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Esther
The Book of Esther is named after its Jewish heroine. It tells the story of the plot of Haman the Agagite, jealous and powerful vizier of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) of Persia (485-464 B.C.), to destroy in a single day all the Jews living in the Persian Empire. He is moved to this out of hatred for the Jewish servant Mordecai, who for religious motives refuses to render him homage. The book may be divided as follows: Prologue (A,1-17), Elevation of Esther (1,1-2,23), Haman's Plot against the Jews (3,1-13;B,1-7;3,14-4,8; B,8; 4,9-16;C,1-D,16;5,1-14), Vindication of the Jews (6,1-8,12;E,1-24;8,13-10,3), Epilogue (F, 1-11)
Day One - Esther, Chapters A,1-3,B
| Dream of Mordecai | Esther A:1-11 |
| The Plot Discovered | Esther A:12-17 |
| The Banquet of Ahasuerus | Esther 1:1-9 |
| Deposal of Vashti | Esther 1:10-22 |
| Esther Made Queen | Esther 2:1-18 |
| The Plot Discovered | Esther 2:19-23 |
| Mordecai Refuses to Honor Haman | Esther 3:1-4 |
| Haman's Reprisal | Esther 3:5-7 |
| Decree against the Jews | Esther 3:8-13,B:1-7,3:3 |
Day Two - Esther, Chapters 4,C-D,5-8,E
| Esther's Aid Sought by Mordecai | Esther 4:1-16 |
| Prayer of Mordecai | Esther C:1-11 |
| Prayer of Esther | Esther C:12-30 |
| Esther Is Received by the King | Esther D:1-5:8 |
| Haman's Plot Against Mordecai | Esther 5:9-14 |
| Mordecai's Reward from the King | Esther 6:1-13 |
| Esther's Second Banquet | Esther 6:14-7:8 |
| Punishment of Haman | Esther 7:9-8:2 |
| The Second Royal Decree | Esther 8:3-12,E:1-24,8:13-17 |
Day Three - Esther, Chapters 9-10
| Victory of the Jews | Esther 9:1-19 |
| The Feast of Purim | Esther 9:20-10:3 |
| Mordecai's Dream Fulfilled | Esther F:1-10 |
1 Maccabees
The name Maccabee, probably meaning "hammer," is actually applied in the Books of Maccabees to only one man, Judas, third son of the priest Mattathias and first leader of the revolt against the Seleucid kings who persecuted the Jews (1Ma 2:4, 66; 2Ma 8:5, 16; 10:1, 16). Traditionally the name has come to be applied to the brothers of Judas, his supporters, and even to other Jewish heroes of the period, such as the seven brothers (2Ma 7). 1 Maccabees is divided as follows: Introduction: Hellenism in Asia Minor (1Ma 1:1-9), The Maccabean Revolt (1Ma 1:10-2:70), Leadership of Judas Maccabeus (1Ma 3:1-9:22), Leadership of Jonathan (1Ma 9:23-12:54), Simon, High Priest and Ethnarch (1Ma 13:1-16:24).
Day Four - 1 Maccabees, Chapters 1-4
| Conquests and Death of Alexander | 1 Maccabees 1:1-9 |
| Pact between Jews and Gentiles | 1 Maccabees 1:10-15 |
| Egyptian Campaign of Antiochus | 1 Maccabees 1:16-19 |
| Persecution of the Jews | 1 Maccabees 1:20-40 |
| Prohibitions against Religion | 1 Maccabees 1:41-63 |
| Mattathias and His Sons | 1 Maccabees 2:1-14 |
| Pagan Worship Refused | 1 Maccabees 2:15-48 |
| Death of Mattathias | 1 Maccabees 2:49-70 |
| Defeat of Apollonius and Seron | 1 Maccabees 3:1-26 |
| Regency of Lysias | 1 Maccabees 3:27-37 |
| The Victories of Judas | 1 Maccabees 3:38-4:25 |
| Victory over Lysias | 1 Maccabees 4:26-35 |
| Purification of the Temple | 1 Maccabees 4:36-61 |
Day Five - 1 Maccabees, Chapters 5-8
| Punishment of Hostile Acts | 1 Maccabees 5:1-8 |
| Liberation of Galilean Jews | 1 Maccabees 5:9-23 |
| Rescue in Gilead | 1 Maccabees 5:24-54 |
| Joseph and Azariah Defeated | 1 Maccabees 5:55-68 |
| Defeat and Death of Antiochus IV | 1 Maccabees 6:1-16 |
| The Citadel Besieged | 1 Maccabees 6:17-27 |
| Campaign against Judas | 1 Maccabees 6:28-54 |
| Peace Treaty | 1 Maccabees 6:55-63 |
| Expedition of Bacchides and Alcimus | 1 Maccabees 7:1-25 |
| Defeat of Nicanor | 1 Maccabees 7:26-50 |
| Treaty with the Romans | 1 Maccabees 8:1-32 |
Day Six - 1 Maccabees, Chapters 9-12
| Invasion of Judah | 1 Maccabees 9:1-10 |
| Death of Judas | 1 Maccabees 9:11-22 |
| Bacchides and Jonathan | 1 Maccabees 9:23-73 |
| Revolt of Alexander | 1 Maccabees 10:1-14 |
| Jonathan Supports Alexander | 1 Maccabees 10:15-50 |
| Treaty of Ptolemy and Alexander | 1 Maccabees 10:51-66 |
| Victory over Apollonius | 1 Maccabees 10:67-89 |
| Alliance of Demetrius and Ptolemy | 1 Maccabees 11:1-13 |
| Deaths of Alexander and Ptolemy | 1 Maccabees 11:14-19 |
| Pact with Demetrius | 1 Maccabees 11:20-37 |
| The Intrigue of Trypho | 1 Maccabees 11:38-40 |
| Jonathan Aids Demetrius | 1 Maccabees 11:41-53 |
| Alliance with Trypho | 1 Maccabees 11:54-62 |
| War with Demetrius | 1 Maccabees 11:63-74 |
| Alliances with Rome and Sparta | 1 Maccabees 12:1-23 |
| Demetrius Repelled | 1 Maccabees 12:24-38 |
| Capture of Jonathan | 1 Maccabees 12:39-53 |
Day Seven - 1 Maccabees, Chapters 13-16
| Simon, Leader of the Jews | 1 Maccabees 13:1-11 |
| Deceit and Treachery of Trypho | 1 Maccabees 13:12-24 |
| Jonathan's Tomb | 1 Maccabees 13:25-30 |
| Pact between Simon and Demetrius | 1 Maccabees 13:30-42 |
| Capture of Gazara and the Citadel | 1 Maccabees 13:43-53 |
| Capture of Demetrius | 1 Maccabees 14:1-3 |
| Glory of Simon | 1 Maccabees 14:4-15 |
| Alliance with Rome and Sparta | 1 Maccabees 14:16-24 |
| Decree of Honor | 1 Maccabees 14:25-49 |
| Letter of Antiochus | 1 Maccabees 15:1-14 |
| Roman Alliance Renewed | 1 Maccabees 15:15-24 |
| Hostility of Antiochus | 1 Maccabees 15:25-36 |
| Victory over Cendebeus | 1 Maccabees 15:37-16:10 |
| Murder of Simon and His Sons | 1 Maccabees 16:11-24 |
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