Esther, Job and Gideon: Three Bible Stories for Young Adults

By James Shott

This book contains three Bible stories written for young readers.
ESTHER
When a timid, sensitive foreign girl suddenly becomes the queen of the most powerful king in the world, how would she feel?
This is the story of Esther, a Jewish exile in the Kingdom of Persia in the Sixth Century B.C. The story has captured the imagination of readers who are attracted to this pretty but humble girl who lived twenty-five centuries ago.
The story begins when King Xerxes, ruler of the vast Persian Empire, boasts that his wife, Queen Vashti, is the most beautiful woman in the world. He is taunted to prove it by making her dance nude at one of his drunken parties. She refuses, and he exiles her. Now he must find a new queen.
The most important qualification for his new queen is beauty. To find her, he decrees a beauty contest, and all the young girls in the kingdom are forced to enter.
The winner is a shy, reluctant foreigner named Esther. She knows what happened to her predecessor, and she is afraid it might happen to her. But Uncle Mordecai, her guardian, insists she obey the decree, because, as he says, Who knows? Maybe you have come to the kingdom for just such a time as this!
She wins the beauty contest and becomes queen of Persia. There must be some hidden secret to her beauty that is not disclosed in the Bible or Apocryphal stories. She obviously has some hidden beauty, some vivid enchantment, a vivacious personality, which is far more than mere physical attractiveness.
She is evidently a clever girl, because she both pleases her husband and retains her honor. She is constantly surprised at the power of her position, but she does not abuse it, remaining in the background quietly. Then the time comes when Uncle Mordecais words come true, and she is called on to save her people. How she does that has become one of the best-loved stories in history.
In the Bible and the Apocrypha, this story is simply told, and doesnt capture the drama and excitement of what that simple shy girl must have experienced. And yet she has become one of the most popular heroines in history. Every year the Jewish people celebrate her life and tell her story during their holiday known as the Feast of Purim. This is her story.
JOB
The story of Job has been universally recognized as one of the greatest pieces of writing in world literature. It has been included in the Harvard Classics.
For centuries, theologians and philosophers have struggled with the questions raised by this book. Questions such as: Why do the righteous suffer? What is the origin of evil? Can mortal man understand the ways of God? Can a man remain true to God, even if he is not rewarded? And others.
Is it possible that a story this profound, this complicated in its theology, which has puzzled the philosophers throughout the history of mankind, can be presented to young readers in a way they can understand?
Yes!
This novel attempts to do just that. Children and young adults do struggle with these questions. This book, while not giving all the answers, does clarify the questions for young readers.
In the story of Job, the Biblical author (or authors) uses a fascinating literary device. He presents the problem in a dialogue between God and Satan, and then in this rather bizarre setting, proceeds to discuss and interpret the philosophic aspects of the story.
In this youth-oriented novel, a similar device is used, for much the same purpose. Two children, Dottie and Jimmy, have just learned about the story of Job in Sunday School. Their teacher, Mr. Henderson, presented the story in a clear and memorable way.
Dottie and Jimmy, while playing in the snow in Dotties back yard, discusses Jobs dilemma. Dottie, the viewpoint character, struggles to understand the great themes of the book, while Jimmy plays the Devils Advocate. For the significance of the childrens names, see the footnote at

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 29, 2002
• ISBN: 9781462831500

James Shott

James R. Shott is a Presbyterian minister who took early retirement in 1980 to become a writer. Sixteen of his novels have been published, translated into other languages, won awards, and published in large print. Other publications: short stories, magazine articles, poems, and newspaper columns. Most people call him “Jim.” Three women call him “Dad.” Seven young adults call him “Granddad.” One two-year-old calls him “Great-granddad.” His wife, to whom he has been married for well over a century, calls him—well, never mind.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

What’s your name, child? asked the queen.

E-E-Esther, she replied. Her head was bowed and she focused her eyes on the floor.

Well, E-E-Esther, said the queen, and there was a titter of laughter from the ladies in the room, Stand up and look at me.

Slowly Esther obeyed. She looked up at Vashti, wife of the great Persian King Xerxes.

Seated on her high throne, Queen Vashti looked down on everyone. She wore a long silk robe, dyed purple. Esther had never seen purple before, but she had heard the Sea Peoples made it from little creatures they found in the ocean. It was very expensive, and worn mostly by rich people.

