till the second day?
What did she mean by saying that the enemy could not cointervail the king's damage? N.B. She intimated by this that the injury which the king's revenue would sustain by destroying the Jews would be so great, that Haman's ten thousand talents would not be sufficient to compensate the loss ; so that the step would be not only cruel, but impolitic.
What was the king's answer, and what ensued?
Was this tie first intimation that Haman probably had of Esther's being a Jewess, and did it tend to confirm his fears?
What was the effect of this information upon Ahasnerus, and in what circumstances did he find Haman upon his return?
What was done with him on the spot, and to what ignominious death was he doomed?
What words of the Psalmist are strikingly exemplified in his fate? Ps. 7.15,16.
What became of Haman's house, and what declaration of holy writ is verified by the circumstance? Job 27.16,17.
How was Mordecai honored on this occasion?
What farther plea did Esther make, how was she emboldened at the commencement, and what was the sequel?
Did she carefully abstain from saying any thing to reflect upon the king himself in regard to the bloody edict?
What was the king's reply to Esther and to Mordecai, and what was the reason of his not doing the thing himself? Dan. 6.15.
Was not this feature in the Persian constitution highly absurd and preposterous?
How long after the framing of Hainan's decree before Mordecai's went forth? N.B. More than two months, so that the people had full time to survey the prospect of their sufferings, and piously to prepare for them.
What was the purport of this commission or warrant?
What provision was made to have it speedily and extensively published throughout the provinces ?
Did this necessary civil war shew the folly of those unrepealable laws?
In what style did Mordecai go forth from the presence of the king, and what was the effect of the happy tidings upon the Jews?
What impressions did the event of this deliverance produce upon "the people of the land," and what were they led to do?
What is said to have occurred when the eventful day arrived, and what circumstances helped forward their success?
How many were destroyed in Shushan,and what was the fate of Hainan's family?
Did they take any spoil, or is there any intimation that they injured any individual who was not found in arms against them?
What did the king say to Esther, and what further request did she make which was granted?
Was this prompted by a vindictive spirit? N.B. She had probably been informed that numbers of Haman's party yet survived, and meditated another attack the next day. It was important therefore to the safety of her own people and of the state, that this faction should be crushed.
Are God's people required, when clearly acting under his commission, to be thorough even in the work of judgment?
How many fell in Shushan, on the second day, and how was the work carried on in the provinces?
Is there any evidence that a single Jew perished throughout the whole empire in consequence of Haman's decree?
When did they rest from this work of carnage, and how did they celebrate their deliverance?
What inference do we draw from the 20th v. as to the authorship of this book?
Is this feast of Purim still kept up among the Jews with its original design? N. B. The day is still nominally observed, but is said to have degenerated into a season of riot and excess.
What is said in conclusion of the power of Ahasuerus and of the greatness of Mordecai?
Would the glory of this mighty Potentate have been in a great measure forgotten had it not been preserved in this humble but inspired history?
What is the grand moral lesson taught by the general scope of this narrative? Ps.37.12,13.