1-3. (a) Kungani kungenteka kutsi Esta wativa esaba njengobe abesondzela endvodzeni yakhe? (b) Ngumiphi imibuto lesitawucoca ngayo mayelana na-Esta?

ESTA abetama kwehlisa umoya njengobe asondzela ebaleni lesigodlo saseSusa. Loko labekwenta bekungasimelula. Konkhe lobekukulesigodlo bekwenta umuntfu abambe longentansi​—bekunetitfombe tematje letimibalabala tetinkunzi letinetimphiko, bantfu labadubula ngebutjoki, kanye nemabhubesi lentiwe ngetitini leticwebetelako, bekuphindze kube netinsika tematje nemifanekiso leyetfusako. Lesigodlo besakhiwe endzaweni lebekile lesedvute netiNtsaba taseZagros letimbonywe sitfwatfwa, futsi besibuke ngasemfuleni iChoaspes lenemanti lahlantekile. Konkhe loku bekwentelwe kukhumbuta tivakashi ngemandla lamakhulu alendvodza Esta labetele kuteyibona, lebeyitibita ngekutsi “yinkhosi lenkhulu.” Lomuntfu abeyindvodza ya-Esta.

² Abeyindvodza yakhe? Ahashiveroshi abehluke kakhulu kunobe nguyiphi indvodza intfombatana lengumJuda letsembekile lebeyingafisa kushada nayo.a Abengatilandzeli tibonelo letinjengesa-Abrahama, indvodza letfobekile leyasemukela sicondziso saNkulunkulu sekutsi alalele loko lokwakushiwo nguSara umfati wakhe. (Gen. 21:12) Lenkhosi beyati lokuncane nobe beyingati lutfo ngaNkulunkulu wa-Esta, Jehova, nobe uMtsetfo waKhe. Kodvwa Ahashiveroshi bekati umtsetfo wasePheresiya, lohlanganisa umtsetfo lobewungavumeli kutsi kwentiwe loko Esta labetawukwenta. Bekuyini loko? Lomtsetfo bewutsi nobe ngubani lota embikwenkhosi yasePheresiya angakavunyelwa ngiyo, bekufanele afe. Esta abengakabitwa, kodvwa waya enkhosini nangetulu kwaloko. Njengobe asondzela emabaleni alesigodlo, lapho labetawubonakala khona esihlalweni sebukhosi, kungenteka weva shengatsi leli bekulilanga lakhe lekufa.​—Fundza Esta 4:11; 5:1.

³ Kungani Esta atifaka engotini lengaka? Yini lesingayifundza ekukholweni kwalomfati lomangalisako? Kwekucala, asesibone kutsi kwenteka njani kutsi Esta agcine abe yindlovukazi yasePheresiya.

Indlela Esta Lakhula Ngayo

4. Esta wakhula njani, futsi kwenteka njani kutsi agcine asahlala nemnakabo longuModekhayi?

⁴ Esta abeyintsandzane, futsi kuncane lesikwatiko ngebatali bakhe labametsa batsi nguHadasa, lokuligama lesiHebheru lelisho “umbovana,” sihlahlana lesihle lesichakata timbali letimhlophe. Ngesikhatsi batali ba-Esta bafa, lomunye wetihlobo takhe, lokunguModekhayi indvodza lenemusa, wamtsatsa wamnakekela. Modekhayi abengumnakabo Esta, nanobe yena abemdzala kunaye. Watsatsa Esta wamletsa ekhaya lakhe futsi wamphatsa njengendvodzakati yakhe.​—Esta 2:5-7, 15.

5, 6. (a) Modekhayi wamkhulisa njani Esta? (b) Beyinjani imphilo bo-Esta naModekhayi lebebayiphila eSusa?

⁵ BoModekhayi na-Esta bebatitfunjwa letingemaJuda letihlala enhloko dolobha yasePheresiya, futsi kungenteka bebahlangabetana nelubandlululo lolukhulu ngenca yenkholo yabo neMtsetfo lebebawugcina. Kancane kancane, Esta wasondzelana nemnakabo njengobe abemfundzisa ngaJehova, Nkulunkulu lonemusa lowasindzisa bantfu baKhe etinkingeni tikhatsi letinyenti, futsi labesatawuchubeka akwenta loko. (Lev. 26:44, 45) Kuyacaca kutsi bo-Esta naModekhayi bachubeka batsandzana futsi betsembana.

⁶ Kubonakala shengatsi Modekhayi abeyindvuna esigodlweni saseSusa, futsi abevame kuhlala ngasesangweni, akanye naletinye tisebenti tenkhosi. (Esta 2:19, 21; 3:3) Asati kutsi kuphila kwa-Esta bekunjani asakhula, nanobe kunjalo, singacabanga nje kutsi abenakekela umnakabo kanye nelikhaya lakubo, lokungenteka kutsi belisencenyeni yelidolobha lehlala timphuya lebeyingesheya kwemfula lobuke sigodlo. Mhlawumbe abekujabulela kuya emakethe leseSusa, lebekutfolakala khona labasebenta ngeligolide nelisiva, kanye nalabanye batsengisi labakhangisa ngetintfo tabo. Esta abengeke acabange kutsi bukhatikhati lobunjalo ngalelinye lilanga bebutawuba bakhe; abengati kutsi likusasa limphatseleni.

“Abemuhle”

7. Kungani Vashti ayekeliswa kuba yindlovukazi, futsi yini leyenteka ngemuva kwaloko?

⁷ Ngalelinye lilanga eSusa, kwagcwala emahemuhemu lamayelana nekutsi bekusuke siphitsiphitsi esigodlweni. Ngesikhatsi Ahashiveroshi ente siphihli selidzili futsi ajabulisa tiphatsimandla takhe ngekudla lokumnandzi nangeliwayini, wancuma kubita Vashti, indlovukazi yakhe lenhle, lebeyikulelinye lidzili nebafati. Kodvwa Vashti wala kuta. Ngenca yekutsi beyitiva ihlazekile futsi itfukutsele, inkhosi yabuta beluleki bayo kutsi imjezise njani Vashti. Yini leyenteka? Vashti wayekeliswa kuba yindlovukazi. Tinceku tenkhosi tacala umkhankaso wekufuna tintfombi letinhle eveni lonkhe, futsi kuto inkhosi beyitawukhetsa indlovukazi lensha.​—Esta 1:1–2:4.