Esther’s eyes were drawn to the queen’s face, under the tall golden headdress. She was beautiful, even more so than the legends about her. Smooth and pure white, the face was enhanced by the layers of makeup that reminded Esther of fresh snow. The high forehead rose above painted brows. The lips were ruby red. An artist had painted that face. The most beautiful woman in the world, some said, although Esther wondered if she would be just as pretty without all that makeup.

She had a proud tilt to her chin. Esther had heard that this queen was haughty, and the people who attended her had a hard time loving her because she was so …so… imperious. She acted too much like a queen.

The queen continued in that imperious voice.

How old are you, child?

Esther didn’t like to be called a child. After all, she was a full-grown woman. She held her head high and replied in a smooth cold voice, I’m fourteen, your majesty.

And who is your father?

My father and mother are dead, your majesty. My guardian is Mordecai, one of the registrars at the city gate. He checks the names of everyone who comes to the palace.

I see. Evidently the queen had lost interest in Esther the moment she mentioned her guardian, who was just a minor palace employee and not well known. His position was high enough, however, for Esther to receive an invitation to this party.

With her imperious voice, the queen said, Welcome to the party, Esther.

The words were formal, and Esther knew that her interview with the queen was over. She bowed and backed away, as the queen turned her attention to one of the other guests in the crowded room.

It was a large party. People of all nationalities had come at the request of the king. While King Xerxes entertained the men in the King’s Chambers; here, in the Queen’s Quarters, Vashti entertained the women. This was the first time Esther had set foot inside the palace, although Uncle Mordecai came here just about every day to work.

Esther found her friend Regoitha, whom she knew because they were both Jews.

Rego, she whispered. That was scary.

Rego giggled. I hear she’s always like that. Why not? Both her father and grandfather were kings of Babylon. But she is still the most beautiful woman in the world!

Rego would hear all the palace gossip. She held a job as maidservant in the palace. The party continued. Other women were presented to the queen, and Esther was interested to note that many different nationalities were represented. The Jews weren’t the only ones who had been conquered by the Babylonians and brought into exile here in the country now ruled by the Persians. The custom had long ago been established that all these conquered people now living in Persia could be just as much a part of the citizenship as the native Persians. That was why Uncle Mordecai, a Jew, had been given such a responsible position in the government.

Even the food at the party showed they respected each of the nationalities represented. The banquet tables overflowed with all kinds of food, and everyone could find something familiar from her own country. Esther and Rego ate only from the simple dishes: meat, vegetables and fruit from their ancient homeland of Judah, rather than the sweet and spicy treats and rich wines from other countries.

Suddenly a trumpet sounded, and all the guests turned to one of the large doors opening into the Women’s Quarters. Some special visitors! A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd.

The loud voice of the woman guarding the door announced newcomers: Your majesty, I have the honor to present the chamberlains of the king!

She then gave their names as they marched proudly into the room.

Men! Even if they were eunuchs. No men but eunuchs were allowed in the Women’s Quarters, other than the king himself. Eunuchs were special trusted servants, however, and they had been granted that privilege.

As Esther listened to the impressive Persian names called out by the doorkeeper, she wondered—as did all the women there—what the king’s chamberlains were doing here. Something important, no doubt.

The seven eunuchs paraded up to the platform where the queen sat on her throne. They bowed low, and then one of them spoke.

"O queen, live forever! The king wishes your presence in the

King’s Chambers. You are to come alone, that all may behold your beauty!"

Again the murmur of excitement swept the crowd. What an honor! The king was entertaining the highest-ranking nobles in the kingdom. Esther had heard, however, that the party next door in the King’s Chamber was a drunken brawl. Uncle Mordecai had been there yesterday and had walked out in disgust. He had described it to Esther. They had argued drunkenly about beautiful women, as everyone had placed bets on who was the best looking woman in the world. King Xerxes had made his boasts about his queen. Now they wanted him to prove it.

The queen on her elevated throne looked down on the seven men from the king. She spoke just one word.

Why?

There was a pause before the head chamberlain answered. He seemed uneasy.

Your majesty, he wants you to do the Turban Dance, but with your royal crown rather than the turban.

Suddenly the room exploded with gasps and cries of amazement. Esther didn’t understand. She had never heard of the Turban Dance. She turned to Rego for an explanation.

It’s when a woman dances naked, she said, her voice hushed in awe.

Esther gasped. What an insult! To come into a drunken men’s party and … . She turned her mind away from the thought of what that meant. She, like everyone else, looked up at the queen to see what her answer would be.

The queen stood to give her reply. She was magnificent on her feet: tall, statuesque, slim and regal. Her voice when she spoke was controlled. and imperious!

