Outline of the Book of Esther

I. CONTENTION IN THE KINGDOM (1:1–22)

1. Regalia of King Ahasuerus (vv. 1–9)
2. Requirement of King Ahasuerus (vv. 10–11)
3. Refusal of Queen Vashti (v. 12)
4. Removal of Queen Vashti (vv. 13–22)

II. CORONATION OF ESTHER (2:1–23)

1. Search for a queen (vv. 1–4)
2. Steps to acquire a queen (vv. 5–14)
3. Selection of Esther to be queen (vv. 15–18)
4. Scheme to kill Ahasuerus foiled by Esther (vv. 19–23)

III. CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE JEWS (3:1—5:14)

1. Promotion of Haman (3:1–4)
2. Plan of Haman against the Jews (vv. 5–12)
3. Proclamation of the king’s decree (vv. 13–15)
4. Peril of Esther (4:1–17)
5. Petition of Esther (5:1–8)
6. Plot of Haman (vv. 9–14)

IV. CONDEMNATION OF HAMAN (6:1—7:10)

1. Rewarding Mordecai (6:1–11)
2. Regret of Haman (vv. 12–14)
3. Request from Esther (7:1–6)
4. Retribution on Haman (vv. 7–10)

V. COUNTER-EDICT OF AHASUERUS (8:1—9:16)

1. Discloser of Jewish persecution (8:1–6)
2. Decree of Ahasuerus (vv. 7–14)
3. Delight of the Jews (vv. 15–17)
4. Defeat of the enemy (9:1–11)
5. Death for Haman’s sons (vv. 12–14)
6. Demise of Jewish enemies (vv. 15–16)

 VI. CELEBRATION OF PURIM (9:17–32)

1. Purim established by Mordecai (vv. 17–21)
2. Purpose of Purim (vv. 22–32)

VII. COMMENDING MORDECAI (10:1–3)

1. Mordecai promoted (vv. 1–3)
2. Mordecai’s popularity (v. 3)
3. Mordecai speaks peace (v. 3)