As you can imagine, when word gets out about Haman's plans to exterminate the Jews, it naturally causes a great deal of distress!
Mordecai puts on sackcloth and goes to the king's gate. When Esther learns he is there, she sends a messenger to find out what is going on (vs. 5). Mordecai informs her about the king's decree. He furthermore urges her to go to her husband the king and plead for the lives of her people (vs. 8).
Esther, however, is not so sure about that course of action. She responds very tentatively, letting Mordecai know that what he is suggesting could be tantamount to a suicide mission for her. There is a law in the kingdom that anyone who goes before the king unsummoned is summarily put to death - unless he decides to extend the scepter to that person. Esther informs Mordecai that she herself has not been summoned to the king for a month.
We then hear some of the most famous words in the Book of Esther. Mordecai warns her that even the queen is not safe, and that if she refuses to help her people at this critical moment, the Jews will still somehow be saved, but she will perish. He tells her, "Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this" (vs. 14).
In God's providence, nothing is wasted. There are no "coincidences." God had a plan for Esther before she ever became queen. He is never caught by surprise. And His timing is perfect.
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