Gods Appointed time: The Feast of Purim- Esther play script

Here is my Purim play- The Story Of Esther

Purim: The Story of Esther

Ron and Theresa Krout  2-24-17      Edit #7b

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theresa125@centurytel.net

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print, copy or perform this play. Thanks. 

SONG: Kim Hill- For Such a Time as This

INTRODUCTION ABOUT SIGNS……

Scene one  (Everyone on stage)

(Step forward as narrator introduces you…..)

NARRATOR:    Hear ye!  Hear ye!  Hear ye!  This is the story of Esther – or if you prefer, how Purim started.     Welcome one!  Welcome all! 

Purim…. It’s sometimes called the Feast of Lots … often called the Feast of Esther … but is usually called the Feast of Purim.    Esther 9:28 reads:… These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province, and in every city.  And these days of Purim should never cease to be celebrated by the Jews, nor should the memory of them die out among their descendants.

Now let me tell you a little about the characters in our story tonight. (Ether steps forward)

This is Esther, a beautiful Jewish girl… with a destiny. 

ESTHER:  Shalom everyone. Some folks call me Hadassah, but I prefer to be called Esther.  You’ll notice me even before I get close because I smell delicious, I even smell like cinnamon toast.  It comes from all of those months of special beauty treatments…six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and cosmetics.

KING ASH:  Yeah!  Yeah!  So she smells sweet.  But every story needs a hero…a real “He-Man”.  …a real stud-ly guy!  That’s me.   King (Ahasuerus AKA: Xerxes).  But you can call me King Ash.   I’m the King of Persia Media.

(King showing off chin, eyes and big crown)

NARRATOR:  This is King Ash!  You should recognize him even from afar…rather distinguished looking…don’t you think?  Notice the noble chin, deep set eyes, and BIG crown.  …but not really of “royal” blood.  (Whispering) He “bought” his position, so they say….he used to be a stable-keeper. 

(King motions like it’s a secret) shhhh

This is King Ash’s wife, Queen Vashti.  She’s the one with royal blood, from the family of King Nebuchadnezzar II …his great-granddaughter.  The only real claim to the throne of the king seems to stems from Queen Vashti, and they both know this very well.  (Whispering) She continually reminds him of it, too.  He married her thinking she would add validity to his kingship.  She’s got a pretty BIG crown…., and thinks her crown “ought” to be BIGGER than “his” crown.  She is considered the most beautiful woman of the land.

VASHTI:  I’m called Vashti.  I’m the Queen of Persia Media.  You think Women’s Lib is something new?  Well, let me tell you, I have my own ideas about womens lib.

NARRATOR:  Some of you may recognize the Jew, Mordechai.  He’s a Godly man and often sits by the gates of the city.  He’s wise and well respected by all. 

MORDECHAI:  Yes, I’m Jewish.  I’m Mordechai, of the Tribe of Benjamin.   We Jews have never asked for trouble, but HaShem, Blessed be His Name, seems to continually bless us THROUGH OUR ample supply of troubles. 

(Haman steps forward)

NARRATOR:  Every story has a villain.  In this one, it’s this guy…Haman!   It’s customary to show your distaste for him with a “Boo”, or a “Hiss” or by stomping your feet whenever his name is spoken. So when we show the Boo sign show your protest!  (Practice a BOO with sign)

HAMAN:  Haman’s…… the name…self-promoting is my game. (Looking into the audiance..)       You’re not Jewish? are you?  …I just can’t stand those Jews!  Step over Hitler…I was there long before you. (Looking proud and then moves off stage) 

NARRATOR:  Haman’s wife is Zeresh.  They have many sons. You may have heard of the three eldest:

Saddam…. Osama…. Yesser??  Their just like their dad- chips of the old block.

We also have with us tonight one of the King’s wisemen who will help the king with matters of the law and an attendant who carries out the laws. (Attendant steps off)

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 Scene two: (King, Vashti, Wiseman) (King in one chair Vashti off to side) 

NARRATOR:  This is what happened in the days of King Ash, who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Ethiopia. King Ash gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials, the military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were all there.  Queen Vashti also gave her own celebration for the women who’s husbands had attended the kings banquet.  The celebration went on for  187 days.

KING ASH:  Bring Queen Vashti to the banquet wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles.... What’s the point of having a Queen of noble birth if you can’t show her off every now and then????

(Attendant talking with Vashti)

NARRATOR:  So the attendants delivered the king’s command, but it wasn’t not well received.