8. (a) Kungani kungenteka kutsi Modekhayi wativa akhatsateka njengobe Esta akhula? (b) Ucabanga kutsi singawusebentisa njani umbono weliBhayibheli lolinganiselako ngebuhle bangaphandle? (Fundza neTaga 31:30.)

⁸ Singase simcabange Modekhayi abuke Esta ativa atigcabha ngaye futsi akhatsateka njengobe abona kutsi dzadzewabo sewukhulile, nekutsi sewuyintfombi lenhle kakhulu. LiBhayibheli litsi: “Lo-Esta . . . , abemuhle eme kahle.” (Esta 2:7) LiBhayibheli linembono lolinganiselako mayelana nebuhle bangaphandle​—litsi buyatsandzeka, kodvwa kufanele buhambisane nekuhlakanipha kanye nekutfobeka. Nakungasinjalo, bungaveta kudvwala nekutigcabha, kanye naleminye imikhuba lemibi. (Fundza Taga 11:22.) Uke wakubona yini loko kwenteka? Endzabeni ya-Esta, buhle bakhe bebutawuba lusito yini nobe bebutawumenta atigcabhe? Loku bekutawubonakala njengobe sikhatsi sichubeka.

9. (a) Yini leyenteka ngesikhatsi tinceku tenkhosi tibona Esta, futsi kungani kungenteka kutsi kwehlukana kwakhe naModekhayi kwaba matima? (b) Kungani Modekhayi avuma kutsi Esta ashade nemuntfu wetive longakholwa? (Fundza nelibhokisi.)

⁹ Tinceku tenkhosi tambona Esta. Njengobe betikulomkhankaso, tamtsatsa kuModekhayi taya naye esigodlweni lesikhulu lesingesheya kwemfula. (Esta 2:8) Kufanele kutsi kwaba matima kuhlukana kwabo, ngobe besebafana nababe nendvodzakati yakhe. Modekhayi abengeke avume kutsi indvodzakati yakhe ishade nemuntfu longakholwa, ngisho nobe ayinkhosi, kodvwa timo lebetikhona betingetulu kwemandla akhe.b Kufanele kutsi Esta wasilalelisisa seluleko saModekhayi ngembikwekutsi ahambe. Njengobe aya esigodlweni saseSusa, abetibuta imibuto leminyenti. Injani imphilo lebeyimlindzele?

Abetsandvwa ‘Nguwo Wonkhe Umuntfu’

10, 11. (a) Indzawo Esta labesakuyo kungenteka kutsi beyingamtsintsa njani? (b) Modekhayi wakuveta njani kukhatsateka kwakhe ngenhlalakahle ya-Esta?

¹⁰ Esta watikhandza asendzaweni leyehluke kakhulu kuleyo labeyati. Abesemkhatsini ‘wemantfombatana lamanyenti’ labetsatfwe kuto tonkhe tindzawo teMbuso wasePheresiya. Emasiko awo, tilwimi kanye nekucabanga kwawo bekwehluke kakhulu. Lamantfombatana abenakekelwa yindvuna libito layo lokutsiwa nguHegayi, futsi bekufanele abe seluhlelweni lwekumonyongwa lelitsatsa umnyaka wonkhe, lebelihlanganisa kugcotjiswa ngemakha lamnandzi. (Esta 2:8, 12) Lesimo sendzawo kanye nendlela yekuphila bekungenta lamantfombatana akhatsateke kakhulu ngekubukeka kwawo, futsi kuwente advwale aphindze ancintisane. Esta kwamtsintsa njani kuba kulendzawo?

¹¹ Kute lomunye emhlabeni labekhatsateke kakhulu nga-Esta kwendlula Modekhayi. Sifundza kutsi malanga onkhe abetama kusondzela kulendlu lebeyinalamantfombatana, futsi abetimisele kuva ngenhlalakahle ya-Esta. (Esta 2:11) Njengobe abetfola imininingwane letsite, lobekungenteka abeyitfola etisebentini talapho, kufanele kutsi abetigcabha kakhulu nga-Esta. Kungani bekunjalo?

12, 13. (a) Esta watiphatsa njani emkhatsini walabo labenabo? (b) Kungani Modekhayi ajabula nakeva kutsi Esta abengakakwembuli kuba kwakhe ngumJuda?

¹² Hegayi wajabula kakhulu nga-Esta kangangekutsi wacala kumphatsa ngelutsandvo nangemusa lomkhulu, wamnika tincekukati letisikhombisa nendzawo lekhetsekile endlini yemantfombatana. Kulandzisa kuze kutsi: ‘Esta-ke abetsandvwa nguwo wonkhe umuntfu.’ (Esta 2:9, 15) Kungenteka yini kutsi buhle bakhe ngibo kuphela lobenta bantfu bamtsandza kakhulu? Cha, akusibo kuphela lobamenta watsandzeka.

¹³ Nasi sibonelo, liBhayibheli litsi: “Esta akazange ayitsi vu indzaba yekutsi usive sini, ngobe phela Modekhayi abetsite angaboyikhuluma leyo, kutsi uliJuda.” (Esta 2:10) Modekhayi abemtjele kutsi bekufanele ahlakaniphe, angakwembuli kuba kwakhe ngumJuda; kungenteka abebonile kutsi bantfu labasesigodlweni sasePheresiya bebabatondza kangakanani bantfu bakubo. Ngako wajabula kakhulu nakatfola kutsi kudzimate kube nguleso sikhatsi Esta abesakuveta kuhlakanipha nekulalela ngisho nobe angekho embikwakhe.

14. Bantfu labasha lamuhla bangasilingisa njani sibonelo sa-Esta?

¹⁴ Bantfu labasha lamuhla bangabajabulisa ngendlela lefanako batali babo kanye nalabo lababakhulisako. Nabangekho embikwebatali babo​—ngisho nobe basemkhatsini webantfu labangenangcondvo, labatiphatsa kabi nobe labakhohlakele—​bangamelana nekuyengelwa kwenta lokubi futsi banamatsele etimisweni letilungile. Nabenta njalo, nabo njenga-Esta bangayijabulisa inhlitiyo yaBabe wabo losezulwini.​—Fundza Taga 27:11.

