King Ahasuerus (also known as King Xerxes) was the king of Babylonian Empire which ruled over many lands, including the Hebrew people.  The King was looking for a wife and he fell in love with Esther, a beautiful young Hebrew girl.

The king did not know Esther was Hebrew.  Many people in the lands did not like the Hebrew people.  Mordecai, who was Esther's cousin, was raising her because she had no parents.  He told Esther not to tell anyone she was Hebrew.

King Ahasuerus and Esther were very happy together.  But one day Haman, the king's assistant, made an evil plan to kill all the Hebrew in Babylonia.

Mordecai learned of the plan and knew that only Esther could save them.  He sent word to her that she must go tot he king and tell him of the plan.  She must reveal that she was Hebrew.  "Who knows," said Mordecai, "perhaps you became queen for such a time as this."

Queen Esther knew she was risking her life.  She knew the king might have her killed for not telling him she was Hebrew.  He could even have her killed for entering the inner court without him calling for her.

Queen Esther went to the king anyway, but she did not make her request for her people's safety yet. First she offered to provide two great feasts for the King and for Haman. The king was greatly pleased with Queen Esther.

That night, the king could not sleep and so he read books on the history of his kingdom. In one of the books he learned how Mordecai had saved King Xerxes from assassins but had never been honored for this. The next day the King sent word that Mordecai be rewarded.

At the last feast, Queen Esther humbly asked the King to save her people. When the King realized Haman had plotted to have Hebrews, like Queen Esther and Mordecai killed, the king had Haman killed instead.

King Xerxes was greatly pleased with his wife, the brave Queen Esther.

Adapted from The Book of Esther