*Esther 5:1-14
Despite the risk, Esther holds a banquet for King Ahasuerus and Haman, inviting them both on the same day.
- Esther’s Brave Decision:
- Esther puts aside her fear and bravely decides to approach King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) without being summoned, risking her life in order to intercede for her people.
- She dresses in her royal robes and stands in the inner court of the king’s palace, waiting for the king to extend his golden scepter to her, a sign of his approval and permission to approach him.
- The King’s Favor:
- King Ahasuerus sees Esther standing in the court and is pleased with her appearance, extending his golden scepter to her as a gesture of favor and acceptance.
- Esther approaches the king and touches the top of the scepter, indicating her acceptance of his invitation and her desire to speak with him.
- Esther’s Request:
- King Ahasuerus asks Esther what her request is and promises to grant it, even up to half of his kingdom, showing his willingness to fulfill her desires.
- Esther invites the king and Haman, his trusted adviser, to a banquet she has prepared for them, intending to reveal her request to the king during the banquet.
- Haman’s Pride:
- Haman is filled with pride and arrogance at being invited to the banquet by Queen Esther, considering himself to be highly favored and honored by the king and queen.
- He boasts to his friends and family about his great wealth, his numerous sons, and his elevated position in the king’s court, reveling in his perceived superiority over others.
- Mordecai’s Refusal to Bow:
- Mordecai, however, refuses to bow down or pay homage to Haman, standing firm in his loyalty to God and his refusal to worship any man as a god.
- Haman becomes enraged when he sees Mordecai’s defiance and is unable to enjoy his own success and honor because of Mordecai’s refusal to show him respect.
- Haman’s Vengeful Plot:
- Haman’s wife Zeresh and his friends suggest that he build a gallows seventy-five feet high and ask the king for permission to hang Mordecai on it the next morning, intending to eliminate his perceived enemy.
- Haman is pleased with this plan and has the gallows built in preparation for carrying out his vengeful plot against Mordecai.
5:1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
5:2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
5:3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
5:4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
5:5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
5:6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.
5:7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is; 5:8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.
5:9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
5:10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
5:11 And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
5:12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
5:13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.
5:14 Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.