In the Bible two kings offer two women anything, up to half of their kingdom. What were their choices?
The book of Mark records the imprisonment of John the Baptist and how the wife of Herod wanted him put to death. An opportunity for her wish came during a banquet.
For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.”
And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”
And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” Mark 6: 22-25
The book of Esther records a crisis for the Jewish people. A decree was made to kill all the Jews in the Persian empire. Queen Esther is approached by Mordecai and asked to seek a reversal of the decree from the King Ahasuerus. After three days of prayer and fasting she approaches the King.
So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, “What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.”
Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” Esther 7: 1-4
The King could not undo the decree, but he issued a new decree that allowed the Jewish people to defend themselves. Esther saved her people.
Two women and two choices. One choice based on anger and hatred. One choice based on prayer and sacrificial love.
Five Minute Friday is a writing community. We receive a prompt that directs our thoughts and we write. Today’s prompt is : HALF
i enjoyed your take on this. Well written.
How different the motivation of those two women.
Another good one. This was my first prompt, and I am really enjoying everyone’s answers.
This is wonderful! I had never heard or read these two royal women compared. Good things to think about. Thank you!
Telling observation. Be careful which half you pick. Choose wisely! Lives depend on it.
Amen. I enjoyed visiting your blog with the story of the magi looking for Jesus.
Esther reminds me how important prayer is.
Great examples from Scripture! Each woman’s choice had huge repercussions. Even if we aren’t petitioning a king, all of our decisions have consequences. I want to choose wisely.