VASHTI:  Who does he think he is????  Just because he’s the King, and my husband, doesn’t give him any right to tell me what to do.  Maybe I’ll go…and then…maybe I just won’t!  We’ll see who wears the pants in this family!  (Vashti  shows pants and then storms off stage)

NARRATOR:  So, Queen Vashti refused to go.

KING ASH:  I’m so mad!  I’m furious! (Pause and ponder) What will the guys think?  (Looking at wiseman….)

What should I do to Queen Vashti for not obeying my command?

WISEMAN:  Queen Vashti has done wrong against the king and against everybody in the kingdom.  All the women are going to hear about the queen’s conduct, and they might get ideas themselves.  They will despise their husbands…and think they too can get away with not listening to their husbands. There will be no end to the disrespect and discord. 

Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Ash.   Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better looking than she is. …someone who knows how to listen to her husband’s wishes!

KING ASH:  Yeah!  I can go along with that!  So be it! (Wiseman writes in journal)

ATTENDANT:  Let a search be made for a beautiful new Queen for the king instead of Vashti. 

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Scene three (Attendant, Mordechai, Esther)

NARRATOR:  Now there was in the kingdom a Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin named Mordechai. Mordechai had a cousin named Hadassa.  This girl, who was also known as Esther, was kind, beautiful and very smart. Mordechai had taken her in and adopted her, to raise her as his own daughter, because she had no mother or father.  

(Attendant walks over and speaks to Mordechai who is standing by curtain) (Esther other end of stage)

ATTENDANT:  I understand that there is a beautiful young woman living in your home.

MORDECHAI:  Yes, she is my cousin, Esther.  Would you care to come in?  …or shall we stand here in the streets solving all God’s riddles?

ATTENDANT:  Just tell the girl to get her things.  (Hands him a bag) She’ll be going to the palace with me!

MORDECHAI:  Esther, the king’s attendant is here, and he wants to take you to the palace.  Seems the King is looking for a new wife.

ESTHER:  But I’m not really interested in living in the palace … or being the new Queen.  I enjoy my life here with you.

MORDECHAI:  I’m sure you do, Esther … and I feel the same.  But HaShem, Blessed be His Name, seems to have other plans for your life.  True, dear cousin?  Of course, true!   

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Scene four   (sign # 2 comes down)

NARRATOR:  The King was attracted to Esther.  She was kind and she even more beautiful than Vashti….  And so Esther won the heart of the king. But before she could be the queen, she had to eat a special diet, complete 12 months of beauty treatments and that is why she smells so beautiful.

(Attendant places lace on  Esther and then crown.)

And so the king made her the new queen. Now Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background to anyone, because Mordechai had forbidden her to do so.

( Two men secretly talking, holding a bottle of poison)

Mordechai would spend his days sitting at the king’s gate.  One day while he was at the king’s gate, he overheard two of the king’s attendants who were conspiring to assassinate King Ash. When Mordechai found out about the plot, he told Queen Esther, who reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordechai. When the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were hanged on a gallows and the good deeds of Mordechai were written in the daily journal of the king.      

Mordechai saves king

 

**************************************************************************************

Scene five : (Haman, Mordechai, King) (men bowing to Haman)

NARRATOR: It was sometime after that when King Ash decided to honor Haman….., elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than all the other nobles and princes, making him second in command.

All the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman……., as the king had commanded. But Mordechai would not kneel down or pay him honor.

When Haman……. saw that Mordechai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged.

(Haman is very angry)

HAMAN:  Why aren’t you bowing to me?  Don’t you know who I am?

MORDECHIA:  Me bow to you?  God should strike me dead first, Blessed be His Name, should I EVER bow to you!  Yes, I know who you are, but I’m Mordechai, the Jew, and I bow before no one but God.

NARRATOR:  Haman…… was furious!  He looked for a way to destroy Mordechai and all of his people, the Jews.

So he went to the king.     (Haman goes to the king)

HAMAN:  King.  There is a group of people scattered among the people in your kingdom whose customs are different and who do not obey the king’s laws.  These people are worthless and have ugly daughters!  If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them.

KING ASH:  Sounds like a good plan, Haman…….  I’ll give you the signet ring from my finger.  Do with these people as you please…especially the UGLY ones.

Kill the Jews- (stays up till scene 11)

Scene six: (Haman,, Mordechai, Esther) (Mordechai listening to Haman talk)

HAMAN:  We will send out dispatches with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and little children—on a single day.  (Haman rolls the dice)

I’ve just cast the “pur”, and the 13th day of the 12^th  month, the month of Adar.   This is the chosen day to

 kill all the Jews and to steal their goods.

