Esther's Brave Revelation

Haman was proud and cruel; because Mordecai would not bow down to him, he plotted to destroy every Jew in Persia. Mordecai told Queen Esther of the plot and asked her to risk her life to plead for her people. Esther sent word for the Jews to fast and pray for three days and nights, and she fasted with her maids, saying, "If I perish, I perish." In her royal robes Esther bravely entered the inner court, and the king held out the golden scepter, welcoming her in. Esther arranged two banquets for the king and Haman. At the second banquet she finally spoke the truth: "There is a wicked man who would destroy me and my people." The king demanded angrily, "Who is he?" Esther pointed at Haman and said, "This wicked Haman!" The king ordered that Haman be hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Through Esther's courage, God turned a hopeless hour around, justice was upheld, and her people were saved.