The document recounts the story of King Ahasuerus and Queen Esther from the Book of Esther, detailing the king's extravagant feast, Queen Vashti's refusal to be displayed, and Esther's rise to become the new queen after a beauty contest. It highlights the conflict with Haman, who plots against the Jews, and Esther's courageous efforts to save her people, culminating in a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves. Ultimately, the narrative emphasizes themes of courage, providence, and the reversal of fortunes, culminating in the establishment of the holiday of Purim.

1. The festival of the dice

2. In the citadel of Susa

3. Ahasuarus was a mighty king

4. The Ahasuarus that ruled over 127 provinces

5. The King displayed his glory for
180 daysCh 1

6. In this story…
There will be three best supporting
(inanimate) minor characters in the book

7. In this story…
There will be three best supporting
(inanimate) minor characters in the book
Wine

8. In this story…
There will be three best supporting
(inanimate) minor characters in the book
Wine

9. In this story…
There will be three best supporting
(inanimate) minor characters in the book
Letters

10. In this story…
There will be three best supporting
(inanimate) minor characters in the book
Letters

11. In this story…
There will be three best supporting
(inanimate) minor characters in the book
Gallows

12. In this story…
There will be three best supporting
(inanimate) minor characters in the book
Gallows

13. In this story…
There will be three best supporting
(inanimate) minor characters in the book
Gallows

14. Xerxes land was vast.

15. Xerxes land was vast.

16. The Babylonian Postal System
It is said that as many days as there are in the whole
journey, so many are the men and horses that stand
along the road, each horse and man at the interval of
a day’s journey; and these are stayed neither by
snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from
accomplishing their appointed course with all
speed.

17. The Babylonian Postal System
It is said that as many days as there are in the whole
journey, so many are the men and horses that stand
along the road, each horse and man at the interval of
a day’s journey; and these are stayed neither by
snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from
accomplishing their appointed course with all
speed.

18. The Babylonian Postal System
It is said that as many days as there are in the whole
journey, so many are the men and horses that stand
along the road, each horse and man at the interval of
a day’s journey; and these are stayed neither by
snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from
accomplishing their appointed course with all
speed.

19. Then King Ahasuerus
threw a party
His party lasted 7 days

20. the law of the party was that
every man got ‘whatever they desired’
His party lasted 7 days

21. and the laws
of the Medes and the Persians
could not be revoked

22. A toast

23. We will play
a little game
as we tell the story

24. After the party, the King likely held
some military campaign
Darius I?
Xerxes?

25. After the party, the King likely held
some military campaign
Darius I?
Xerxes?

26. The king
X’ed out the enemies

27. show me
X
The king
X’ed out the enemies

28. no X
a tough after party
x
The king
X’ed out the enemies

29. The Queen (aka Vashti)
threw her party
(psst!!! description
10 times shorter
than the king’s party)

30. A long celebration ended with a 7 day feast
where the King sent 7 Eunuchs to fetch the Queen to put
her on display for the guests
she refused

31. queen no longer
Fearing a ‘feminist’ uprising
the King’s legal advisers said to remove the Queen
and make a law that what the husband says goes!

32. queen no longer
Fearing a ‘feminist’ uprising
the King’s legal advisers said to remove the Queen
and make a law that what the husband says goes!
The laws cannot be revoked. Done .

33. queen no longer
Fearing a ‘feminist’ uprising
the King’s legal advisers said to remove the Queen
and make a law that what the husband says goes!
The laws cannot be revoked. Done .

34. Vashti has a V
show me
v
x

35. no V
show me
v
c
x
Vashti has a V

36. Time passed

37. The king remembered Vashti and was sad
Time passed

38. So the young men suggested a beauty contest
to select a queen

39. So the young men suggested a beauty contest
to select a queen

40. So the young men suggested a beauty contest
to select a queen

41. So the young men suggested a beauty contest
to select a queen

42. So the young men suggested a beauty contest
to select a queen

43. He liked the idea

44. By order of the King
letters sent out to the 127 provinces and languages

45. letters sent out to the 127 provinces and languages
By order of the King

46. sent out to the 127 provinces and languages
By order of the King

47. sent out to the 127 provinces and languages
and announced with open letters

48. Hadassah
Meaning Myrtle
she was beautiful of figure and face

49. Hadassah
she was raised by her older cousin
Her parents died

50. contestants ‘taken’
and brought to the King

51. Makeover
time!!!

52. 12 months beauty makeover
for contestants
6 months of
treatment with oils
and myrrh

