3. Esther banquets Haman and the King, Ch. 5.

4. Mordecai highly honored for former service. Ch. 6.

5. Esther's plea granted and Haman hanged, Ch. 7,

6. The Jews allowed defense and Mordecai advanced, Ch. 8.

III. The Jews' Deliverance, Chs. 9-10.

1. Their enemies slain, 9:1-16.

2. A memorial feast is established. 9:17-32 end.

3. Mordecai made great, Ch. 10.

For Study and Discussion. (1) The character of the king, Vashti,
Mordecai, Esther and Haman. (2) Mordecai's plea to Esther. (3) The
honor of Mordecai and humiliation of Haman, Ch. 6. (4) The destruction
of their enemies. (5) The feast of Purim, 9:17-32. (6) Truth about God
seen in this book. (7) Why not name the book Mordecai or Vashti-are
they not as heroic as Esther? (8) The race devotion of the Jews, then
and now. (9) Persian life as seen in the book.

* * * * *

Chapter XII.

Job.