Esther 1
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. Far away, long ago, there was a king. His name was Ahasuerus. He was a great king. He had a big, big palace.
The king wanted a party. A very long party. It lasted many days. All his friends came. The people ate and drank. They laughed. There were beautiful curtains. White and blue and purple. There were golden cups. Everything sparkled.
The queen was there too. Her name was Vashti. She was very beautiful. She had her own party, for the women.
On the last day the king was happy. Maybe a bit too happy. He said, "I want everyone to see the queen. She is so beautiful. Bring her here!"
Seven men walked to Queen Vashti. "The king is calling you," they said.
But Vashti said, "No. I do not want to come."
Oh dear. The king heard it. And the king became angry. Very, very angry. His face turned red.
"What do we do now?" said the king to his wise men.
The wise men thought for a long time. Then they said, "Vashti may not be queen anymore, king. Someone else must come."
And so it happened. Vashti was no longer queen. The king sat on his throne. And the throne next to him was empty.
What Does This Mean?
The king had everything. Gold and cups and curtains and food. But he was not happy. He became angry. His heart was not quiet.
And now the throne next to him is empty. Who will come and sit there? Nobody knows yet. But God knows. God is already busy. Very quietly. You cannot see Him yet in this story. But He is there.
The Common Thread
Sometimes it looks like God is not there. In this story you do not hear His name at all. Not one time.
But God is like Someone in the next room. You cannot see Him. Still, He is close. He is making everything ready. Later, a girl comes. Her name is Esther. And through her, God will help His people.
God is always busy. Even when you do not see it.
For You
Do you know what is nice? Sometimes Mama or Daddy is doing something for you, and you do not know it yet. Maybe baking a cake. Maybe wrapping a present.
God does that too. He is doing good things, even when you cannot see them. You may trust Him. Also when the story looks a little sad.
Talk About It
Was the king happy with all his gold and beautiful things? Why not?
God was not named in the story. But was He there? Where do you think He was?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You are always there. Also when I cannot see You. You are close. Like a warm blanket. Please help me trust You.
Amen.
Questions about Esther 1
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Esther 1 about?
What does Esther 1 say?
What does Esther 1 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Esther 1?
Why is Esther 1 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
A decision made at the end of a seven day drinking party becomes a law that "cannot be altered." Men who could not govern their own tempers bound an empire forever. Yet watch what God does with it. The empty throne made by wounded pride is the very seat Esther will fill. What you cannot take back, He can still weave into rescue.
Memucan tells the king, "Vashti the queen has not done wrong to just the king, but also to all the princes, and to all the people who are in all the provinces." One woman's refusal at one banquet, suddenly an empire-wide crisis. That is what wounded pride does. It recruits witnesses. Watch how quickly you enlarge a small slight into a case, and ask who taught you to keep score that way.
When the King Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace." The book opens with a throne, a fortress, a man who looks unshakable. God is never named in Esther. Yet by the end, it is not the throne that decides the story. Where in your life does the visible power look final? Watch longer.
They gave them drinks in golden vessels of various kinds, including royal wine in abundance, according to the bounty of the king." No two cups alike. Endless wine. And a few verses later that same generous king, heart merry with wine, ruins a woman's life with a word he can't take back. Abundance is not the same as goodness. What are you calling blessing that's quietly costing someone else?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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