15, 16. (a) Esta wayenta njani inkhosi kutsi imtsandze? (b) Kungani kungenteka kutsi imphilo ya-Esta lensha yaba yinsayeya?

¹⁵ Kwatsi nasekufike sikhatsi sekutsi Esta ayiswe enkhosini, waniketwa inkhululeko yekukhetsa tintfo labecabanga kutsi utatidzinga kute atente abe muhle kakhulu. Kodvwa ngekutfobeka akazange acele lutfo ngaphandle kwaloko Hegayi labemtjele kona. (Esta 2:15) Kungenteka wacaphela kutsi buhle bakhe bubodvwa bebungeke bumente atsandvwe yinkhosi, kodvwa umoya wekuzitsa nekutfobeka bekungiwo lobalulekile ngobe bewungakavami kubantfu labasesigodlweni. Abecinisile yini ngaloko?

¹⁶ Lokulandzisa kuyaphendvula: “Inkhosi yatsatseka nga-Esta, kwendlula onkhe lawa lamanye emantfombatana. Yatsandza Esta ngetulu kwawo onkhe emantfombatana, ngako yamkhetsa emkhatsini wawo yametfwesa umchele webukhosi, yambeka waba yinkhosikati lenkhulu esikhundleni saVashti.” (Esta 2:17) Kungenteka bekumatima ngalentfombatana letfobekile lengumJuda kwetayela lemphilo lensha​—beseyiyindlovukazi lensha, umfati wenkhosi lebeyinemandla kakhulu emhlabeni wonkhe ngaleso sikhatsi! Sikhundla sakhe lesisha samenta watibona ancono yini, futsi watigcabha? Cha asizange!

17. (a) Esta wachubeka njani atitfoba kubabe wakhe lowamkhulisa? (b) Kungani sibonelo sa-Esta sibalulekile kitsi lamuhla?

¹⁷ Esta wachubeka atitfoba kuModekhayi, babe wakhe labemkhulisile. Wakugcina kuyimfihlo kuhlobana kwakhe nemaJuda. Ngetulu kwaloko, ngesikhatsi Modekhayi embula licebo lekubulala inkhosi Ahashiveroshi, Esta wamlalela wase wecwayisa inkhosi, futsi lamacili abulawa. (Esta 2:20-23) Waphindze waveta kukholwa kuNkulunkulu wakhe ngekukhombisa kutfobeka, nekulalela. Nalamuhla, siyasidzinga sibonelo sa-Esta njengobe kulalela kutsatfwa njengentfo lengakabaluleki futsi kugcwele kwedzelela nekuvukela! Kodvwa bantfu labanekukholwa lokucotfo bakutsatsa njengeligugu kulalela, njengobe kwenta Esta.

Kukholwa Kwa-Esta Kuyavivinywa

18. (a) Yini lokungenteka kutsi yenta Modekhayi wala kukhotsamela Hamani? (Fundza nembhalo longentansi.) (b) Emadvodza kanye nebafati labanekukholwa basilingisa njani sibonelo saModekhayi lamuhla?

¹⁸ Indvodza lokutsiwa nguHamani yanikwa sikhundla lesisetulu esigodlweni sa-Ahashiveroshi. Inkhosi yamenta ndvunankhulu, futsi waba ngumeluleki lomkhulu nemuntfu wesibili lobalulekile ebukhosini. Inkhosi yaze yashaya nemtsetfo lotsi bonkhe lababona lendvuna kufanele bayikhotsamele. (Esta 3:1-4) Kwaba matima ngaModekhayi kuwulalela lomtsetfo. Bekati kutsi kufanele ayilalele inkhosi kodvwa hhayi nangabe loko kusho kwedzelela Nkulunkulu. Phela Hamani ‘abengumAgagi,’ lobekusho kutsi abeyintalelwane ya-Agagi, inkhosi lengumAmaleki leyabulawa nguSamuweli umphrofethi waNkulunkulu. (1 Sam. 15:33) Sive sema-Amaleki besenta tintfo letimbi kangangekutsi saba sitsa saJehova nesema-Israyeli. Nkulunkulu wasilahla sive sema-Amaleki.c (Dut. 25:19) Ngako-ke, umJuda lowetsembekile abengamkhotsamela njani umAmaleki? Modekhayi abengeke akwente loko. Wachubeka angavumi kumkhotsamela. Kute kube ngulamuhla, emadvodza kanye nebafati labanekukholwa, bafake kuphila kwabo engotini kute balalele lomyalo lotsi: “Kufanele silalele Nkulunkulu njengobe angumbusi kunekutsi silalele bantfu.”​—Imis. 5:29.

19. Yini Hamani labefuna kuyenta, futsi yini layenta kute ancenge inkhosi?

¹⁹ Hamani watfukutsela wabilelana. Akazange enetiswe kufuna indlela yekubulala Modekhayi kuphela, kodvwa abefuna kuwabulala onkhe emaJuda! Hamani wancenga inkhosi ngekutsi akhulume kabi ngemaJuda. Ngaphandle kwekuwasho ngeligama, watsi abantfu lababi, futsi ‘asive lesisakateke nalo lonkhe lelive.’ Lokubi nakakhulu kutsi watsi awazange awulalele umtsetfo wenkhosi; nekutsi abetihlubuki letiyingoti. Watsi utawufaka samba semali esikhwameni senkhosi kute ikhokhele tindleko tekubulawa kwemaJuda lakulo lonkhe lelive.d Ahashiveroshi wase unika Hamani indandatho yakhe leluphawu lwekutsi uyavumelana nanobe yini lacabanga kuyenta.​—Esta 3:5-10.

20, 21. (a) Simemetelo saHamani sawatsintsa njani emaJuda labengephansi kweMbuso wasePheresiya, lokufaka ekhatsi Modekhayi? (b) Modekhayi wacela Esta kutsi enteni?