"Go, say to your foolish master, ‘I am Vashti, the queen, the daughter of Evil-Merodach and granddaughter of Nebuchadnezzar, kings of Babylon from of old. My father and grandfather drank wine at parties, yet wine never enticed them to speak such senseless words as you have just spoken. I will not go!"’

The seven chamberlains marched out, leaving behind a stunned gathering of women. Queen Vashti turned and strode proudly out of the room to her own chambers. Esther wondered if she wanted to be alone to cry or scream or curse her husband.

Everyone talked—babbled—about what had happened. This was unheard of! No one had ever defied the king before—and lived to tell about it. Not even a queen!

Rego’s voice was harsh and angry. The Turban Dance! I heard they do that all the time at those drunken parties the men have. But to ask the queen! That’s amazing! It’s so. degrading!

But she refused! said Esther. Do you think she will get away with it?

Rego shook her head. I’m afraid the queen’s days are numbered. She has sacrificed her kingdom for her dignity. But I don’t blame her. I would have done that myself.

Esther knew that she would too. She couldn’t help but admire Queen Vashti for standing up for what she believed, and not sacrificing her virtue to be humiliated like that.

But Rego, what will happen to her?

Rego shrugged. Exile, I hope. But I’m afraid that would be too kind of the king. He’ll probably kill her, or mutilate her so she won’t be beautiful any more.

Esther shuddered. It was so unfair! She noticed that the people were beginning to leave, and at Rego’s nod they also decided to go. The party was over. And besides, she wanted to talk to Uncle Mordecai about this, to find out what he thought. She had always listened to him, because he was a man of wisdom. He had a very strong sense of destiny, as he called it, and maybe he believed something would come out of this experience that possibly God had planned.

She shook her head. No. Only evil could come from this terrible event. But she wanted to talk to her uncle. She valued his wisdom.

CHAPTER 2

Uncle Mordecai was actually Esther’s cousin. She felt more comfortable calling him Uncle because he was a much older man.

Esther told him the entire story of what had happened at the women’s party. He listened in silence as she talked, pulling on his long gray beard, his eyes troubled. They sat in the courtyard of their house in the early morning sunlight. The party last night had not been late.

When she had finished talking, Uncle Mordecai leaned back against the wall and sighed.

Look not upon the wine when it is red, he muttered, and Esther knew he was quoting from an ancient proverb of their people. When it sparkles in the cup; when it goes down smoothly. The proverb was not about drinking wine, but rather about drinking too much wine.

Esther nodded, waiting for the old man to continue. He took his time.

"They are trying to make their party last six months. The king will be going away soon on one of his military campaigns. He is trying to gain support by showing off his power to the nobles.

And his wealth. And He sighed again. And his wife’s beauty,

which he considers part of his wealth."

He lapsed into silence again, pondering this news. Esther waited for him to continue. She recalled his descriptions of the king’s party, which he had attended from time to time along with other Jewish exiles in the city of Susa.

She recalled Uncle Mordecai’s description of the time they showed off their treasures from conquered countries. Some of these were the sacred vessels from the Jewish Temple. The Jews at the party had all protested loudly when the cups were filled with wine for the drunken revelers to drink. Seeing their outrage, King Xerxes had immediately put away the cups. Mordecai had expressed his relief that this occurred before the king had drunk too much to cloud his judgment.

Finally Uncle Mordecai spoke.

I had a dream last night. I wonder if it came from God.

Esther waited for him to continue. After a moment of silence, he went on, describing his dream.

Behold, two great dragons came forth, both of them ready to fight, and their cry was great. And at their cry, all nations were prepared for battle that they might fight against the righteous nation. It was a day of darkness and gloom, tribulation and anguish, affliction and great uproar upon the earth.

He paused, frowning, shaking his head slowly. He had lapsed into the story-telling chant, so familiar to the people of Jewish heritage. Finally he continued.

And the righteous nation was troubled, fearing they were about to perish. They cried out to God. And then I saw a little fountain, and out of it came a great river. The sun rose, and the lowly were exalted, and the mighty were cast down.

Esther shuddered. That would be a horrible dream. A nightmare. She reached out and touched her guardian’s hand.

He looked at her and smiled. Hadassah, my child.

He called her that, sometimes. It was her Jewish name, given to her by her parents at her birth. It meant a shrub that grew back in their homeland. The Persian name, Esther, had also been given to her. It meant Evening Star. Mordecai was careful always to call her Esther