OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

1

• King Ahasuerus’ banquet at Shushan (1-9)

• Queen Vashti refuses to obey (10-12)

• King consults with his wise men (13-20)

• King’s decree sent out (21, 22)

2

• The search for a new queen (1-14)

• Esther becomes queen (15-20)

• Mordecai exposes a plot (21-23)

3

• Haman exalted by the king (1-4)

• Haman plots to destroy the Jews (5-15)

4

• Mordecai mourns (1-5)

• Mordecai asks Esther to intercede (6-17)

5

• Esther appears before the king (1-8)

• Haman’s anger and arrogance (9-14)

6

• Mordecai honored by the king (1-14)

7

• Esther exposes Haman (1-6a)

• Haman hanged on the stake he made (6b-10)

8

• Mordecai promoted (1, 2)

• Esther pleads with the king (3-6)

• King’s counterdecree (7-14)

• Relief and rejoicing for the Jews (15-17)

9

• Triumph of the Jews (1-19)

• Festival of Purim established (20-32)

10

• Mordecai’s greatness (1-3)