Esther

I. King Ahasuerus and Queen Vashti of Persia (1:1-22)

A. A 180-day banquet (1:1-4)
B. A 7-day banquet (1:5-9)
C. Vashti's refusal to be displayed (1:10-12)
D. Vashti deposed (1:13-22)

II. Esther Becomes Queen (2:1-18)

A. The search (2:1-4)
B. Esther prepared (2:5-11)
C. Esther chosen (2:12-18)

III. Mordecai Foils an Assassination Plot (2:19-23)

IV. Haman's Plot to Kill Mordecai and the Jews (3:1-15)

A. Haman's hatred (3:1-6)
B. Casting lots (3:7)
C. Haman slyly convinces the king (3:8-9)
D. Decree signed and circulated (3:10-15)

V. Mordecai and Esther Save the Jews (4:1-9:17)

A. Mordecai weeps and fasts (4:1-3)
B. Mordecai convinces Esther to intercede (4:4-17)
C. First banquet Esther has for king and Haman (51-8)
D. Haman's plan to rid himself of Mordecai (5:9-14)

1. Haman's mounting hatred (5:9-10a)
2. Haman reports to wife and friends (5:10b-13)
3. Wife and friends suggest building a gallows on which to hang Haman (5:14)

E. King rewards Mordecai for faithful service (6:1-13)

1. King is reminded of Mordecai's service (6:1-3)
2. Haman unwittingly provides method for rewarding Mordecai (6:4-9)
3. Haman forced to honor Mordecai (6:10-11)
4. Haman's fury grows (6:12-13)

F. Second banquet Esther has for king and Haman (6:14-7:10)

1. King and Haman arrive (6:14-7:1)
2. Esther reveals Haman's treachery (7:2-6)
3. Haman pleads for his life but his actions are misinterpreted (7:7-8)
4. Haman hung on his gallows (7:9-10)

G. Salvation (8:1-9:17)

1. Esther and Mordecai receive house of Haman (8:1-2)
2. Royal proclamation allows Jews to defend themselves (8:3-14)
3. Jews rejoice (8:15-17)
4. Jews slaughter their enemies (9:1-17)

H. Feast of Purim (9:18-32)

VI. Conclusion (10:1-3)