Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
Esther's petition: 'Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request'. Esther reveals she's among those targeted by the genocidal decree, personally appealing for her life and her people's. Her phrasing ('let my life be given me') demonstrates rhetorical skill—she presents herself as condemned but deserving king's mercy. The phrase 'my people' will force the king to recognize Jews aren't abstract threat but include his beloved queen. This strategic revelation demonstrates wisdom in advocacy—making abstract injustice personal and specific to move hearts toward action.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern court advocacy required skillful rhetoric. Esther's appeal balances humility ('if I have found favour') with directness ('let my life be given me'), making personal what Ahasuerus had approved abstractly. That she identifies Jews as 'my people' forces the king to recognize that the decree threatens someone he loves, personalizing the genocide. Her timing—after two banquets building suspense, after Haman's attendance increasing dramatic tension—shows strategic wisdom. Ancient rhetoric valued kairos (proper timing) and pathos (emotional appeal), both demonstrated here. Esther's intercession foreshadows Christ's advocacy for His people before the Father.
Questions for Reflection
What does Esther's rhetorical strategy teach about effective advocacy for the vulnerable and oppressed?
How does her intercession for her people foreshadow Christ's advocacy for believers?
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Analysis & Commentary
Esther's petition: 'Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request'. Esther reveals she's among those targeted by the genocidal decree, personally appealing for her life and her people's. Her phrasing ('let my life be given me') demonstrates rhetorical skill—she presents herself as condemned but deserving king's mercy. The phrase 'my people' will force the king to recognize Jews aren't abstract threat but include his beloved queen. This strategic revelation demonstrates wisdom in advocacy—making abstract injustice personal and specific to move hearts toward action.