Esther's Chiasm

Esther's Chiasm
Esther 1:1-10:3

א   The king gives a banquet (1:1-9).
   ב   The queen rebels (1:10-12).
      ג   The king issues an edict (1:13-22).
         ד   The king remembers (2:1).
      ג'   The king issues an invitation (2:2-4).
   ב'   The queen submits (2:5-17).
א'   The king gives a banquet (2:18).

א   Mordecai serves the king and denies his people (2:19-20).
      ב   The attack on the Jews:
      1   The king promotes Haman (3:1-4).
      2   Haman seeks to destroy the Jews (3:5-11).
      3   The king issues an edict of annihilation (3:12-15).
      4    The Jews mourn (4:1-3).
      5    Esther fears for herself (4:4-14).
      6    Esther requests a three-day fast (4:15-17).
            ג   The first banquet:
            1   The king inquires of Esther's petition (5:1-3).
            2   Esther invites him to her banquet (5:4).
            3   The king asks again (5:5-6).
            4   Esther responds and Haman is pleased (5:7-9)
                  ד   Haman hates Mordecai:
                  1   Haman sees Mordecai at the king's gate (5:9).
                  2   Haman goes home in anger (5:10-13).
                  3   His wife and friends encourage him (5:14).
                        ה   The king remembers (6:1-3).
                  ד'   Haman fears Mordecai:
                  1   Haman parades Mordecai around the king's gate (6:4-11).
                  2   Haman goes home in mourning (6:12).
                  3   His wife and friends reprove him (6:13-14).
            ג'   The second banquet:
            1   The king inquires of Esther's petition (7:1-2).
            2   Esther requests him to save her life (7:3-4).
            3   The king asks for specifics (7:5).
            4   Esther responds, the king is enraged, and Haman is hanged (7:10).
      ב'   The deliverance of the Jews:
      1   The king promotes Mordecai (8:1-2).
      2   Esther intercedes to save the Jews (8:3-6).
      3   The king issues an edict of reprieve (8:7-14)
      4   The Jews rejoice (8:15-17).
      5   The Jews defend themselves (9:1-17).
      6   Esther decrees a two-day feast (9:17-32).
א'   Mordecai serves the king and blesses his people (10:1-3).

After notes by John Harley III.

   Esther Chiasm