Taken from Amazing Mazes for Kids by Steve and Becky Miller, copyright © 1998 and published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. Used by permission. |
Esther: The Queen Who Saved Israel
Esther
When King Xerxes of Persia needed a new queen, he chose a young woman named Esther. He did not know it, but Esther was one of the Israelites. At that time, many Israelites lived as servants and slaves in Persia. Esther's uncle, whose name was Mordecai, told her, "Don't tell anyone you are from the land of Israel."
King Xerxes had many important officials in his royal court. One was a man named Haman. He hated Mordecai.
Haman wanted to get rid of Mordecai. He knew Mordecai was an Israelite, so he asked King Xerxes to make a new law: All the people of Israel were to be put to death! Because the king did not know Queen Esther was an Israelite, he didn't realize she would have to die, too.
When Mordecai heard about the new rule, he told Esther, "King Xerxes plans to kill all the Israelites! You must go to the king and save us!"
Esther came before the king, and he asked her, "What do you want?" She invited him to a dinner, asking for Haman to join them.
King Xerxes and Haman went to the dinner. Again the king said, "Tell me what you want. I will give it to you!" Queen Esther answered, "Please save my people, and my own life," she said. "Haman wants to kill all of us!"
The king became very angry with Haman and had him punished. He then made a new law to save all the people of Israel, including Queen Esther. Because Queen Esther spoke up to the king, the nation of Israel was saved. |
