Chapter 7--The king & Haman come to the banquet prepared for just them by Queen Esther.  When the king asks her what she would like...she asked to have her life (& the lives of her people) spared from destruction.  The king asks who did that, and Esther points to Haman!
    The king is furious, and leaves the room for a moment to think.  While he's gone, Haman begs Esther for his life.  When the king comes back into the room, Haman is all over Esther (evidently trying to plead his case).  A servant tells the king that Haman had built a gallows to hang Mordecai...so the king hanged Haman on his own gallows!

Chapter 8--The next step for Esther...was to find a way to stop the killing of the Jews.  Athough the king couldn't recind his initial order, he allowed Esther & Mordecai (who was promoted to Haman's old position) to write an order allowing the Jews to defend themselves against their attackers.
    The Jews heard the good news, and prepared for the attack (to be held on the 13th day of the 12th month).  There was such joy & excitement among the Jews...that many of the people of the land became Jews themselves!

Chapters 9-10--The time came for the orders to be executed.  And, while the enemies of the Jews were expecting a victory...the opposite happened.  The Jews, along with help from the king's officials & those working for the king helped defend the Jews from their attackers.
    It was an overwhelming victory for the Jews!  In response to their victory, they initiated an annual feast (The Feast of Purim) to celebrate their rest from their enemies.  
    Mordecai was elevated to 2nd in the kingdom...under only King Ahasuerus.

Notes--  The Book of Esther has many lessons that we can come away with, including:

• The providential hand of God.  Although God is not mentioned one time in the entire book, there is no doubt that God is everywhere in the story.  Mordecai trusted God, and was prtected by God.
• The danger of anger & bitterness.  These tools of Satan will bring down even the most successful person
• Being available to God.  God puts us in positions where we can be mightily used by Him...if we are willing to be used.  Esther could very well have said "no" to her opportunity to be used by God.  But she didn't, and has been forever remembered for her service to God.
• The rewards for faithfulness.  Mordecai was certainly rewarded for his steadfast devotion to God.