53. 12 months beauty makeover
for contestants
6 months of
treatment with perfumes

54. each woman was brought to the King

55. The King loved one young girl more than all others
A Star was Born

56. A young Jewish orphan girl won his royal heart.
A Star was Born
Esther - meaning star

57. All the world was told
A.K.A
Haddassah
Esther - meaning star
A young Jewish orphan girl won his royal heart.

58. All the world was told
A.K.A
Haddassah
raised
by
Mordecai
Esther - meaning star
A young Jewish orphan girl won his royal heart.

59. The celebration so great that
the King even cut taxes
when he married Esther
The king called it Esther’s Feast!

60. A toast

62. everyone thought they were a stunning couple

63. Young Haddasah had an older cousin named
Mordecai
who looked out for her

64. Mordecai can’t come in the palace
but stays at the gate
Close as he could get to Esther
a lot can happen at the gate

65. The city gate was the place of business

66. Mordecai learns of a plot
against the King
….a lot goes on at the gate

67. Mordecai tells Esther who tells the King

68. Mordecai tells Esther who tells the King

69. Mordecai tells Esther who tells the King

70. plot foiled

71. Shortly after this…. the King promoted
an ambitious man named Haman
A new character emerges

73. Haman was extremely pleased with his success

74. People stood and trembled before him!

75. Haman was extremely displeased that Mordecai
would not stand before him
or tremble before him

76. Haman expenses frustration over Mordecai to his wife

77. Haman reminds his family of his many accomplishments

78. Haman expenses frustration over Mordecai to his wife
And gets some advice

79. Haman expenses frustration over Mordecai to his wife
A plot with a lot

80. Build a 75 foot gallows in your yard
and hang Mordecai
All his friends agreed as well

81. Haman has a Plot with ‘a Lot’
c
x

82. Haman has a Plot with ‘a Lot’
no P
for Plot
c
x

83. Haman has a Plot with ‘a Lot’
no L
for Lot
c
x

84. Haman offers to give
the king a lot of money
as long as he can get rid
of the Jews

86. Haman offers to give
the king a lot of money
as long as he can get rid
of the Jews

87. Haman offers to give
the king a lot of money
as long as he can get rid
of the Jews

88. a deal was struckCh 1
revenues down
since the King cut taxes
for the wedding

89. a deal was struckCh 1
neither know
Esther is a Jew
revenues down
since the King cut taxes
for the wedding

90. a deal was struckCh 1
neither know
Esther is a Jew
he could use
the cash

91. A toast

92. so Haman decided
to choose a day
to rid himself of ‘the problem’

93. so Haman decided
to choose a day
to rid himself of ‘the problem’

94. so Haman decided
to choose a day
to rid himself of ‘the problem’

95. so Haman decided
to choose a day
to rid himself of ‘the problem’

96. 11 months from then
‘the problem’ solved

97. and publish it with open letters
11 months ahead of the deed

98. an edict written by Haman
letters sent out to the 127 provinces and languages

99. an edict written by Haman
letters sent out to the 127 provinces and languages

100. and announced with open letters
an edict written by Haman
sent out to the 127
provinces and languages

101. sent out to the 127
provinces and languages
and announced with open letters
an edict written by Haman

102. The city gate was the place of business
Mordecai learned of the decree

103. Mordecai learned of the decree

104. Mordecai left the gate
put on ashes and sackcloth
and wept loudly
publicly in the city

105. Esther hears of Mordecai looking
disheveled

106. Esther sends him a new wardrobe

107. Mordecai refuses

108. Esther and finds the Jews are in mourning over
the open letter

109. Every Jew in the world will die in 11 months
by a decree of the King

110. Esther
has problems
How can she help?

111. A LEGAL PROBLEM -
anyone coming into the
presence of the King dies
( unless he ‘extends his
scepter’)
Esther
has problems
The King has a strict by appointment only policy