NARRATOR:  When Mordechai learned of all that was to be done, he tore his clothes from grief, lamenting and crying bitterly.  He then made a visit to Esther.  (Finding Esther….  Esther standing off to side)

MORDECHAI:  Esther, that evil Haman……., may his brains be turned to steam, has made plans to have all the Jews killed on the 13th day of Adar.  You must go into the King to beg for mercy and plead for your people.

ESTHER: You know, any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned will be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. I don’t know if I want to risk it or not!

MORDECHAI:  Dear cousin, do not think that because you are in the king’s house you will escape any more than any other Jew! If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will come from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows MAYBE you have come to be the queen, for such a time as this?

ESTHER:  We need a miracle! …. And men cannot work miracles without the hand of God the Eternal.  Gather together all the Jews in the kingdom.  Tell them to pray and fast with me, neither eating nor drinking for three days and nights.  

When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish…. I perish.

MORDECHAI:  God’s greatest pleasure is making miracles from the dust of our despair… We will pray for a miracle.

NARRATOR:  So Mordechai carried out all of Esther’s instructions. When the Jewish people heard all of these things they began to cry out to God….. fasting and praying.

************************************************************************************

Scene seven: (King, Esther) ( Esther getting her robe on)

NARRATOR: On the third day, Esther put on her finest royal robe and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. When the king glanced over and saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand.  (King plays with rattle a little)

KING ASH:  What is it, Esther? What is your request? Even up to half of my kingdom, it will be given to you.

(Esther approaches the king)

ESTHER:  If it pleases the king, come today to a banquet I have prepared for you … and bring Haman……, too.

NARRATOR:  So the king and Haman……. went to the banquet Esther had prepared.

KING ASH:  OK, sweetie, we’re here.  Everything was delicious. What can I do for you? I will give you anything. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom.  It will be yours.

ESTHER:  If you regard me with favor and if it pleases you to grant my petition, come again tomorrow, along with Haman, to another banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will answer your question.  

***************************************************************************************

 Scene eight: (Haman, Zeresh)  (Haman looking very proud and mighty)

 

NARRATOR:  Haman…… went out that day very happy and in high spirits. He called together his friends, his wife, and his sons.   Haman …….boasted to them about his vast wealth, and all the ways the king had honored him & how he had elevated him above the other nobles and princes in Persia.

HAMAN:  (REAL PROUD)    And that’s not all.  I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave, and she has invited me along with the king again tomorrow…. But all this is not enough as long as I see that Jew, Mordechai, sitting at the king’s gate and refusing to bow to me.

NARRATOR:  Hamans wife Zeresh suggests that he build a gallows and  have Mordechai hung on it.  This suggestion delighted Haman……, and  so he had the gallows built…right outside of his own house.

******************************************************************************************

 Scene nine: (King, Attendant, Haman)

(Attendant pretending to read the journals to king)

NARRATOR:   That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered his daily journals to be read to him. King Ash was reminded of how Mordechai had exposed the two attendants who had conspired to assassinate him.

KING ASH:   I forgot all about that. ( take a moment and think)  What honor and recognition has Mordechai received for saving my life and bringing this matter to my attention?

ATTENDANT:  Nothing has been done for him, sir.

NARRATOR:  Shortly after that Haman….. entered the room.

KING ASH:  So Haman……. What should be done for the man the king would like to honor?

NARRATOR:  Haman…. thought to himself …

HAMAN:   (Whispering to himself) Who is this that the king would like to honor?  Could it be me?

(WITH PRIDE) Oh, King, if there is someone you desire to honor, then you should bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head.   Then let your attendants robe the man that you desire to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming what this man has done and how the king delights to honor him.

KING ASH:  Great idea!  Go at once, take my robe and my horse and do just as you have suggested …… for Mordechai … the Jew!!!  And by the way!  Don’t leave out anything you mentioned.

  (Haman leading Mordechai up and down church)

HAMAN: ( As Mordechai is lead through the streets of the city, hanging head down in shame/anger ) “This man saved the King!  This man is honored by the King!” 

NARRATOR:  (As they are at end of isle)  So Haman…… did as the king commanded leading Mordechai through the streets of the city, on the kings’ horse, wearing the kings’ robe and crown.

HAMAN: “This man saved the King!  This man is honored by the King!” 

(end of Cheering and Rejoicing  and  Mordechai sign)

Scene ten: (King, Esther, Haman)

NARRATOR:  Haman…… and the King are now at the second banquet that Esther had prepared.

KING ASH:  Thank you sweetie for your kindness with this second banquet.  What is your petition?

