Although God's name is not mentioned in this book, His work in Esther's life is very apparent. She asked her people, the Jewish people, to fast and pray to make it possible for her to undertake a dangerous mission that risked her life.

The lesson: to trust in God completely, will always bring great rewards.

Chapter 1 The king was offended when his wife Queen Vashti refused to appear before him when he ordered her to do so. Therefore, she was removed as queen and he set out to search for the most beautiful virgins in the land from whome he would select one to become his new queen.

Chapter 2 A beautiful Jewish girl named Hadassah was chosen and her name was changed to Esther. Her cousin Mordecai advised her to not reveal that she was a Jew because Jews were held suspicion in the Persian Empire.

After she became queen, two men plotted to kill the king, but Mordecai learned about the plot and told Esther to reveal this to the king.

Chapter 3 One of the kings advisors named Haman had become second in command in the empire. He demanded that everyone bow down to him and everyone did except Mordecai. Therefore, Haman urged the king to issue an edict that all the Jews in the land should be killed.

Chapter 4 Mordecai asked Esther to intervene with the king or they would all be killed. This was not permitted, but Mordecai insisted, saying, If you remain silent, deliverance will come from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. Who knows whether you have come to this kingdom for such a time as this.

Esther then agreed to risk her life for her people and she asked Mordecai to have her people fast for her success.

Chapter 5 The king held out his golden scepter and offered to grant Esther anything that she asked of him, even to half the kingdom. She then invited the king and Haman to a banquet and told him that she would tell him what she desired at a later time.

Chapter 6 Later, when the king was unable to sleep that night and asked for his history to be read to him, he was reminded about the plot to kill him and how Mordecai had saved his life and he decided to do something to reward Mordecai.

The king called Haman and asked him what should be done for someone the king wanted to honor. Haman thought the king was talking about him, so he said that such a person should be treated like royalty. The king then shocked Haman by assigning to him the task of honoring Mordecai.

Chapter 7 describes the second banquet at which Esther revealed Haman's plot to destroy her and her people. The king went into such a rage that he had to leave the room to calm down. When he returned, he saw Haman had fallen across the couch where Esther was, pleading with her to spare his life. The king accused Haman of trying to assault his wife, the queen, and he ordered Haman to be hanged on the very gallows that Haman had built to kill Mordecai.

Chapters 8-10 describe the rejoicing of the Jews for their deliverance and a celebration was set to commemorate this and it has been celebrated by Jews ever since as the Feast of Purim.