112. A PERSONAL PROBLEM -
the King hasn't asked for
her for 30 days
( is he displeased with her? )
Esther
has problems
The King ignored her for the last 30 days

113. Ch 4
in a predicament
Esther
situation dire

114. Ch 4
agrees to help the Jews
Esther

115. Ch 4
agrees to help the Jews
Esther
and acts
‘for such a time as this’

116. For 3 days and 3 nights
she told her maids to fast and pray

117. and asked
Mordecai
the the Jews
to do the same
For 3 days and 3 nights
she told her maids to fast and pray

118. and on the 3rd day
she went into the king
For 3 days and 3 nights
she told her maids to fast and pray
and asked
Mordecai
the the Jews
to do the same

119. Ch 4
agrees to help the Jews
Esther
She goes into the king

120. Ch 4
agrees to help the Jews
Esther
Come to my party

121. Ch 4
agrees to help the Jews
Esther
He agrees

122. ‘A’ for agrees
c
x

123. ‘A’ for agrees
A A
There
is an A
c
x

124. Esther throws a banquet
First Banquet
Hey, hey!
VIP invite
To Haman and the King
you are invited

125. what
does
she want
Have some food

126. Have some wine

127. A toast

128. Come again tomorrow

129. ‘E’ for Esther ?
A A
c
x

130. A A
no E
‘E’ for Esther ?
c
x

131. After Esther’s lovely dinner, it was decided
Haman goes home

132. After Esther’s lovely dinner, it was decided
Haman will go into the King and ask
for permission to hang Mordecai the next day
Haman goes home

133. The King who can’t sleep
What did she want?
Why did she come?
???
what
does
she want

134. The ‘book of memorable deeds” read
to the king from the archives
what
does
she want

135. A man named Mordecai foiled a plot
against the King’s life
what
does
she want

136. ‘M’ for Mordecai ?
A A
c
x

137. A AM
‘M’ for Mordecai ?
c
x

138. was he
ever
rewarded?

139. He hears a noise
(and wonders who is at the threshold -
Has the guy
ever been
rewarded?
the King
asks
was he
ever
rewarded?

140. Just Haman

142. Here for a favor

143. Is there an S
for Sleepless Night
and Suspense?
A AM
c
x

144. A AM
no S
c
x

145. On the other hand
she got the king to grant her
Request
A AM
no R
c
x

146. Got someone
I want to
reward
any ideas?

147. Sure !!
(the reward
it’s for me me me
of course!!)
put your
crown
on his head

148. put your
robe
on him

149. lead him
through the
streets
on your horse

150. yell! This is
the way
i reward people
in front of him

151. Do it
for
Mordecai !!
Yes sir!

152. (gulps
quietly)
Leave
nothing out !!
Yes sir!

