Esther (formerly Hadassah), the new queen - but secretly a Jew
Mordecai, palace official, and cousin (some translations say uncle) of Esther
Hegai, a eunich in charge of the harem
Bigthana and Teresh, two eunichs who plot to kill the king
Synopsis
(2: 12-18) Esther is prepared for her night with the king. Esther goes to the king, wearing only what is advised by Hegai. She finds favor with the king. He appoints her queen, and holds a banquet in her honor.
(2: 19-20) Esther continues to keep the secret that she is a Jew.
(2: 21-23) Mordecai overhears a plot to kill the king. He tells Esther, who passes it to the king. Bigthana and Teresh and caught and executed. This places the king in Mordecai's debt, which will become a vital turning point in events to come.
Introduction (15 min)
Opening prayer
Read Esther 2: 12-23
(There are no additional passages in the Catholic bible for these events).
Outcue: "Mordecai: Have you any idea for whom it may be intended?"
Discussion questions (15 min)
Esther becomes queen with some insider help from Hegai. Are there similarities between Hegai's intercession, and Jesus' intercession for us with God?
Mordecai gains some dangerous knowledge about a plot. He chooses to reveal the plot through Esther, instead of going directly to the king. What could have been his motivation for this? Are there times that inside channels are appropriate?
Note the last verse of chapter 2. How will documenting the circumstances of the plot affect things in the future?
Is being in someone's debt, such as the king finding himself in Modecai's debt, a good place - or a bad place - to be?
