Esther

King Ahasuerus held a grand feast for his princes and servants, showcasing his wealth and power, and later extended the feast to all the people in the palace. Queen Vashti also held a separate feast for the women. However, when the king commanded Vashti to appear before him with her royal crown, she refused, enraging the king. The king's advisors, led by Memucan, advised that Vashti be banished from the king's presence and her royal estate given to another, to prevent other women from disobeying their husbands. The king agreed and sent letters to all his provinces, declaring that every man should rule in his own house.

King Ahasuerus, having calmed down from his anger towards Vashti, decided to find a new queen by gathering all the beautiful young virgins in the kingdom and letting them compete for his favor. Among the gathered virgins was Esther, a Jewish girl who had been taken in by her cousin Mordecai after her parents' death. Esther pleased the king and was given special treatment, but she kept her Jewish heritage a secret as instructed by Mordecai. Eventually, Esther was chosen to be the new queen, and Mordecai, who sat at the king's gate, discovered a plot to assassinate the king and informed Esther, who then told the king, resulting in the execution of the would-be assassins.

King Ahasuerus promoted Haman, who was given a high position above all the other princes, and the king ordered everyone to bow to him. However, Mordecai, a Jew, refused to bow to Haman, which enraged him and led him to seek the destruction of all the Jews in the kingdom. Haman convinced the king to issue a decree to destroy all the Jews on the 13th day of the 12th month, and the king gave him permission to do so, even offering him the silver that Haman had offered to pay for the destruction. The decree was sent to all the provinces, ordering the destruction of all Jews, and the king and Haman celebrated while the city of Shushan was in an uproar.

Mordecai learns of the king's decree to destroy the Jews and reacts with mourning and fasting, prompting Esther to send him clothes and inquire about the reason for his actions. Mordecai informs Esther of the decree and the sum of money Haman promised to pay for the destruction of the Jews, and asks her to intercede with the king. Esther is hesitant due to the risk of death for approaching the king unsummoned, but Mordecai urges her to act, suggesting that her position in the kingdom may be for this very purpose. Esther agrees to approach the king after a three-day fast by herself and the Jews in Shushan.

Esther, dressed in royal attire, stood before King Ahasuerus, who extended his golden sceptre to her, signifying his favor. Esther requested the king and Haman to attend a banquet she had prepared, which the king agreed to. At the banquet, the king again offered to grant Esther's request, but she asked him to attend another banquet the following day instead. Haman, who had been invited to both banquets, was infuriated when Mordecai refused to show him respect, and his wife and friends advised him to have Mordecai hanged on a gallows.

The king, unable to sleep, ordered the book of records to be read to him, and it was discovered that Mordecai had previously saved the king from an assassination attempt. The king asked what honor had been given to Mordecai and was told that nothing had been done. Haman, who had come to the court to request permission to hang Mordecai, was instead ordered by the king to honor Mordecai by dressing him in royal apparel and parading him through the city. Haman reluctantly carried out the task, and afterwards, he told his wife and friends about the humiliation he had suffered, and they warned him that he would ultimately fall before Mordecai.

At a banquet, King Ahasuerus asks Esther to make a request, and she reveals that she and her people are in danger of being destroyed. Esther identifies Haman as the enemy, and the king, enraged, leaves the banquet. Haman tries to beg for his life from Esther, but the king returns and orders Haman to be hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai.

King Ahasuerus gave the house of Haman to Esther and appointed Mordecai over it. Esther then begged the king to reverse the edict devised by Haman to destroy the Jews, and the king allowed Mordecai to write a new decree in the king's name, sealed with the king's ring, granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies. The decree was sent to all 127 provinces, and the Jews were given permission to gather and defend themselves on the 13th day of the 12th month. As a result, the Jews rejoiced and many people of the land became Jews due to their newfound respect for them.

The Jews, having been given permission by King Ahasuerus to defend themselves, gathered in their cities and killed their enemies, with the king's officials and rulers helping them due to their fear of Mordecai. In Shushan, the Jews killed 500 men, including the 10 sons of Haman, and were granted permission to continue their defense the next day, resulting in the deaths of 300 more men. The Jews in the rest of the kingdom also defended themselves, killing 75,000 of their enemies. The Jews then celebrated their victory with feasting and gift-giving, establishing the holiday of Purim to commemorate their deliverance.

King Ahasuerus imposed a tribute on the land and the islands of the sea. The acts of the king's power and Mordecai's greatness are recorded in the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia. Mordecai held a high position next to King Ahasuerus and was respected by the Jews, working for their prosperity and peace.