Esther 2:1-23

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. [NARRATIVE] What event in the story of this chapter was fresh, new, or struck you

differently than it has in the past?

2. [HISTORY} If the three-year gap mentioned here was meant to provoke

thoughts of Xerxes’ attempted and failed invasion of Greece, how is the author

portraying Xerxes (and his advisors) in his return?

3. {RELATIONAL DYNAMICS] Who has power and control in this passage? Think

both literally and also practically.

4. {ETHICS} What decisions in this passage are morally suspect? Is there a “right

action?”

5. {SCRIPTURE as APOLOGETIC] By inspiring the book of Esther (and other even

darker passages in Scripture), the Holy Spirit shows us that the Lord is aware of

and does not shy away from the depths of human evil and suffering.

1 How can

this perspective shade in some of our questions about that darkness?

6. {GENRE] How does narrative (like Esther) affect us differently than an epistle

(like Galatians)? Which do you prefer to read, study, or hear taught?

7. [CHRIST’s REVERSAL] What contrasts can you think of between the kingship of

Jesus and the kingship of Ahasuerus (Xerxes)?