The closing chapters of Esther provide a case study for looking at the question of violence in the Old Testament.
In the comedy of Haman's downfall we see a glimpse of the Gospel where God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, and uses the weak to shame the strong.
Esther provides a model of faith in action when you can't see God.
Vashti says no to being paraded as a trophy wife. The king of kings's ego is bruised. Solution: A Miss Universe contest. The plot thickens.