Esther

This is the eleventh in a series of biblical summaries from David Dorsey's book: The Literary Structure of the Old Testament.  This is the seventh in the sub-series of historical books, covering the Book of Esther.

a   king's proud feast (1:1-22)
          b   Esther becomes queen (2:1-18)
                      c   king's life is saved (2:19-23)
                                d   Haman's plot (3:1-4:3)
                                       e  Mordecai learns of Haman's plot (4:4-17)
                                             f  Esther invites king and Haman to her first banquet (5:1-14)
                                                   g  TURNING POINT: Haman's fortunes turn: (6:1-14)
                                             f'  Esther invites king and Haman to second banquet (7:1-10)
                                       e'  Mordecai and Esther given Haman's estate (8:1-2)
                                d'  Haman's plot foiled (8:3-17)
                      c'  Jews' lives are saved (9:1-10)
          b'  Esther wins second day for Jews in Susa (9:11-19)
a'  Jews' Feast of Purim (9:20-10:3)

The 'a' pattern shows the parallel between two banquets.  At the first banquet, the king deposes Queen Vashti.  At the second banquet, the king promotes Mordecai.  The second banquet ultimately resolves the issues inspired by the first banquet.

The 'b' pattern links two feasts given in honor of Esther.  In the first, the king honors her as the new queen.  In the second, the king honors as a result of her action.  The second feast highlights the full span of Esther's character development from when she is introduced to the story at the first feast.

The 'c' pattern links two murderous plots which are foiled.  In the first section, those plotting to kill the king are killed.  In the second section, those plotting to kill the Jews are killed.  The first example of murder averted foreshadows the more central example of the Jews lives being saved.

The 'd' section shows a reversal of Haman's edict.  In the first section, Haman persuades the king to kill Jews in the month of Adar, to destroy, kill, annihilate them, and plunder their goods.  In the second section, Haman's plot is foiled.  Esther persuades the king to reverse the edict, for the Jews to destroy, kill, and annihilate those who attack them, and plunder their goods.  This illustrates the vindication of God's people when they were unjustly plotted against.

The 'e' section shows Esther's risk and reward.  In the first section, Mordecai learns of Haman's plot and appeals to Esther to risk all to stop Haman.  In the second section, Haman loses all, as Mordecai and Esther receive his estate.  The reward of Haman's estate ends up reflecting the risk of Esther's life that she took to act.

The 'f'' section links Esther's two banquets.  In the aftermath of the first banquet, Haman builds a gallows to hang Mordecai.  In the aftermath of the second banquet, Haman is hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai.  The literary link shows Haman falling into his own trap.

The 'g' section is the turning point of the book.  Haman, who most desires to dishonor Mordecai, unwittingly honors him in response to the king.  This implies that the Jews were saved by divine providence.