Esther Keeps Her Jewish Identity Secret and Becomes Queen
(Esther 2)
After Queen Vashti was removed from her throne, King Xerxes of Persia needed a new queen. His servants suggested that beautiful young virgins be brought from all over the kingdom to the royal palace in Susa. The king agreed, and a great search began. Young women were gathered from every province and brought to the harem under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch in charge of the women.
Among those taken to the palace was a young Jewish woman named Esther. She was an orphan, raised by her cousin Mordecai, who worked at the king's gate. Mordecai had adopted Esther as his own daughter after her parents died. Esther was lovely in form and beautiful to look at, and she quickly won the favor of Hegai. He gave her special beauty treatments, provided her with fine food, and assigned seven maids to attend to her. He also moved her and her maids to the best place in the harem.
Esther did not reveal her Jewish heritage or her people, because Mordecai had commanded her not to. Every day Mordecai walked near the courtyard of the harem to see how Esther was doing and to learn what was happening to her. Each young woman had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments before she could go before the king. When it was Esther's turn to go to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai suggested. She did not demand fancy jewelry or fine clothes like the other women. She trusted the advice of the eunuch who cared for her, and everyone who saw her was impressed.
When Esther was brought before King Xerxes in the seventh year of his reign, the king loved her more than all the other women. She won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he placed a royal crown on her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. The king held a great feast in Esther's honor, a banquet for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and gave gifts in keeping with his royal generosity. But even as queen, Esther continued to follow Mordecai's instruction and did not tell anyone she was Jewish.
Later, while Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, he overheard a secret plot. Two of the king's eunuchs, Bigthana and Teresh, who guarded the doorway, became angry with the king and planned to assassinate him. Mordecai learned of their evil scheme and told Queen Esther. Esther reported the plot to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. The matter was investigated and found to be true, so the two eunuchs were executed. All of this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king. In this way, Mordecai's faithful act was written down for all time, though the king did not reward him right away. God was quietly at work, preparing for a much greater rescue that would come later.
A Curious Question
Why do you think Esther kept her Jewish family a secret even after she became queen of Persia?
Jesus Connection
Esther risked her position to save her people, but she could only do so by the king's favor. Jesus is the true King who did not need anyone's permission to save His people. He left His throne in heaven and came to earth as a man. He willingly gave His own life on the cross to rescue us from sin and death. Just as Esther was willing to approach the king for her people's sake, Jesus approached the Father for our sake. But unlike Esther, Jesus did not just risk His life; He laid it down and took it up again. Read more in Romans 5:8, which says that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Discussion Questions
- Esther followed Mordecai's instruction and kept her Jewish identity secret. Why was it so important for her to obey him in this way?
- Esther asked for nothing except what Hegai suggested when she went before the king. What does this tell you about her character and her trust in others?
- Mordecai saved the king's life by reporting the plot, but he was not rewarded right away. How does this show that God is still working even when we do not see immediate results?
So What? What Can I Do?
- What are you afraid to tell others about? Esther kept a secret about who she really was. Is there something you hide because you are scared of what others might think? You can ask God to give you courage.
- How can you help someone even when no one is watching? Mordecai saved the king without getting a reward right away. What is one kind thing you can do this week for someone, just because it is the right thing to do?
- Who has God placed in your life to guide you? Esther listened to Mordecai. Who are the wise people God has given you to help you make good choices?
Memorize God's Word
Esther 4:14: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
- And who knows shrug your shoulders and turn your palms up to show you do not know.
- but that you have come point both thumbs toward yourself, then sweep your hand forward.
- to your royal position place both hands on your head like a crown.
- for such a time as this tap your wrist like a watch, then point both hands down to the floor.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank you for placing people in our lives to guide us, just as Mordecai guided Esther. Help us to be brave and to trust you with our whole hearts. Show us how we can be part of your big plan, even when we do not understand it yet. In Jesus' name, amen.
Craft or Activity
Queen Esther's Crown
Children will decorate their own royal crown to remind them of how God placed Esther in a royal position for a special purpose.
Materials Checklist:
- Give each child a paper crown template.
- Let them color the crown with markers or crayons in royal colors like purple, gold, and blue.
- Add jewel stickers or sparkly stickers to decorate the crown like Queen Esther's crown.
- Staple or tape the ends of the crown to fit each child's head.
- Wear the crown and remember that God placed Esther on the throne for a special reason.
Effective Teaching Techniques
For Younger Children: Focus on the idea that Esther was chosen and loved by the king. Help them connect this to being chosen and loved by God. Keep the focus on Esther's obedience to Mordecai and her kindness toward others.
For Older Kids: Discuss the historical context of Persia and what it meant for a Jewish orphan to become queen of the most powerful empire in the world. Talk about the political intrigue of the plot against the king and how God's providence works behind the scenes.
Classroom Management: Use the crown craft as a hands-on activity to keep children engaged while you review the story. Let children wear their crowns as they answer discussion questions to help them feel like part of the royal story.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Esther keep her Jewish identity a secret from the king?
- Her cousin Mordecai instructed her not to reveal her people or family background, likely because Jews were not always favored in the Persian empire, and he wanted to protect her.
- How did Esther become queen even though she was a poor orphan?
- Esther won favor with everyone who saw her during the year of beauty treatments, and King Xerxes loved her more than all the other women, so he chose her as queen.
- Why is it important that Mordecai saved the king's life through Esther?
- This good deed was recorded in the king's official records, and it later became the reason the king wanted to honor Mordecai, which played a key role in reversing Haman's evil plan.