Joe: Alright, so we're gonna talk about Esther 4. What's happening in this chapter?

Bible Expert: Well, Esther 4 is when Esther finally decides to approach King Xerxes and intercede for her people, the Jews. She makes a special request of the king, asking him to spare the Jews from the plans of Haman, the king's advisor, who had planned to kill all the Jews in the kingdom.

Joe: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up. So this King Xerxes had an advisor who wanted to kill all the Jews? That sounds like a pretty big deal.

Bible Expert: Yes, it was. Haman was a powerful advisor to the king and had convinced him to sign an edict that would have killed all the Jews in the kingdom.

Joe: I mean, that's insane. What did Esther do?

Bible Expert: Well, Esther knew she had to intervene in order to save her people. So she devised a plan to approach the king and plead her case. She asked her people to fast and pray for three days, and then she presented herself to the king without being summoned.

Joe: Without being summoned? That's pretty bold!

Bible Expert: It was a very risky move, but she knew it was the only way to save her people. When she appeared before the king, he was pleased to see her and extended to her the golden scepter, a sign of his favor. Esther asked the king to spare the Jews and offered to provide evidence of Haman's plot against her people.

Joe: So did the king spare the Jews?

Bible Expert: Yes, the king was moved by Esther's plea and agreed to spare the Jews. He also issued a new edict that allowed the Jews to defend themselves against anyone who sought to harm them.