²⁰ Ngekushesha titfunywa besetigijima ngemahhashi ato kulo lonkhe live, tetfula lesimemetelo lebesimayelana nekubulawa kwemaJuda. Cabanga nje kutsi lesimemetelo saba namuphi umphumela nasifika eJerusalema, lapho emaJuda labebuya ekutfunjweni baseBhabhulona abesolo etama kuvuselela lidolobha lebelite lubondza lebelingalivikela. Kungenteka kutsi ngesikhatsi Modekhayi eva letindzaba letibuhlungu wacabanga ngalamaJuda, ngebangani bakhe nangetihlobo takhe lebetiseSusa. Ngenca yekukhatsateka, wadzabula timphahla takhe, wagcoka emasaka futsi watitsela ngemlotsa enhloko, wase ukhala kabuhlungu ekhatsi nelidolobha. Nobe kunjalo, Hamani wahlala nenkhosi wanatsa nayo, angenandzaba nebuhlungu labebubangele emaJuda lamanyenti kanye nebangani bawo labaseSusa.​—Fundza Esta 3:12–4:1.

²¹ Modekhayi wabona kutsi kufanele ente lokutsite kute asindzise emaJuda. Abetawentani? Esta weva ngekucindzeteleka kwakhe wase umtfumelela timphahla, kodvwa Modekhayi akazange avume kudvudvutwa. Kungenteka abesolo atibuta kutsi kungani Nkulunkulu wakhe, Jehova avumele kutsi Esta ehlukaniswe naye futsi entiwe indlovukazi yalombusi wetive. Nyalo sizatfu saloko besesitawucaca. Modekhayi watfumela umlayeto ku-Esta amcela kutsi abancengele enkhosini, amelele ‘sive sakubo.’​—Esta 4:4-8.

22. Yini leyenta Esta wesaba kuya endvodzeni yakhe leyinkhosi? (Fundza nembhalo longentansi.)

²² Kungenteka kutsi Esta wakhatsateka kakhulu nakeva lomlayeto. Kukholwa kwakhe besekutawuvivinywa kakhulu. Abesaba njengobe asho nakaphendvula Modekhayi. Wamkhumbuta ngemtsetfo wenkhosi, wekutsi kuya kwemuntfu enkhosini ingakambiti kusho kufa. Umuntfu abengasindza kuphela nangabe inkhosi imphakamisela indvuku yebukhosi yeligolide. Besikhona yini sizatfu sekutsi Esta acabange kutsi angasindza, ikakhulukati nakacabanga ngaloko lokwehlela Vashti ngesikhatsi ala kuya enkhosini nayimbita? Esta watjela Modekhayi kutsi besekuphele emalanga langu-30 solo inkhosi ingambiti! Kunganakwa ngalendlela kwamenta waba netizatfu letinyenti tekucabanga kutsi lenkhosi lenemivelo leshintjashintjako beseyingasamtsandzi.e​—Esta 4:9-11.

23. (a) Yini Modekhayi layisho kute acinise kukholwa kwa-Esta? (b) Kungani kufanele simlingise Modekhayi?

²³ Modekhayi waphendvula ngesibindzi kute acinise kukholwa kwa-Esta. Wamcinisekisa ngekutsi nangabe ehluleka kwenta lokutsite, kusindziswa kwemaJuda bekutawuvela kulenye indzawo. Kodvwa Esta abengakulindzela njani kutsi utawusindza nasekucalile kuhlushwa kwemaJuda? Nalapho, Modekhayi wakhombisa kwetsembela kwakhe kakhulu kuJehova, labengeke avumele bantfu bakhe bacedvwe futsi netetsembiso takhe tingagcwaliseki. (Josh. 23:14) Modekhayi wase ubuta Esta, watsi: “Empeleni, ngubani nje lowatiko kutsi mhlawumbe wena wentelwa sona lesikhatsi kutsi ube yinkhosikati lenkhulu?” (Esta 4:12-14) Kufanele simlingise Modekhayi ngobe wetsembela ngalokuphelele kuNkulunkulu wakhe Jehova. Siyakwenta yini tsine loku?​—Taga 3:5, 6.

Kukholwa Lokunemandla Kwendlula Kwesaba Kufa

24. Esta wakukhombisa njani kukholwa nesibindzi?

²⁴ Besesifikile sikhatsi sekutsi Esta ente sincumo. Wacela Modekhayi kutsi atjele bantfu bakubo bazile naye emalanga lamatsatfu, kulomlayeto wakhe waphetsa ngalamavi lasasebenta nalamuhla laveta kukholwa nesibindzi, latsi: “Nangabe ngiyafa, ngife kube kanye.” (Esta 4:15-17) Kungenteka kutsi wathantaza ngekutimisela tikhatsi letinyenti kulamalanga lamatsatfu kwendlula nobe ngabe ngusiphi sikhatsi ekuphileni kwakhe. Ekugcineni, sefika leso sikhatsi. Wagcoka ingubo yakhe lenhle kakhulu yasebukhosini, wenta konkhe lokusemandleni akhe kutsi abukeke amuhle enkhosini. Wase uyahamba.

25. Chaza lokwenteka ngesikhatsi Esta aya endvodzeni yakhe.

²⁵ Njengobe kuchaziwe ekucaleni kwalesehluko, Esta waya esigodlweni senkhosi. Singacabanga ngekwetfuka nemithantazo lebeyisolo isenhlitiyweni nasengcondvweni yakhe. Wangena emabaleni lapho labengabona khona Ahashiveroshi ahleti esihlalweni sakhe sebukhosi. Kungenteka kutsi wetama kubuka buso bakhe kute abone kutsi ukusiphi simo. Nangabe bekutawudzingeka alindze, bekutawuba shengatsi ulindze phakadze. Kodvwa ngekushesha, indvodza yakhe yambona. Yamangala kakhulu, kodvwa yabese iyakhululeka. Yaphakamisa indvuku yayo yeligolide!​—Esta 5:1, 2.

