Esther is considered one of the books classified as historical books in the Old Testament. This puts Esther in the place of Ezra and Nehemiah. Often, however, it is debated whether Esther is actually a historical, factual story or rather a work of fiction. Esther, indeed, shows some historical material, but may also provide less detail than necessary to know whether some events or people actually existed in this period. The story of Esther focuses on a young woman, named Esther, and her uncle Mordecai. They are both Jews living in the kingdom of Persia after the exile of the Jews from Israel. While there, the king's honored nobleman, Haman, conceived a plan to eradicate all the Jewish peoples living in Persia because Mordecai refused to bow to him. Coincidentally, the king had recently taken a new wife. This woman was Esther. Esther decided it would be safer to hide her true identity as a Jew to protect herself and Mordecai. However, as Haman was once again angered by Mordecai's reluctance to bow to him, Esther had a plan of her own, to expose herself as a Jew to the king and save her people. But the night before, the king had difficulty sleeping and ordered the annals of his reign to be brought to him to read. He opened up about the story of Mordecai saving him from assassination. So he decided to reward Mordecai. He asked Haman, “What should be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?” Haman replied, thinking that the king was speaking of him, to dress the man in robes and proclaim him to the city as the man whom the king is pleased to honor. The king then ordered Haman to do just the same thing for Mordecai. This angered Haman even more. That night, Esther invited the king and Haman to a bank… middle of paper… ugh her ability to hide in certain situations. Source: Huey, FB “Esther .” 1 Kings – Job. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988. 773-839. Press. vol. 4 of The Expositor's Biblical Commentary: with the new international version. Frank E. Gæbelein, gen. and. 12 vols. 1976-92.15.) Information: The New Interpreter's Bible says that as the heroine, we would expect Esther to be a moral role model. But he goes on to say that Esther “falls far below the general level of the Old Testament” in terms of morality. But she also goes on to say that by doing so, she is acting wisely and "protecting herself, her relatives, and ultimately her people." Source: Crawford, Sidnie W. "The Book of Esther." 1 King – Judith. Nashville: Abington Press, 1999. 853-972. Press. vol. 3 of the New Interpreter's Bible: a commentary in twelve volumes. Leander E. Keck et al. gen. and. 12 vols.