1 On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her.
2 And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.
4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,
5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces:
6 For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?
7 Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.
8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.
9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language.
10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries:
11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,
12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.
13 The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies.
14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.
15 And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad.
16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.
The eighth chapter of the Book of Esther in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible continues the story of Esther, a Jewish woman who becomes queen of Persia and uses her position to save her people from destruction. This chapter is a pivotal point in the narrative, as it reveals the true intentions of the villain, Haman, and sets the stage for the climax of the story. It also highlights the themes of courage, faith, and divine providence, and serves as a reminder of the power of standing up for what is right.
The chapter begins with King Ahasuerus giving Queen Esther the property of Haman, who had been executed for his plot to destroy the Jews. Esther then reveals to the king that she is Jewish and that Haman's plan was to annihilate her people. The king is outraged and asks Esther what she wants him to do about it. Esther responds by asking the king to issue a decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their enemies on the appointed day of the attack.
The king grants Esther's request and issues a new decree, giving the Jews the right to defend themselves and allowing them to gather and protect their lives, property, and families. This decree is sent throughout the kingdom and causes great joy among the Jews, who had been living in fear of their impending doom.
One of the main themes of this chapter is the power of courage and faith. Esther, a young Jewish woman, risks her life by revealing her identity to the king and asking for his help in saving her people. She shows great courage in standing up for what is right, even though it could have resulted in her own death. Her faith in God and her trust in His plan for her people give her the strength to take this bold action.
Similarly, the Jews in the kingdom show great courage in the face of their enemies. They had been living in fear and uncertainty, but with the new decree, they are given the opportunity to defend themselves and fight for their survival. This requires great courage and faith in God's protection, as they were greatly outnumbered by their enemies.
Another important theme in this chapter is divine providence. Throughout the story of Esther, we see how God works behind the scenes to protect and guide His people. In this chapter, we see how Esther's position as queen and her relationship with the king are used by God to save the Jews from destruction. The timing of events, such as Haman's plot being exposed and the king's decree being issued, all point to God's hand at work in the lives of His people.
This theme serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, God is always in control and has a plan for His people. It also highlights the importance of trusting in God's providence and having faith that He will guide us through difficult situations.
Chapter 8 of the Book of Esther holds great significance in the overall narrative of the story. It marks a turning point in the plot, as the true intentions of the villain, Haman, are revealed and the fate of the Jews is determined. It also serves as a reminder of the power of courage, faith, and divine providence in the face of adversity.
Furthermore, this chapter teaches us the importance of standing up for what is right, even when it may be difficult or dangerous. Esther's bravery and willingness to risk her life for her people serve as an example for us to follow in our own lives. It also reminds us of the power of prayer and trusting in God's plan for our lives.
Overall, Chapter 8 of the Book of Esther is a powerful and inspiring chapter that showcases the strength and resilience of God's people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, trusting in God's providence, and having faith in His plan for our lives.
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