153. and so it was done

154. and so it was done

155. Haman leads Mordecai through town

156. while shouting praises about Mordecai

157. while shouting praises about Mordecai

158. Afterwards…. goes back to the gate to his day job

159. Haman humiliated and goes home

160. Haman humiliated and goes home

161. Haman humiliated and goes home

162. Haman humiliated and goes home

163. Haman humiliated and goes home

164. Haman expenses frustration over the king rewarding Mordecai

166. Haman expenses frustration over the king rewarding Mordecai
His wife spells it out to Haman

167. Haman expenses frustration over the king rewarding Mordecai
His wife spells it out to Haman
“You’re doomed!”

168. Haman expenses frustration over the king rewarding Mordecai
His wife spells it out to Haman

169. Haman expenses frustration over the king rewarding Mordecai
His wife spells it out to Haman
“You’re doomed!”

170. Haman expenses frustration over the king rewarding Mordecai
His wife spells it out to Haman

171. Haman expenses frustration over the king rewarding Mordecai
All his friends spell it out to Haman

172. Haman expenses frustration over the king rewarding Mordecai
All his friends spell it out to Haman
“You’re doomed!”

173. Haman expenses frustration over the king rewarding Mordecai
All his friends spell it out to Haman

174. Haman expenses frustration over the king rewarding Mordecai
All his friends spell it out to Haman
“You’re doomed!”

175. Talk interrupted….
Guards arrive to take
Haman to the party

176. Talk interrupted….
Guards arrive to take
Haman to the party

177. Talk interrupted….
Guards arrive to take
Haman to the party

178. Talk interrupted….
Guards arrive to take
Haman to the party

179. Second Banquet
To Haman and the King
you are invited
At least I got
a VIP invite

180. They eat
Please
tell me
Have some food

181. They drink
Please
tell me
Have some wine

182. A toast

183. The King has already lost a night of sleep
and is eager to know what Esther’s desire is
Please
tell me

184. The King has already lost a night of sleep
and is eager to know what Esther’s desire is
and she tells him

185. Spare my life!

186. And the life of my people!

187. Shocked! Someone
would dare harm the queen!
but clueless

188. Now with ‘no holds barred’
He asks,
“Who would
do such a thing?”

189. A wicked Haman!
Now with ‘no holds barred’

190. Haman pleads
with Esther
for mercy

191. Haman pleads
with Esther
for mercy

192. Haman pleads
with Esther
for mercy

193. Haman pleads
with Esther
for mercy

194. Haman pleads
with Esther
for mercy

195. The king leaves to go
to the Garden
to think
A AM
c
x

196. The king leaves to go
to the Garden
to think
A AM
c
x
show me
G

197. A AM
xx
o o
o
no G
c
x

198. the King comes back
and concludes Haman
is assaulting the queen
in her home!!!!
A AM
xx
o o
o
c
x

199. The guards tell the king
that Haman built a gallows
for Mordecai (who saved the King)
A AM
xx
o o
o
c
x

200. A AM
xx
o o
o
‘No way out’ ?
‘Heap of Trouble’ ?
c
x

201. A AM
xx
o o
o
‘Not being asked’
‘Heap of trouble’
NH
both
H and N
c
x

202. A AM
xx
o o
o
NH
n g
o
Game over!
c
x

203. A AM
xx
o o
o
NH
n g
o
c
x

204. A AM
xx
o o
o
NH
n g
o
Game over!
c
x

205. A AM
xx
o o
o
NH
n g
o
the guards inform the King
of Haman’s plans for Mordecai
c
x

206. A AM
xx
o o
o
NH
n g
o
Game over!
c
x

207. A AM
xx
o o
o
NH
n g
o
the guards inform the King
of Haman’s plans for Mordecai
c
x

208. the guards cover Haman’s head and take him away
without being asked

209. They made
him
disappear
the guards cover Haman’s head and take him away
without being asked

210. They made
him
disappear
the guards cover Haman’s head and take him away
without being asked

211. They made
him
disappear
the guards cover Haman’s head and take him away
without being asked

212. They made
him
disappear
the guards cover Haman’s head and take him away
without being asked
we got this one, King
but he set up dangerous
irrevocable laws

213. but he set up dangerous
irrevocable laws
the guards cover Haman’s head and take him away
without being asked

214. Some urgent damage control
Haman’s law still in effect

215. Some urgent damage control
She pleads and weeps before the King
still to save her people

216. Some urgent damage control
Still diplomatic
doesn’t mention the King’s role in the law

217. Some urgent damage control
allow
self
defense
Give a day for Jews to defend themselves
have the right to bear arms and assemble

218. one more
day
He who hesitates is lost
and another urgent request
Give another day for Jews to defend themselves
have right to bear arms and assemble

219. self defense and
right to bear arms
but no plundering
(Saul got in trouble for that… another story)

220. and Mordecai elevated and becomes
the new Vice President of Babylon

221. Esther given Haman’s Estate

222. letters sent out to the 127 provinces and languages
ONE MORE DAY!!!
By Order of the Queen!!
The feast of Purim - the Lot

223. letters sent out to the 127 provinces and languages
By Order of the Queen!!
Purim

224. sent out to the 127 provinces and languages
By Order of the Queen!!
Purim

225. sent out to the 127 provinces and languages
By Order of the Queen!!
a new holiday

226. A toast

227. Reversals
of fortune
A queen who would not go to the king’s party
A man who wanted people to fall before him
A day of sadness and destruction

228. and in conclusion
Who was the hero of the story?
Esther or Mordecai?

229. and in conclusion
Who was the hero of the story?
The unseen hand of providence?

230. A confluence of both?

231. Esther fin’