26. Kungani emaKhristu eliciniso kudzingeka abe nesibindzi njenga-Esta, futsi kungani loko bekusicalo semsebenti wakhe?

²⁶ Inkhosi yayitimisele kuva loko Esta labefuna kukusho. Esta wamelela Nkulunkulu wakhe nebantfu bakubo, atibekela sibonelo lesihle sekukholwa tonkhe tinceku taNkulunkulu kute kube ngulamuhla. EmaKhristu eliciniso lamuhla ayatijabulela tibonelo letifanana naleti. Jesu watsi balandzeli bakhe labacotfo bebatawubonakala ngekuba nelutsandvo lwekutidzela. (Fundza Johane 13:34, 35.) Kute sikhombise lutsandvo lolufanana nalolu, kudzingeka kutsi sibe nesibindzi lesinjengesa-Esta. Ngisho nangemuva kwekutsi Esta amelele bantfu baNkulunkulu ngalelo langa, loko bekusicalo nje semsebenti wakhe. Abetayicinisekisa njani inkhosi kutsi lomeluleki wayo lemtsandzako, longuHamani, ulicili lelikhohlakele? Abetawusifaka njani sandla ekusiteni bantfu bakubo? Sitawucoca ngalemibuto esehlukweni lesilandzelako.

1-3. (a) Abetiva njani Esta ngesikhatsi asondzela esihlalweni sebukhosi sendvodza yakhe? (b) Inkhosi yenta njani nayibona Esta ayivakashele?

KANCANE KANCANE Esta wasondzela esihlalweni sebukhosi, futsi inhlitiyo yakhe beyishayela etulu. Asewubone ngeliso lengcondvo esigodlweni lesikhulu sasePheresiya lebesiseSusa kuthule kutse dvu, kangangekutsi Esta abetiva nakanyatsela, eva nekuhwashatela kwetingubo takhe tasebukhosini. Abengeke avume kuphatanyiswa bukhulu balesigodlo, tinsika taso letikhangako kanye neluphahla lwaso lolwentiwe kahle ngemisedari yaseLebhanoni. Abenake lendvodza lebeyihleti esihlalweni sebukhosi, lebekusetandleni tayo konkhe kuphila kwakhe.

² Inkhosi yambukisisa Esta njengobe asondzela, yase imphakamisela indvuku yayo yeligolide. Lesi bekusento lesimelula kodvwa ku-Esta besisho kuphila, ngobe ngekwenta njalo, inkhosi beyimtsetselela ngekwephula kwakhe umtsetfo wekutsi akukafaneli uvele embikwenkhosi ingakakubiti. Watsi nakefika esihlalweni sebukhosi, Esta welula sandla watsintsa sihloko salendvuku kute avete kubonga kwakhe.​—Esta 5:1, 2.

³ Tonkhe tintfo iNkhosi Ahashiveroshi lebeyinato betiveta kunjinga kwayo kanye nemandla ayo lamakhulu. Timphahla tasebukhosini lebetigcokwa ngemakhosi asePheresiya ngaleto tikhatsi kungenteka betibita imali lelingana nemakhulu etigidzi temarandi. Esta wawubona umusa emehlweni endvodza yakhe, futsi wabona kutsi iyamtsandza. Yatsi: “Kwenteke njani, nkhosikati Esta? Ngitjele kutsi ufunani, utakutfola, nome ngabe kuyincenye yembuso wami.”​—Esta 5:3.

4. Ngumuphi umsebenti Esta lebekusafanele awente?

⁴ Esta abesavele abonise kukholwa nesibindzi lesimangalisako; bekete enkhosini kute avikele bantfu bakubo kulelicebo lebelentiwe lekubabulala bonkhe. Kute kube nguleso sikhatsi abephumelele, kodvwa bekusekunyenti lebekufanele akwente. Bekufanele ente lenkhosi letigabatisako ikholwe kutsi lomeluleki wayo lemetsembako abengumuntfu lomubi futsi abemkhohlisile kuze kubulawe bantfu bakubo-Esta. Abetayicinisekisa njani ngaloku, futsi sifundzani ekukholweni kwakhe?

Wasikhetsa Ngekuhlakanipha ‘Sikhatsi Sekukhuluma’

5, 6. (a) Esta wasisebentisa njani simiso lesitfolakala kuMshumayeli 3:1, 7? (b) Indlela Esta lakhuluma ngayo nendvodza yakhe yaba njani ngulehlakaniphile?

⁵ Bekufanele yini Esta achazele inkhosi ngalenkinga embikwabo bonkhe lebebakhona? Kwenta njalo bekutayihlazisa inkhosi futsi kwente Hamani aphikise loko lokwakushiwo ngu-Esta. Yini-ke Esta layenta? Etinkhulungwaneni teminyaka ngembikwaloko, inkhosi lehlakaniphile Solomoni yaphefumulelwa kutsi ibhale: “Konkhe kunesikhatsi sako, . . . sikhatsi sekubindza nesikhatsi sekukhuluma.” (Shu. 3:1, 7) Singase simcabange Modekhayi indvodza leyetsembekile leyakhulisa Esta, amfundzisa timiso letinjalo njengobe achubeka akhula. Kufanele kutsi Esta wakubona kubaluleka kwekusikhetsa kahle ‘sikhatsi sekukhuluma.’

⁶ Esta watsi: “Uma kukuhle enkhosini yami, ngicela kutsi inkhosi ite naHamani lamuhla edzilini lengililungiselela bona.” (Esta 5:4) Inkhosi yavuma yase itsi akubitwe Hamani. Uyabona yini kutsi Esta wakhuluma ngekuhlakanipha? Wasilondvolota sitfunti sendvodza yakhe futsi wahlela kukuveta ngesikhatsi lesincono loko lokwakumkhatsata.​—Fundza Taga 10:19.

7, 8. Belinjani lidzili lekucala lelentiwa ngu-Esta, kodvwa kungani atsatsa sikhatsi kukhuluma nenkhosi?

⁷ Asingabati kutsi Esta walilungiselela kahle lelidzili, waciniseka kutsi wenta konkhe lokutsandvwa yindvodza yakhe. Kulelidzili bekukhona neliwayini lelimnandzi lebelibenta bajabule. (Hla. 104:15) Ahashiveroshi watijabulisa, futsi loko kwamenta waphindze wabuta Esta kutsi siyini sicelo sakhe. Besekusikhatsi lesikahle yini sekutsi akhulume?

