This post is Day 15 in a series of studies about “Esther”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Esther – Day 15

Five times we read of Haman the Agagite. The author wants us to know that Haman descended from king Agag of the Amalekites; an enemy of the Jewish people. In Samuel we read of King Saul being told to kill all the Amalekites, which he did, all except king Agag!

Esther 3:10 & 15

So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. The couriers went out, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was bewildered.

The Thought

What an interesting word that last word “bewildered” is there. Other translations use “perplexed, in confusion, reeling, in uproar”. We can imagine the town’s Jewish community reading the royal decrees and wondering why? WHY??

And many non-Jews would feel the same. Why, in this peace loving city with a relatively peace keeping king should half the community suddenly be facing death?

But events in the royal palace continued as normal!

There is much in this short book to suggest that the king drank a little too much wine, and he had a drinking partner in Haman.

Five times we read of Haman the Agagite. The author wants us to know that Haman descended from king Agag who was king of the Amalekites; an enemy of the Jewish people. In 1 Samuel 15 we read of King Saul being told to kill all the Amalekites, which he did, all except king Agag! Generations later the nation of Israel regretted Saul’s decision! An Amalekite and descendant of this heathen king Agag became their enemy.

Action

Read 1 Samuel 15 and take note of the importance of following God’s orders to the letter.

How do you rate in obedience to God’s commands?

What about just the 2 commandments that Jesus gave in answer to a question someone asked Him (Matthew 22:37-39)? Ask yourself if you love the Lord and others as much as you love yourself.

Pray for help to be obedient to God’s commandments.