Esther 5
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
It was morning in the big palace.
Esther stood still by the door. She was the queen. Her dress was beautiful, soft and shiny. But Esther's hands were cold. Her heart went bump, bump, bump.
Because behind that door sat the king. And nobody was allowed to walk in to the king. Nobody. Not even the queen.
Esther took a deep breath. And she walked in.
The king sat on his big golden chair. He looked up. He saw Esther standing there.
And then the king smiled.
He held out his golden stick to her. That meant: come, Esther. Come closer. You may.
Esther came closer. She touched the top of the golden stick. And the king said, "What would you like, queen Esther? Just ask. I will give it to you."
What Does This Mean?
Esther was so scared. And she still went. She still walked through that door.
Do you know what she asked? Nothing big. Nothing shiny.
She said, "Please come and eat with me. Come to my dinner. And bring Haman too."
Haman was a man with beautiful clothes and a proud face. Haman thought he was very, very important.
So they ate together. There was good food on the table. It smelled warm and sweet.
And again the king asked, "Esther, what do you want? Just ask."
But Esther waited. She said, "Come again tomorrow. Then I will tell you."
Esther was brave. And she was patient too.
The Common Thread
Haman walked home. He was so happy. Only he got to eat with the king and the queen! Only him!
But at the gate sat a man. His name was Mordecai. Mordecai did not stand up for Haman. Mordecai did not bow.
And Haman got angry. Very angry. His face went hot and red.
At home he said, "Look at all my beautiful things! Look how important I am!" But he was still angry. "That Mordecai," he said. "I do not want him anymore."
And Haman had a high wooden pole made. He wanted to hurt Mordecai on it.
Poor Mordecai. He did not even know.
But God knew. God saw Mordecai at the gate. God saw Esther in her shiny dress. God saw the angry man with his pole.
And God was already busy helping. Even though nobody could see it yet.
For You
Sometimes you have to do something scary. Say sorry. Sleep in the dark. Walk into a room full of people.
Then your heart goes bump, bump, bump, just like Esther's.
You may whisper to God first. Say, "God, I am scared. Will You help me?"
God hears that. And then you may take a deep breath. And go.
Because God goes with you. Right through the door.
Talk About It
What do you think Esther felt when the king smiled at her?
What is something you find scary? Shall we tell God about it?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank you for Esther. She was scared, and she went anyway.
I am sometimes scared too.
Will You hold my hand?
Thank you that You see me.
Amen.
Questions about Esther 5
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Esther 5 about?
What does Esther 5 say?
What does Esther 5 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Esther 5?
Why is Esther 5 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
She had the king's ear and his open offer of half a kingdom, and still she said, "I will do tomorrow as the king has said." One more night. It looks like nerves, maybe even a wasted chance. But that night the king couldn't sleep, the records were read, and everything turned. Your waiting may not be weakness. God may be working the night shift.
Haman went home raging, and his wife and friends handed him a plan: "Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high." Seventy five feet, so the whole city would see. And it pleased him. Notice who gave the advice. People who loved him, telling him what his anger wanted to hear. He built it himself, and later died on it. Who do you go to when you are furious?
Esther had risked her life to enter the king's presence uninvited. Now, with everything on the line, she says, "If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him."
No accusation. No plea. Just an invitation to a meal.
Sometimes the boldest faith moves slowly. Esther waits, prepares a table, and trusts God with the timing. When your heart is heavy with something urgent, remember: quiet patience can be its own kind of courage.
Esther had fasted three days. She knew the law: anyone approaching the king unbidden could die. Yet when she stepped into that inner court, "she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter."
Notice the trembling comes before the welcome. She did not feel brave first, then act. She walked in afraid, and grace met her at the threshold. Whatever you are dreading to bring before your King today, He is not waiting to punish your approach. His scepter is already extended.
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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