1. What disobedient act by King Saul was the root cause of the problem in the book of Esther? Why? 1 Samuel 15:3, 7-9; Esther 3:1; Prophets and Kings (PK) p. 600.
2. Read the book of Esther. Gain an understanding of the historical connections between 1 Samuel 9:1, 2 & 10:1 and the book of Esther. What are the contrasts between Ruth and Esther? (Ruth and Esther are the only two books of the Bible named after women.) Ruth 3:1-6, Esther 4:13-16; Ruth 3:8-13, Esther 6:1-10
3. How was Esther related to Mordecai? Why was she in his care? Esther 2:7
4. Who is the real protagonist (hero/heroine) of the story of Esther? Defend your answer.
5. Why did Esther become Queen? Esther 1:10-12, 15-19; 2:8, 15-17
6. What was the cause of Haman’s deep hatred of Mordecai? What did he do about it? Esther 3:1-13
7. What did Esther ask Mordecai to do before she went into King Ahasuerus? What great statement did she make? Esther 4:16
8. Why is Esther a heroine in this story? Esther 4:15-16
9. Describe how Esther brought her problem to the King’s attention and the outcome of those events. Esther 5:1-8; 6:1-10
10. What happened to Haman on the night between the two banquets prepared by Queen Esther? Esther 5:9—6:1-10
11. How was the edict to kill all the Jews in Persia overcome? Whey did they have to write another law? Esther 8:8-12
12. How many sons did Haman have? What happened to them? Esther 9:10, 13, 14
13. What is the ultimate outcome of the saga of Esther? Esther chapters 9 & 10
14. How many times is God mentioned in the book of Esther?
15. What is the most striking correlation between Esther’s time and ours? PK pp.605-606
16. Know how to set a table and fold a cloth napkin for a formal banquet. Be able to prepare the following: punch, a simple desert of strawberries dipped in chocolate, and a salad with each of the following: apple bird, dumbbell-slivered carrots in black olives, egg frog, and radish/tomato roses. Arrange the salad items on a plate and drizzle with raspberry vinaigrette.
