History · Chapter 4 of 10

Esther 4

Learning of the decree, Mordecai mourns in sackcloth at the king's gate, and Jews across the empire fast and weep. Esther, alarmed, sends to learn the cause. Mordecai charges her to plead with the king for her people. She fears the law of death for approaching uncalled, but Mordecai warns she may have come to royalty for this very hour. Esther calls a three-day fast and resolves to go, saying, if I perish, I perish.

What happens in Esther 4

When Mordecai learns of the decree, he tears his clothes, puts on sackcloth and ashes, and cries bitterly before the king's gate; across the provinces the Jews fast, weep, and mourn. Esther, distressed by news of his mourning, sends clothing, which he refuses, then sends Hatach to learn the cause. Mordecai relays the whole matter, gives a copy of the decree, and charges Esther to plead with the king for her people. Esther replies that anyone approaching the king uncalled faces death unless he extends the golden scepter, and she has not been summoned in thirty days.

Mordecai answers that silence will not save her, that deliverance will arise from another place if she fails, and that perhaps she came to the kingdom for such a time as this. Esther calls the Jews of Shushan to fast three days with her, resolves to go, and says if she perishes, she perishes.

Esther 4 in context

This chapter turns on the Persian law that forbade even the queen from approaching the king unbidden, on pain of death. Esther has apparently fallen from the king's constant favor, unsummoned for a month.

God is still unnamed, yet the corporate fasting assumes prayer and dependence on Him. Mordecai's famous words frame the book's central question of providence and human responsibility working together.

Main themes of Esther 4

Esther 4 (KJV)

1When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; 2And came even before the king’s gate: for none might enter into the king’s gate clothed with sackcloth. 3And in every province, whithersoever the king’s commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. 5Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. 6So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the king’s gate. 7And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. 8Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. 9And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. 10Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; 11All the king’s servants, and the people of the king’s provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days. 12And they told to Mordecai Esther’s words. 13Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. 14For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? 15Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, 16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. 17So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.

Verses to carry from Esther 4

“When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry;”Esther 4:1

“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”Esther 4:14

“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”Esther 4:16

Reflection

What if my position, my season, my very circumstances were arranged for a moment of courage on behalf of others? Esther teaches me not to hide when I could help. God may have placed me here for such a time as this, and He gives grace to step forward even when it costs me.

A prayer from Esther 4