1. Esther 1-3 “The Needs of the Congo Mission” “The need is great here. We have no one to work in the northern province of Gabon in the central Congo. And it is my prayer as I write this article that God will lay His hand on one-- one on whom, already, the Master's eyes have been cast—that he or she shall be called to this place to help us.” “My search is over” – Albert Schweitzer

2. Esther 1-3 Providence: Joseph Jochebed Rahab Ruth

3. Esther 1-3 Xerxes I (485-464 BC

4. Esther 1-3 Persian Empire Shushan

5. Esther 1-3 NIV ~ By the king's command each guest was allowed to drink in his own way, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished. NLT ~ The only restriction on the drinking was that no one should be compelled to take more than he wanted. But those who wished could have as much as they pleased, for the king had instructed his staff to let everyone decide this matter for himself.

6. Esther 1-3 All wives will honor ~ first letters form acrostic in Hebrew – YHWH

7. Esther 1-3 Persian Empire Thermopylae Shushan Salamis

8. Esther 1-3 480 482484472474478476 486 Xerxes crowned king (486 BC) Greeks defeat Xerxes at Salamis (480 BC) Greeks defeat Xerxes at Thermopylae (479 BC) Esther becomes queen (478 BC) Esther saves Jews from destruction (474 BC) Feast of Purim instituted (473 BC) Vashti deposed as queen (478 BC)

9. Esther 1-3 Shimei…Kish ~ possibly King Saul's descendant The name Kish is in italics KJV, NIV, NASB ~ Who NLT ~ His family

10. Esther 1-3 Hadassah ~ Myrtle Esther ~ Star Ashtaroth ~ Canaanites Ashtoreth ~ Phoenicians Astarte ~ Greeks and Romans Ishtar ~ Babylonians

11. Esther 1-3 Lovely and beautiful ~ from four different Hebrew words: fair, form, good and appearance

12. Esther 1-3 Favor ~ checed – usually found in reference to God’s mercy and lovingkindness

13. Esther 1-3 Agagite ~ possibly a descendant of Agag, the Amalekite king Saul was told to slay (1 Sam. 15)

14. Esther 1-3 1st month, Nisan ~ March-April 12th month, Adar ~ February-March

15. Esther 1-3 Prov. 6 ~ 16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.