ESTHER:  If I have found favor king and if it so pleases the king then what I have to ask is to be given to me is my own life and the lives of my people!  For we have been sold…. I and my people… and are to be destroyed, killed and exterminated on the 13^th day of Adar!

KING ASH:  What?!!  Who is he?  Where is the man that dared to do such a thing?

ESTHER: A ruthless enemy- (as Esther points to Haman)  it’s this wicked man Haman!

(King motions for attendant who takes back the ring)

NARRATOR: The king is outraged.  

He takes back the ring from Haman….. and orders that the very gallows that Haman….. made for Mordechai be used to hand Haman.  And so the order was carried out.  (Attendant puts noose around Haman and off stage)

(King talking with Esther, hands her the estate) (Attendant getting Mordechai)

That same day King Ash gave Queen Esther the estate of Haman…..  Esther revealed to King Ash that Mordechai was her guardian,…. and so the king had Mordechai brought to the palace.  (Turning to Mordechai….)

KING ASH: Mordechai, the Jew…… here is my signet ring.  You shall be second in rank only to the King.

NARRATOR: (Attendant puts on crown, robe) Mordechai left the king’s presence wearing, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen.  He was prominent in the palace and his reputation of being a good man spread throughout the provinces and Mordechai became very powerful. He too was chosen by God  as such as time as this, because of his concern and care for his people.

Scene eleven: (King, Mordechai,  Esther at Kings feet)

 

NARRATOR : It had been a difficult time for the Jews during their Babylonia captivity, but God never left them or forgot about them.  They had always been and will always be the Apple of His Eye!!  Monarchs will come and go, empires will rise and fall, but Blessed be He, will always be in everlasting covenant with the seed of Israel.

(Esther bowing to king….)

Once again Esther pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping.  She begged him to put an end to the evil plan which  had been devised against her people the Jews.

God Please Protect Us! (Until end)

KING ASH: (As king helps Esther up…..) My dear Esther, you know a law cannot be revoked once it has been written.  But you many write another law in my name on behalf of the Jews and seal it with my signet ring that I have given to Mordechai.

(Mordechai and Esther writing and talking)

NARRATOR: Mordechai and Queen Esther wrote another law that granted that the Jews the right to assemble and protect themselves against their enemies.  They can destroy any armed forces of any nationality that might attack them and their women and children. 

(Haman, Attendant, Vashti, Wiseman all hand out the decree of protection/ flier) 

So a notice was written and sent to every province- each in their own language that they can protect themselves.  The people rejoiced.  For the Jews were relieved that they could keep themselves and families from harm.  In every province and city where the decree arrived the Jews celebrated with gladness and joy.  

(Two boys with swords, one a Jew other enemy who runs away!)

NARRATOR:  When the 13^th day of Adar arrived for the king’s order and decrees to be carried out, the enemies of the Jews did not overcome them.  Just the opposite the Jews assembled, defended themselves and put their enemies to the sword.    

Scene TWELVE: (King, Esther)   (King Ash talks with Ester….)

KING ASH: You people have defended themselves well.  Whatever else you require to save your people will be granted.

ESTHER:  If it pleases the king let my people continue to act- to ensuring their peace and security by defending themselves…..and also have Haman’s 10 sons hanged in the gallows.

NARRATOR:  The king commanded that this be done.  The 10 sons were hanged and the Jews come together on the 13^th  and 14^th day of the Adar, to defend themselves against their enemies.  The Jewish people were saved.  So on the 15^th day they rested.... had a feast and made it a holiday and many of the people of the land became Jews.

NARRATOR:  So it has been recorded in the book of Esther by Mordechai,…. that Queen Esther was granted favor by the king…. and protection by God…. that she might save her people… in such a time as this.

ESTHER: This is why we call these days Purim, for the word pur.  Because of everything written here today- and everything we have seen concerning this matter,- we the Jewish people, have taken upon ourselves, our descendants and all who might join us without fail….. to observe these two days in accordance with what is written.  At this appointed time…. every year…..these days will be remembered… throughout every generation, every family, every province and in every city ….and the days of Purim will never be forgotten among our people or lost to our descendants.

(As narrator reads all actors and actresses should assemble on stage for performance bow)

NARRATOR:  So the Feast of Purim gets its name from the miracle of Gods protection from the hand of an evil man….. who plotted to destroy- off the face of the earth- Gods chosen people.  If we consider the results of this evil plan- that all the Jewish people after this time would have been wiped out- how would the Messiah be born to the Jewish people?  This should cause us to be in awe of God and His wondrous ways.  Blessed be the King of the Universe who grants us safety and provides us a way of salvation!