ESTHER’S FEAST.

as she wished, the three days before
she went to the king. The Jews
were willing to do this; so they,
and Mordecai, and Esther, all fasted,
and wept, and prayed before God.
It was a solemn time. The queen
and her maidens were fasting, and
weeping, and praying in the palace;
and Mordecai and the Jews in the
city ; none of them eat or drank for
three days. But what a comfort it was
for these poor people to have God

Te

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for their friend now! When we are
in trouble, we ought to do what
they did. We may never have such
trouble as Esther had; but very
often we may be in danger and dif-
ficulty ; and then we should tell all
our sorrows to God, and ask help
from Him. And He is willing to
hear us; He says, “ Call upon me in
the time of trouble, and I will de-
liver thee.” Psalm i. 15.

 

CCXX.

fe STHER'S f EAST.

HE three days passed, and
the time came for Esther
to go to the king. She
was going to the king
when he had not called
for her; and perhaps he might
not hold out the sceptre to her, and
then she would be put to death.
This was a fearful thought; but
Esther was determined to go, trust-

ing in God, and she knew that
nothing could hurt her without His
permission.

The king was sitting upon his
throne in his palace, when Esther
came in. She looked anxiously to see
if he would hold out the sceptre that
she might know whether she should
live or die. When Ahasuerus looked
up, and saw Esther standing in the
court so humbly and timidly, he

ta

pitied and loved her, and held out.

his sceptre, and called her to him.
So Esther went, and touched the
sceptre. But how thankful she felt
now! The king was not angry, but
pleased with her; he did not com-
mand her to be put to death, but

 

smiled, and said, “ What wilt thou,
queen Esther? Ask what thou
wilt, and it shall be given thee.”
But Hsther did not like to tell
Ahasuerus about the Jews directly.
She wanted time to think of her
petition, and to ask God to give her
courage and wisdom; so she only
said, “If it please the king, let the
king and Haman come to-day to
the feast I have made ready for
them.” Why did Esther ask Haman
to the feast? Did she not know
what a cruel, wicked man he was?
Yes, she knew this; and soon she
meant to tell the king all the truth
about Haman, but now Esther
wished to be wise and cautious in
all she did, not quick and hasty.
God had given Esther wisdom, be-
cause she had asked Him for it.
When we have very difficult work
to do, we ought, like this good
queen, to pray for wisdom to do it
rightly. If any man lack wisdom,
lef him ask of God, and it shall be
given him.” James i. 5.

Did Ahasuerus promise to come