Esther Activity Book (for kids ages 6-12) - Free Printable

To solve the questions from the image, we need to refer to the book of Esther in the Bible. Here are the answers along with explanations:

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Question 1: Who was the king of Persia at this time?

- Answer: King Ahasuerus (also known as Xerxes I).
- Explanation: The book of Esther begins by introducing King Ahasuerus, who ruled over a vast empire.

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Question 2: Why did Haman have a set of gallows made?

- Answer: Haman had a set of gallows made to hang Mordecai, who refused to bow down to him.
- Explanation: Haman was upset because Mordecai, a Jew, would not bow down to him. In his anger and pride, he plotted to kill Mordecai and all the Jews in the kingdom.

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Question 3: What did Esther ask Mordecai and the Hebrews to do before she saw the king?

- Answer: Esther asked Mordecai and the Hebrews to fast for three days and nights.
- Explanation: Before approaching the king uninvited, which could result in her death, Esther requested that the Jews fast and pray for her success.

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Question 4: What did the king do when Esther came before him uninvited?

- Answer: The king extended his golden scepter to Esther, sparing her life and allowing her to speak.
- Explanation: According to Persian law, anyone who approached the king without being summoned could be put to death. However, when Esther came forward, the king showed mercy by extending his scepter, signaling that she could speak.

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Question 5: Who did Esther invite to her feasts?

- Answer: Esther invited King Ahasuerus and Haman to two separate feasts.
- Explanation: Esther hosted two banquets. At the first feast, only the king and Haman were present. At the second feast, Esther revealed Haman's plot against the Jews.

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Question 6: Who wanted to destroy all the Hebrews in the kingdom?

- Answer: Haman.
- Explanation: Haman, the king's chief advisor, devised a plan to annihilate all the Jews in the kingdom out of hatred and revenge against Mordecai.

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Question 7: How did the king stop the destruction of the Hebrews?

- Answer: The king issued a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves and fight back against those who sought to harm them.
- Explanation: After learning of Haman's plot through Esther, the king reversed the original decree and gave the Jews permission to protect themselves and their families.

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Question 8: To how many provinces did the king send messengers?

- Answer: 127 provinces.
- Explanation: The book of Esther mentions that the king's empire spanned 127 provinces, and messengers were sent throughout these provinces to deliver the decrees.

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Question 9: What did the king allow the Hebrews to do to save themselves?

- Answer: The king allowed the Hebrews to gather and defend themselves, giving them permission to kill those who threatened them.
- Explanation: The king's new decree granted the Jews the right to arm themselves and take action against their enemies on the day set for their destruction.

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Question 10: Which holiday celebrates Esther's heroic acts?

- Answer: Purim.
- Explanation: The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman's plot. It is celebrated with feasting, gift-giving, and the reading of the Book of Esther.

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Final Answers:

1. King Ahasuerus
2. To hang Mordecai
3. Fast for three days and nights
4. Extended his golden scepter
5. King Ahasuerus and Haman
6. Haman
7. Issued a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves
8. 127 provinces
9. Gather and defend themselves
10. Purim

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Boxed Final Answer:
\boxed{
\begin{aligned}
1. & \text{King Ahasuerus} \\
2. & \text{To hang Mordecai} \\
3. & \text{Fast for three days and nights} \\
4. & \text{Extended his golden scepter} \\
5. & \text{King Ahasuerus and Haman} \\
6. & \text{Haman} \\
7. & \text{Issued a new decree allowing the Jews to defend themselves} \\
8. & \text{127 provinces} \\
9. & \text{Gather and defend themselves} \\
10. & \text{Purim}
\end{aligned}
}