ESTHER, Chap. vi, 1-14 and Chap. vii
1-10
IT is a curious fact thnt the name of God is not mentioned in the book of Esther.
It contains little or no religious writing, but deals historically with events occurring during the reign of Ahasuerus or Xerxes King of. Persia, the outcome of which was the emancipation of the Jews held in captivity by him.
A certain Haman was Grand Vizier at the tune, and the edict went forth that every one should bow down before him...
Now Esther the Queen was herself a Jewess, niece of one of the exiles named Mordicai, who, since he had revealed a' plot against the King's life, sat daily at the King's gate. But because he was a Jew, he refused to do homage to Haman.
This filled Haman with anger, and he swore enmity against all Jews, and the destruction of Mordicai.
Indeed, he went so far as to prepare a gallows fifty cubits high on which to hang this insolent man who refused to obey the Royal decree.
This afternoon's reading relates how Esther with the assistance of Mordicai accomplished the downfall of Haman, so that lie himself was hanged on the gallows he had made.
The last chapters of the book tell of the deliverance of the Jews, who were allowed to slay their enemies for two days.