The day of Haman's death, Esther was given his estate. She had come clean about her relation to Mordecai and he was brought before the Xerxes. The king gave him his signet ring and he was also given Haman's estate. Esther, still humble before the king, begged that her people's lives be spared. Xerxes had Esther and Mordecai write an irrevocable written order on the Jews behalf. This order allowed all the Jews in all 127 provinces to defend themselves, having the killing right for anyone who threatened them or their women and children. They could also take what they wanted from their enemies. Mordecai walked out of Xerxes' palace wearing a violet and white royal robe, including a purple cape and wore a gold crown on his head. All the Jews celebrated their newly found freedom. It was dangerous to not be a Jews so many non Jews became Jews.
All the satraps (a governor of a province in ancient Persia), officials, and everyone else who worked for the king were afraid of Mordecai and helped the Jews out. The Jews slaughtered their enemies! In Susa alone, 500 men were killed. All of Haman's 10 sons were taken out as well. Even though the kings order said they could take from their enemies, the Jews refrained.
King Xerxes received this information and asked Esther what else she desired. She asked that the Jews living in Susa have another day to kill of their enemies and Haman's sons be hanged in public. Xerxes granted her wish. Another 300 men were killed and in the other provinces a whopping total of 75,000 enemies were killed by the Jews.
Mordecai kept a record of the current events and sent info around the provinces. It became a tradition that on the 14th and 15th days of Adar, the Jews would celebrate overcoming their enemies. They exchanged gifts and gave to the poor.
This marks the end of Esther.
Did you know that the wisdom books of the bible include Job, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Songs?
"Wisdom is the common designation given to this aspect of biblical witness and writing. The word in this context refers more to a kind of attitude, a distinctive stance, than to any particular ideas or doctrines or counsel." -Eugene Peterson
"There are no spectator seats provided for the drama of salvation. There is no "bench" for incompetent players." -Eugene Peterson
