A Bold Step and a Proud Enemy (Esther 5:1-14)
In the last part of Esther’s story, she made a courageous decision: she would go to the king to speak up for her people, even though it could cost her life. In this chapter, we see how Esther carries out her plan—and how Haman’s pride starts to grow dangerously out of control.
Esther Risks Her Life
Esther dresses in her royal clothes and walks into the inner court of the king’s palace. This was a big risk. In those days, no one was allowed to approach the king without being invited. If the king didn’t hold out his golden scepter, the person could be killed.
But the king welcomes her. He’s happy to see her and holds out the golden scepter, sparing her life. Then he asks, “What do you want, Queen Esther? I will give it to you—even up to half my kingdom.”
A Smart Invitation
Instead of telling the king everything right away, Esther uses wisdom. She invites the king and Haman to a special banquet she has prepared. They both come, and during the meal, the king asks again what she really wants.
Surprisingly, Esther still doesn’t tell him. Instead, she invites both of them to another banquet the next day. She says she’ll tell the king her request then.
Esther is carefully setting the stage, choosing just the right moment.
Haman’s Pride Turns to Anger
Haman leaves the first banquet feeling very pleased with himself. He thinks he’s important—after all, he was invited to eat with the king and queen! But his good mood disappears the moment he sees Mordecai at the palace gate. Once again, Mordecai refuses to bow to him.
Haman is furious, but he tries to stay calm for now. When he gets home, he gathers his wife and friends and begins to brag. He talks about his wealth, his many sons, and the great honor he’s received. He tells them how proud he is to have been the only one invited to eat with the king and queen.
But even with all that, Haman says he can’t be happy as long as Mordecai is still alive.
A Terrible Idea
Haman’s wife and friends suggest he deal with Mordecai right away. They tell him to set up a tall wooden pole and ask the king for permission to have Mordecai killed on it.
Haman loves this idea and orders the pole to be built.
A Growing Storm
In this chapter, Esther shows great courage and patience as she begins to speak up for her people. At the same time, Haman’s pride and hatred grow stronger. He thinks he’s in control—but he doesn’t know that things are about to take a very unexpected turn.
This part of the story reminds us that real strength often shows itself through wisdom and patience. And sometimes, those who seem powerful may not be as secure as they think.
Esther 5:1-14 (WEB)
5:1 Now on the third day, Esther put on her royal clothing and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, next to the king’s house. The king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, next to the entrance of the house. 2 When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.3 Then the king asked her, “What would you like, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom.”4 Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that it may be done as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.6 The king said to Esther at the banquet of wine, “What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”7 Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this. 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and I will do tomorrow as the king has said.”9 Then Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart, but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he didn’t stand up nor move for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home. There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife. 11 Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the multitude of his children, all the things in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.12 Haman also said, “Yes, Esther the queen let no man come in with the king to the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and tomorrow I am also invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on it. Then go in merrily with the king to the banquet.” This pleased Haman, so he had the gallows made.