Question 1

What is happening on the thirteenth day of Adar in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The thirteenth day of Adar was the date first set for the destruction of the Jews by an earlier royal decree. Their enemies expected to have power over them on this day. But a later decree allowed the Jews to gather and defend themselves. When the day arrived, everything was turned around. Instead of being wiped out, the Jews stood together in their cities, their enemies lost courage, and the Jews gained the upper hand over those who wanted to harm them.

Question 2

Who is Mordecai here, and why did the rulers fear him?

Accepted Answer

Mordecai is a Jew who had been raised to high office in the king’s house. He was close to the king and related to the queen. His wisdom and just leadership became known through all the provinces, and he kept growing in honour and power. Because of his position, the rulers, lieutenants, and other officials were afraid to oppose him. They knew it would cost them to side with the Jews’ enemies, so they helped and supported the Jews instead of standing against them.

Question 3

Why could no one withstand the Jews in this passage?

Accepted Answer

No one could withstand the Jews for a few clear reasons. First, the new decree gave the Jews legal right to defend themselves and to strike those who attacked them. Second, the fear of them fell on all the people, because the queen was Jewish, Mordecai was now powerful, and the court clearly favoured them. Behind all this, God was working. He gave the Jews courage and caused panic among their enemies, so that those who hated them were no match for them when the day came.

Question 4

Why did the Jews kill Haman’s ten sons and five hundred men in Shushan?

Accepted Answer

Haman’s ten sons and the five hundred men in Shushan were part of the group that hated the Jews and wanted to carry out the earlier plan to destroy them. Even near the royal court, there were still many who were loyal to Haman’s cause and angry at his fall. When the set day came, they rose up against the Jews, and the Jews defended themselves. Haman’s sons seem to have led this opposition, so they were killed along with many who followed them in attacking God’s people.

Question 5

Why does the passage stress that the Jews did not take any spoil?

Accepted Answer

The text repeats that the Jews did not lay their hands on the spoil to show their motives. They were not fighting out of greed or to grab property. They were acting in self-defense and carrying out just judgment on those who were bent on their destruction. By refusing the goods of those they killed, they showed respect for God and for their own consciences. It made clear that this was about survival and justice, not profit or revenge for wealth.

Question 6

What does this passage teach about God’s protection of His people?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows God quietly but strongly guarding His people. The very day set for their ruin became the day of their rescue. God had already placed Esther as queen and raised Mordecai to power. He caused fear to fall on the enemies and favour to fall on the Jews. The people still had to gather, stand together, and fight, but the outcome came from God. He turned the plans of the wicked back on their own heads and kept His people from being destroyed.

Question 7

How should we think about the violence in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The violence here can be hard to read, but the passage is clear that the Jews were not the aggressors. An earlier law had allowed their enemies to attack them, and many still wanted to do so. A second law let the Jews defend themselves and strike those who sought their hurt. So this is not about random killing but about self-defense and carrying out a just sentence against those determined to destroy them. The focus is on God turning evil plans back, not on praising bloodshed itself.

Question 8

How can this story of the Jews’ defense help believers today?

Accepted Answer

This story reminds believers that God can turn dark days around, even when everything seems fixed against them. The Jews did not sit still; they gathered, stood together, and used the help God gave through rulers and laws. Yet it is clear that their courage and their enemies’ fear came from God’s hand. Today, this can encourage believers to trust God’s quiet work behind events, to stand united when opposed, to act with clean motives, and to leave the final outcome in His care.

Esther 9:1

The Jews Destroy Their Enemies

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Esther 9:1

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The Jews Destroy Their Enemies

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