⁸ Esta akazange abone kanjalo. Esikhundleni saloko, wamema inkhosi kanye naHamani kutsi bete edzilini lesibili ngelilanga lelilandzelako. (Esta 5:7, 8) Yini leyamenta watsatsa lesinye sikhatsi? Khumbula kutsi bonkhe bantfu bakubo-Esta bebasengotini yekufa ngenca yemyalo wenkhosi. Njengobe kuphila kwebantfu labanyenti bekusengotini, Esta bekufanele aciniseke kutsi ukhuluma ngesikhatsi lesifanele. Ngako walindza kutsi kuvele lelinye litfuba lekutsi akhombise indlela layihlonipha ngayo indvodza yakhe.

9. Kubaluleke ngani kubeketela, futsi singasilingisa njani sibonelo sa-Esta kulendzaba?

⁹ Kubeketela kuyintfo lengakavami kodvwa leligugu. Nanobe abecindzetelekile futsi afuna kusho lobekusengcondvweni yakhe, Esta wabeketela walindza sikhatsi lesikahle. Singafundza lokunyenti esibonelweni sakhe, ngobe sonkhe kuyenteka kutsi sibone lokubi lokudzinga kulungiswa. Nangabe sifuna kucinisekisa umuntfu loneligunya kutsi alungise inkinga letsite, kungase kudzingeke silingise Esta futsi sibeketele. Taga 25:15 titsi: “Ngekubeketela umbusi angancengeka aze avume, nelulwimi lolumnandzi lungatsambisa ematje.” Nangabe ngekubeketela silindza sikhatsi lesikahle futsi sikhulume ngemusa njengobe kwenta Esta, singakwati kuncoba umuntfu losiphikisako. Nkulunkulu wa-Esta, Jehova, wakubusisa yini kubeketela nekuhlakanipha kwakhe?

Kubeketela Kuvula Indlela Yekutsi Kwentiwe Kulunga

10, 11. Kungani Hamani atfukutsela nakacedza kusuka edzilini lekucala, futsi yini umkakhe nebangani bakhe labamkhutsata kutsi ayente?

¹⁰ Kubeketela kwa-Esta kwavula indlela yekutsi kwenteke tintfo letinyenti letimangalisako. Hamani wesuka kulelidzili lekucala atsakasile, “ativa amnandzi, ajabule kakhulu” ngekutsi utsandvwa yinkhosi kanye nendlovukazi. Ngesikhatsi Hamani endlula esangweni lalesigodlo wabona Modekhayi, umJuda labengafuni kumkhotsamela. Njengobe sibonile esehlukweni lesendvulele, akusiko kutsi Modekhayi abedzelela, kepha abebangelwa ngunembeza wakhe nebuhlobo bakhe naJehova Nkulunkulu. Kodvwa Hamani “watfukutsela watselwa ngemanti.”​—Esta 5:9.

¹¹ Ngesikhatsi Hamani atjela umkakhe nebangani bakhe ngalokuhlanjalatwa, bamkhutsata kutsi amise sigodvo lesikhulu lesingemamitha langetulu kwalangu-22 budze, bese ucela imvume enkhosini kute alengise Modekhayi kuso. Hamani wawutsandza lombono wabo futsi ngekushesha watsi akwentiwe njalo.​—Esta 5:12-14.

12. Kungani inkhosi yacela kufundzelwa emabhuku emilandvo yeMbuso, futsi yatfolani ngesikhatsi afundvwa?

¹² Inkhosi ayizange ilale kahle ebusuku. LiBhayibheli lisitjela kutsi “abuzange sebehle butfongo enkhosini,” ngako yacela kufundzelwa emabhuku emilandvo yeMbuso. Nakusafundvwa, kwafundvwa nembiko lowawumayelana nelicebo lekubulala Ahashiveroshi. Inkhosi yakukhumbula loko lokwenteka, kutsi labo lebebafuna kuyibulala babanjwa base bayabulawa. Kutsiwani-ke ngaModekhayi, lendvodza leyembula lelicebo? Ngekushesha inkhosi yabuta kutsi ukhona yini umvuzo Modekhayi lanikwa wona. Bamphendvula njani? Batsi kute lentelwa kona.​—Fundza Esta 6:1-3.

13, 14. (a) Tintfo tacala njani kungamhambeli kahle Hamani? (b) Umfati waHamani kanye nebangani bakhe batsini kuye?

¹³ Ikhatsatekile, inkhosi yabuta kutsi ngutiphi tindvuna lebetilapho lebetingayisita kulendzaba. Kwatfolakala Hamani alapho esigodlweni senkhosi—kubonakala shengatsi abefike ekuseni kakhulu ngobe ajake kucela imvume yekubulala Modekhayi. Kodvwa kwatsi Hamani asengakasisho sicelo sakhe, inkhosi yambuta kutsi nguyiphi indlela lencono yekubonga umuntfu lotsandzekako kuyo. Hamani abecabanga kutsi inkhosi isho yena. Ngako waveta indlela yekubonga lomuntfu ngekubukisa lokukhulu watsi: Akembatsiswe ingubo yasebukhosini, indvuna lenkhulu ihambe embikwakhe kuyo yonkhe iSusa, lomuntfu abe agibele lihhashi lenkhosi futsi advunyiswe embikwabo bonkhe bantfu. Asewumbone Hamani aswaca nakeva kutsi lomuntfu lebekufanele abongwe bekunguModekhayi. Ngubani inkhosi leyatsi akahambe amemetela emavi ekudvumisa Modekhayi? NguHamani lucobo lwakhe!​—Esta 6:4-10.

¹⁴ Hamani wawenta angatsandzi lowo msebenti lowawumcansula, futsi ngemuva kwaloko wajaka ekhaya acindzetelekile. Umfati wakhe nebangani bakhe batsi konkhe loku bekulishwa, futsi bekuluphawu lwekutsi abengeke aphumelele naketama kulwa naModekhayi longumJuda.​—Esta 6:12, 13.

15. (a) Kubeketela kwa-Esta kwasita njani? (b) Kungani kukuhlakanipha ngatsi kutsi sibe nesimo ‘sekulindza’?

¹⁵ Ngesizatfu sekutsi Esta wabeketela, futsi walindza lelinye lilanga kute avete sicelo sakhe enkhosini, loko kwavula litfuba lekutsi Hamani atihlazise yena. Mhlawumbe nguJehova Nkulunkulu lowabangela kutsi bungehli butfongo benkhosi. (Taga 21:1) Akumangalisi-ke kutsi liVi laNkulunkulu lisikhutsata kutsi sibe nesimo ‘sekulindza.’ (Fundza Mikha 7:7.) Nasilindza Nkulunkulu, singatfola kutsi indlela yakhe yekucatulula tinkinga tetfu ikwendlula khashane loko tsine lebesingase sikucabange.

