Esther - Chapter 9

Esther 9.1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king’s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) Esther 9.2 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. Esther 9.3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. Esther 9.4 For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. Esther 9.5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them. Esther 9.6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men. Esther 9.7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, Esther 9.8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, Esther 9.9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha, Esther 9.10 The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand. Esther 9.11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king. Esther 9.12 And the king said unto Esther the queen, The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of Haman; what have they done in the rest of the king’s provinces? now what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy request further? and it shall be done. Esther 9.13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day’s decree, and let Haman’s ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. Esther 9.14 And the king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons. Esther 9.15 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. Esther 9.16 But the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey, Esther 9.17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. Esther 9.18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. Esther 9.19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. Esther 9.20 And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, Esther 9.21 To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, Esther 9.22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. Esther 9.23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; Esther 9.24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; Esther 9.25 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Esther 9.26 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, Esther 9.27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; Esther 9.28 And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the memorial of them perish from their seed. Esther 9.29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim. Esther 9.30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, Esther 9.31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry. Esther 9.32 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

Esther : Chapter 9

The Victory of the Jews in Esther Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of the book of Esther testifies to the resounding victory of the Jews over their enemies. This powerful story illustrates how God's people triumph thanks to divine liberation and the faithfulness of their Creator. The verses describe in detail the defeat of their adversaries, the execution of Haman's sons, and, most importantly, the establishment of the festival of Purim, a time of commemoration and remembrance.

Themes of Liberation and Celebration

Esther 9 establishes a festival that celebrates God's faithfulness to his people. Through this victorious chapter, we are invited to delve deeper into God's Word. Here are five biblical passages that shed light on the triumphant themes of this celebration.

Inspirational Bible Passages

Psalm 124:6-7: "Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us into our own grasp. Like a bird, we escape from the hunter's snare; the snare is broken, and we are escaped." These verses reflect the miraculous deliverance of the Jews, as described in Esther 9.

Deuteronomy 20:4: "For the Lord your God goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to give you victory." This verse emphasizes that the victory of the Jews over their enemies is attributed to divine intervention.

Psalm 118:24: "This is the day of the Lord's doing; let us be glad and rejoice in it." This psalm expresses the joy and celebration of the Jews after their victory, echoing the spirit of Purim.

Proverbs 21:1: "The king's heart is like a river controlled by the Lord; he directs it wherever he wishes." This proverb shows how God used King Xerxes to save his people in the story of Esther.

Luke 1:52: "He put down the rulers from their thrones, but exalted the lowly." This verse from Mary's song resonates with the reversal of fortune observed in Esther 9, where the Jews triumph over their oppressors.

Conclusion

As we meditate on Esther 9 and these biblical passages, we are reminded of God's power in our lives and His ability to deliver us from our enemies. May this celebration of Purim inspire us to recognize and celebrate God's actions in our personal and collective history.