This verse is Esther, in the Book of Esther, pleading with King Ahasuerus to spare her life and the lives of her people, the Jews. Let's break it down:

"And she answered and said...": This indicates Esther is responding to a question or opening provided by the king. It's crucial to remember the context - she has just revealed to the king that she is a Jew, and that Haman has plotted to have all the Jews in the kingdom killed.

"If I have found favor in the sight of the king...": This is a classic rhetorical device of humility and deference. Esther is appealing to the king's goodwill and emphasizing her loyalty to him. She is acknowledging his power and suggesting that she is dependent on his favor.

"...let my life be granted to my petition...": This is the heart of her plea. She is directly asking the king to save her from the impending genocide that Haman has planned. Her "petition" is for her own survival.

"...and my people to my request.": This extends the plea beyond herself. She is not only asking for her own life to be spared but also for the lives of all the Jewish people in the kingdom. Her "request" is for the salvation of her entire community.

In essence, the verse is a passionate and cleverly worded plea from Esther to the king, appealing to his mercy and sense of justice to save her and her people from certain death.

Key takeaways:

Esther is being strategic: She's not directly accusing the king but appealing to his favor.
She is connecting her fate to the fate of her people: This makes the issue larger than just her individual safety.
The verse is emotionally powerful: It highlights the dire situation and Esther's courage in risking her life to speak up.

The outcome of this request will determine the fate of the entire Jewish population in the Persian Empire. This makes this verse a critical turning point in the story of Esther.