Wakhuluma Ngesibindzi

16, 17. (a) Sefika nini ‘sikhatsi sekutsi Esta akhulume’? (b) Esta abehluke njani kuVashti labeke waba ngumfati wenkhosi?

¹⁶ Esta abengeke afune kutsi inkhosi iphindze imbeketelele; edzilini lakhe lesibili besekufanele ayitjele konkhe. Kodvwa abetawukwenta njani loko? Inkhosi yamnika litfuba lekutsi akhulume, yaphindze yambuta kutsi siyini sicelo sakhe. (Esta 7:2) Ngako besesifikile ‘sikhatsi sekutsi Esta akhulume.’

¹⁷ Singase simcabange Esta athantaza ngenhlitiyo kuNkulunkulu wakhe ngembikwekutsi asho lamavi latsi: “Nakukuhle enkhosini yami kwemukela sicelo sami, nome ngingesibani, sifiso sami, nkhosi, kutsi mane usindzise imphilo yami, nemphilo yesive sakitsi.” (Esta 7:3) Naka kutsi wayicinisekisa inkhosi ngekutsi uyakuhlonipha kwehlulela kwayo mayelana naloko lekubona kulungile. Esta abehluke kakhulu kuVashti labeke waba ngumfati wenkhosi, lowayihlazisa ngemabomu indvodza yakhe. (Esta 1:10-12) Ngetulu kwaloko, Esta akazange ayisole inkhosi ngekungahlakaniphi kwayo ngekutsi yetsembe Hamani. Kunaloko, wayincenga kutsi imvikele kulentfo lebeyibeka kuphila kwakhe engotini.

18. Esta wayembula njani inkinga enkhosini?

¹⁸ Kufanele kutsi lesicelo sayitsintsa inkhosi futsi sayimangalisa. Ngubani labengabeka kuphila kwendlovukazi yakhe engotini? Esta wachubeka watsi: “Mine nesive sakitsi sitsengisiwe kutsi sibulawe size sife sonkhe siphele. Kube mane bekutsengiswe ngatsi kutsi simane sibe tigcili netigcilikati ngabe ngithulile, ngobe angiboni kutsi loko singaze sikwetfwese inkhosi; kodvwa sitawubhujiswa sonkhe!” (Esta 7:4) Naka kutsi Esta wayichaza ngalokucacile inkinga, kodvwa waphindze watsi abetawubindza kube bebamane nje bafuna kubenta tigcili. Kodvwa lokubulawa kwesive sakubo bekutayitsintsa kakhulu inkhosi, ngako abengeke abindze.

19. Yini lesingayifundza ku-Esta mayelana nekuba nelikhono lekucinisekisa?

¹⁹ Sibonelo sa-Esta sisifundzisa lokukhulu mayelana nekuba nelikhono lekucinisekisa. Nakwenteka udzinga kwembula inkinga lenkhulu kumuntfu lomtsandzako nobe kumuntfu loneligunya, kubeketela, inhlonipho kanye nekukhuluma kahle kungakusita kakhulu.—Taga 16:21, 23.

20, 21. (a) Esta walembula njani licebo laHamani, futsi loku kwenta inkhosi yativa njani? (b) Yini Hamani layenta ngesikhatsi asembulwe njengelicili leliligwala?

²⁰ Ahashiveroshi watsi: “Ngubani lowo? Ukuphi yena lowo muntfu lowente leso sento lesinjalo?” Asewumcabange Esta elula sandla futsi akhomba njengobe atsi: “Sitsa setfu, umuntfu losenyanyako, nalesisinengiso kuye ngunangu Hamani lonenhlitiyo lembi!” Kwentekani ngemuva kwaloko? Hamani lwamutsi bi luvalo! Bubone ngeliso lengcondvo buso benkhosi bushintja njengobe ibona kutsi umeluleki wayo lemetsembako uyente yasayina umtsetfo lobewutawubulala umfati wayo lemtsandzako. Khona lapho, inkhosi yaphumela ngephandle kute ikwati kucabangisisa kahle.​—Esta 7:5-7.

²¹ Njengobe Hamani besekembuliwe kutsi ulicili leliligwala, wakhasa ngemadvolo waya etinyaweni tendlovukazi. Yatsi nayibuya inkhosi kulendlu lebebakuyo yabona Hamani asesihlalweni sa-Esta amncenga, ngako ngekutfukutsela yasola Hamani ngekutsi abefuna kudlwengula indlovukazi yayo khona lapha esigodlweni. Letinsolo betisicinisekiso sekutsi Hamani utawubulawa. Ngako watsatfwa, asambonywe buso. Lenye yetindvuna tenkhosi yatjela inkhosi kutsi Hamani abelungise lugodvo lolukhulu labefuna kulengisa Modekhayi kulo. Masinyane, Ahashiveroshi watsi akube nguHamani lolengiswa kulo.​—Esta 7:8-10.

22. Sibonelo sa-Esta singasifundzisa njani kutsi singapheli emandla, singaphelelwa litsemba nobe kukholwa kwetfu?

²² Kulelive lalamuhla lelite kulunga, kumelula kucabanga kutsi ngeke kwenteke kutsi siboniswe kulunga. Uke wativa yini ngalendlela? Esta akazange aphele emandla, aphelelwe litsemba nobe kukholwa kwakhe. Nasesifikile sikhatsi sekutsi akhulume, wakumelela ngesibindzi kulunga, futsi konkhe lokunye wakushiyela etandleni taJehova. Natsi asente lokufanako. Jehova akakashintji, usenjengobe abenjalo esikhatsini sa-Esta. Usakwati kubamba lababi nalabanebucili emacebweni abo njengobe enta kuHamani.​—Fundza Tihlabelelo 7:11-16.

