Esther Chapter 2:1-18: A Queen in the Making

This part of Esther’s story is like a captivating drama full of beauty, secrets, and unexpected turns. King Xerxes, who was known for his lavish lifestyle, decided to hold a huge beauty pageant to find a new queen. This wasn’t just any beauty pageant – the winner would become the most powerful woman in the kingdom!

Esther’s Secret Identity

Meanwhile, a young Jewish woman named Esther was living with her cousin Mordecai. Esther was beautiful and kind, but she was keeping a huge secret – she was Jewish. In those days, being Jewish in Persia wasn’t always safe. Mordecai told Esther to keep her heritage hidden, and she entered the king’s pageant.

A Favourable Impression

Esther quickly became a favourite of Hegai, the man in charge of the contest. He gave her special treatment and the best beauty products. Esther didn’t let this go to her head. She remained humble and listened to Mordecai’s advice.

A New Queen

When it was Esther’s turn to meet the king, she captivated him with her beauty and grace. Xerxes chose Esther to be his queen! She didn’t forget her roots or her people, even though she was now living in a palace. She was still secretly loyal to her Jewish faith and to Mordecai.

Study Questions

1. Trust and Obedience: Why was it important for Esther to trust Mordecai’s advice? What are some situations where you need to trust the guidance of adults or mentors in your life?
2. Inner Beauty: Esther was physically beautiful, but what do you think her true beauty was? How can you cultivate inner beauty in your own life?
3. Keeping Secrets: Esther had to hide her true identity. Have you ever had to keep a secret? How did it make you feel? Can you think of times when it’s okay to keep a secret, and times when it’s important to share the truth?
4. God’s Plan: Even though we can’t see the future, how does Esther’s story show us that God can use even difficult or unexpected situations to work out His plans?
5. Esther’s Faith: How do you think Esther’s Jewish faith helped her during this time? How does your faith help you when you face challenges?

Let’s Talk! Have you ever felt out of place or like you were hiding a part of yourself? How did you handle it? How can Esther’s story inspire you to be courageous and trust God even when things are uncertain?