◄ Esther 9:11 ►
On that day the number of those killed in the citadel of Susa was reported to the king,
Study Bible
On that day
This phrase refers to the specific day when the Jews were allowed to defend themselves against their enemies, as decreed by King Ahasuerus. This day was the 13th of Adar, a date that had been set by Haman for the annihilation of the Jews. The reversal of this decree highlights the providence of God in protecting His people.

the number of those killed
The text indicates a significant victory for the Jews, as they were able to defend themselves effectively. The specific number of those killed is not mentioned in this verse, but it underscores the scale of the conflict and the seriousness of the threat against the Jewish people. This victory is a testament to the divine justice and protection afforded to the Jews.

in the citadel of Susa
Susa was one of the major capitals of the Persian Empire, serving as a royal city where King Ahasuerus resided. The citadel was a fortified area within the city, often used for administrative and military purposes. The mention of Susa emphasizes the centrality of the events in the Persian Empire and the high stakes involved, as the conflict reached even the heart of the empire.

was reported to the king
The reporting of the number to the king indicates the importance of the event and the need for the king to be informed of the outcomes of the decree he had authorized. This reflects the administrative practices of the Persian Empire, where the king was kept apprised of significant developments. It also sets the stage for the king's subsequent actions and decisions regarding the Jews and their enemies.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Esther
The Jewish queen of Persia who played a crucial role in saving her people from destruction. Her courage and faith are central to the account.

2. King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I)
The Persian king who reigned during the events of the Book of Esther. He is depicted as a powerful yet somewhat easily influenced ruler.

3. Haman
The antagonist of the account, whose plot to annihilate the Jews is thwarted by Esther and Mordecai.

4. Mordecai
Esther's cousin and guardian, who becomes a key figure in the Jewish community's deliverance.

5. The Citadel of Susa
The fortified palace complex in the capital of the Persian Empire, where much of the account unfolds.
Teaching Points
Divine Providence
The events in Esther 9:11 remind us of God's unseen hand in history, orchestrating events for His purposes and the protection of His people.

Courage and Faith
Esther's account encourages believers to act with courage and faith, trusting that God can use their actions to bring about His will.

Justice and Retribution
The downfall of Haman and the victory of the Jews illustrate the biblical principle that God will ultimately bring justice and vindicate His people.

Community and Solidarity
The Jewish community's unity in the face of adversity serves as a model for how believers should support one another in times of trial.

The Power of Influence
Esther's influence over King Ahasuerus demonstrates the impact one person can have when positioned by God for a specific purpose.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Esther 9:11 illustrate the concept of divine providence, and how can this understanding impact our daily lives?

2. In what ways can Esther's courage inspire us to take bold steps of faith in our own circumstances?

3. How does the theme of justice in Esther 9:11 connect with other biblical teachings on God's justice and retribution?

4. What lessons can we learn from the unity of the Jewish community in Esther's time, and how can we apply these lessons to our church communities today?

5. Reflect on a time when you have seen God's hand at work in your life or the lives of others. How does this reinforce the message of Esther 9:11?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 50:20
This verse highlights God's ability to turn evil intentions into good outcomes, similar to how the plot against the Jews was turned into a victory.

Romans 8:28
This New Testament verse speaks to God's sovereignty and His ability to work all things for the good of those who love Him, reflecting the overarching theme of divine providence in Esther.

Psalm 37:12-13
These verses describe how the wicked plot against the righteous, but God laughs at them, knowing their day is coming, paralleling Haman's downfall.
Sermons
Leaving the SpoiltG. Lawson.
People
Abihail, Adalia, Ahasuerus, Aridai, Aridatha, Arisai, Aspatha, Dalphon, Esther, Haman, Hammedatha, Mordecai, Parmashta, Parshandatha, Poratha, Vajezatha
Places
Susa
Topics
Capital, Castle, Citadel, Death, Fortress, Killed, Palace, Reported, Shushan, Slain, Susa, Town
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Esther 9:6

     5254   citadel

Library
Of the Practice of Piety in Holy Feasting.
Holy feasting is a solemn thanksgiving, appointed by authority, to be rendered to God on some special day, for some extraordinary blessings or deliverances received. Such among the Jews was the feast of the Passover (Exod. xii. 15), to remember to praise God for their deliverance out of Egypt's bondage; or the feast of Purim (Esth. ix. 19, 21), to give thanks for their deliverance from Haman's conspiracy. Such amongst us is the fifth of November, to praise God for the deliverance of the king and …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Tiberias.
All the Jews declare, almost with one consent, that this was a fortified city from ancient times, even from the days of Joshua, and was the same with Rakkath, of which mention is made, Joshua 19:35. "Rakkath is Tiberias," say the Jerusalem Gemarists. And those of Babylon say the same, and that more largely: "It is clear to us that Rakkath is Tiberias." And when, after a few lines, this of Rabbi Jochanan was objected, "When I was a boy, I said a certain thing, concerning which I asked the elders, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Some Miscellaneous Matters Respecting the Face of the Land.
I. Let us begin with that canon concerning reading the Book of Esther in the feast of Purim. "Towns that were begirt with walls from the days of Joshua read it on the fifteenth day" of the month Adar: "Villages and great cities read it the fourteenth day": "Unless that the villages anticipate it, to the day of the congregation." You see a threefold distinction of cities and towns: 1. Fortifications, or towns girt with walls from the days of Joshua. But whence shall we know them? They are those which …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Place of Jesus in the History of the World.
The great event of the History of the world is the revolution by which the noblest portions of humanity have passed from the ancient religions, comprised under the vague name of Paganism, to a religion founded on the Divine Unity, the Trinity, and the Incarnation of the Son of God. It has taken nearly a thousand years to accomplish this conversion. The new religion had itself taken at least three hundred years in its formation. But the origin of the revolution in question with which we have to do …
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Esther
The spirit of the book of Esther is anything but attractive. It is never quoted or referred to by Jesus or His apostles, and it is a satisfaction to think that in very early times, and even among Jewish scholars, its right to a place in the canon was hotly contested. Its aggressive fanaticism and fierce hatred of all that lay outside of Judaism were felt by the finer spirits to be false to the more generous instincts that lay at the heart of the Hebrew religion; but by virtue of its very intensity …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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