Watidzela Ngenca YaJehova Nebantfu BaKhe

23. (a) Inkhosi yababonga njani boModekhayi na-Esta? (b) Siphrofetho lesimayelana naBhenjamini lesentiwa nguJakobe ngesikhatsi alele embhedzeni asatawukufa sagcwaliseka njani? (Fundza libhokisi lelitsi “Kugcwaliseka Kwesiphrofetho.”)

²³ Ekugcineni, inkhosi yatfola kutsi Modekhayi abengubani​—abengasiye nje umuntfu lowetsembekile lowamsindzisa ekubulaweni, kodvwa abephindze abe ngubabe lowakhulisa Esta. Ahashiveroshi watsatsa sikhundla saHamani sekuba ngundvunankhulu, wasinika Modekhayi. Indlu yaHamani​—lokufaka ekhatsi umcebo wakhe—​inkhosi yakunika Esta, futsi Esta wakunika Modekhayi kuze akunakekele.​—Esta 8:1, 2.

24, 25. (a) Kungani Esta abengeke akhululeke ngemuva kwekwembula licebo laHamani? (b) Esta waphindze wakubeka njani kuphila kwakhe engotini?

²⁴ Nyalo njengobe Esta naModekhayi besebakhululekile, lendlovukazi beseyitawuyekela yini kukhatsateka? Loko beyingakwenta kube beyiticabangela yona kuphela. Ngaso leso sikhatsi, umtsetfo waHamani wekutsi kubulawe onkhe emaJuda besewusakateke kuyo yonkhe indzawo. Hamani abente inkatho nobe iPhurimu, lokuluhlobo lolutsite lwekusebentelana nemimoya, kuze atfole kutsi ngusiphi sikhatsi lesikahle sekuhlasela ngebudlova. (Esta 9:24-26) Bekusasele tinyanga kutsi lelilanga lifike, kodvwa belisondzela ngekushesha. Lenhlekelele beyisengavimbeka yini?

²⁵ Ngenca yekutsi abengaticabangeli yena, Esta waphindze wakufaka engotini kuphila kwakhe, waya enkhosini ingakambiti. Kuloku, wafike wakhalela bantfu bakubo, wancenga indvodza yakhe kutsi iwesule lomtsetfo lomubi. Kodvwa imitsetfo lebeyishaywa egameni lenkhosi yasePheresiya beyingeke yesulwe. (Dan. 6:12, 15) Ngako lenkhosi yavumela Esta naModekhayi kutsi bakhiphe lomunye umtsetfo. Kwentiwa simemetelo sesibili, emaJuda aniketwa imvume yekutsi ativikele. Bagibeli bemahhashi bebaya kuyo yonkhe indzawo bamemetela letindzaba letimnandzi kumaJuda. Loku kwaphindze kwawaletsela litsemba emaJuda. (Esta 8:3-16) Singase siwacabange emaJuda lakuyo yonkhe lendzawo alungela imphi, lokuyintfo lebeyingeke seyenteke kube awuzange ushaywe lomtsetfo lomusha. Kodvwa umbuto lobaluleke kakhulu kutsi: ‘Simakadze wetimphi’ abetawubakhulula yini bantfu bakhe?​—1 Sam. 17:45.

26, 27. (a) Kuncoba Jehova lakuniketa bantfu bakhe bekukukhulu kangakanani futsi kwaphumelela kangakanani? (b) Ngusiphi siphrofetho lesagcwaliseka ngekubulawa kwemadvodzana aHamani?

²⁶ Latsi naselifikile lelilanga lebelibekiwe, bantfu baNkulunkulu besebakulungele kulwa. Ngisho netindvuna letinyenti tasePheresiya betibasekela, njengobe tindzaba mayelana nandvunankhulu lomusha, Modekhayi umJuda, besetisakateke kuyo yonkhe indzawo. Jehova wenta kutsi bantfu bakhe bancobe. Akungabateki kutsi wabavikela bantfu bakhe ekuphatfweni kabi, ngekutsi abente batehlule ngalokuphelele titsa tabo.a​—Esta 9:1-6.

²⁷ Ngetulu kwaloko, Modekhayi abengeke akwati kwengamela kahle endlini yaHamani njengobe emadvodzana lalishumi alendvodza lebeyilicili abesaphila. Nawo-ke abulawa. (Esta 9:7-10) Ngaleyo ndlela, siphrofetho seliBhayibheli sagcwaliseka ngobe ngaphambilini Nkulunkulu abebiketele kubhujiswa ngalokuphelele kwema-Amaleki, labetitsa letinkhulu tebantfu bakhe. (Dut. 25:17-19) Kufanele kutsi emadvodzana aHamani abesemkhatsini webantfu bekugcina baleso sive lababulawa.

28, 29. (a) Kungani bekuyintsandvo yaJehova kutsi Esta nebantfu bakubo bahlanganyele emphini? (b) Kungani sibonelo sa-Esta sisibusiso kitsi lamuhla?

²⁸ Nanobe Esta abesemncane ngeminyaka, bekunemitfwalo lemikhulu lebekufanele ayetfwale, njengemitsetfo yasesigodlweni lehlanganisa kulwiwa kwetimphi kanye nekukhishwa kwetehlulelo. Loko bekungasimelula. Kodvwa Jehova abefuna bantfu bakhe bavikeleke ekubhujisweni, ngobe sive saka-Israyeli bekufanele sivete Mesiya lowetsenjisiwe, lokuphela kwelitsemba labo bonkhe bantfu. (Gen. 22:18) Tinceku taNkulunkulu lamuhla tiyakujabulela kwati kutsi ngesikhatsi Mesiya longuJesu eta emhlabeni, wabalela balandzeli bakhe kutsi bahlanganyele etimphini.​—Mat. 26:52.

²⁹ Nanobe kunjalo, kunalenye imphi emaKhristu lahlanganyela kuyo, ngobe Sathane utimisele kakhulu kunanobe ngunini ngaphambili kutsi acedze kukholwa kwetfu kuJehova Nkulunkulu. (Fundza 2 Khorinte 10:3, 4.) Kusibusiso lesikhulu kutsi Esta abe sibonelo setfu! Njengaye, shengatsi singakhombisa kukholwa kwetfu ngekutsi sihlakaniphe, sibeketele nasicinisekisa bantfu, sibe nesibindzi, futsi sitimisele kumelela bantfu baNkulunkulu ngekutidzela.