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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
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.
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.
Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
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.
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.
Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.
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.
Esther 5 marks a pivotal point in the unfolding drama of the book of Esther. After a period of intense prayer and fasting, Esther bravely steps into the king's presence, initiating a chain of events orchestrated by God's unseen hand, ultimately leading to the deliverance of her people. This chapter is a masterclass in strategic planning, divine timing, and the subtle but powerful workings of God's providence.
Esther's Courageous Approach (Esther 5:1-2)
Esther's moment of truth arrives "on the third day" (Esther 5:1). This timeframe is significant, echoing the "three days" of fasting and prayer she and her people undertook (Esther 4:16). This highlights the vital connection between spiritual preparation and bold action. Esther, adorned in her royal best, ventures into the inner court, fully aware that she is breaking the law by approaching the king uninvited. King Ahasuerus was sitting on his royal throne (Esther 5:1), a symbol of his absolute power. Her life hangs in the balance. Yet, God is at work behind the scenes. Esther finds favor in the king's eyes, and he extends his golden scepter, granting her permission to approach (Esther 5:2). This seemingly small act is a monumental victory, demonstrating God's intervention and paving the way for Esther's plan to unfold.
An Invitation and a Delay (Esther 5:3-8)
Ahasuerus, impressed by Esther's courage and beauty, offers her anything she desires, even "up to half of the kingdom!" (Esther 5:3). This extravagant offer underscores the king's infatuation and sets the stage for Esther's strategic move. Instead of immediately revealing her request, Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet (Esther 5:4). During the meal, the king repeats his offer (Esther 5:6), building anticipation and suspense. However, Esther defers her request once more, inviting them to another banquet the following day (Esther 5:7-8).
Why the delay? Perhaps Esther needed more time to discern God's perfect timing, or maybe she sensed that the king was not yet fully receptive to her plea. Whatever the reason, this delay is not a sign of weakness or fear, but rather a demonstration of wisdom and reliance on God's guidance. The tension in the narrative is palpable, and the reader is left wondering what Esther will do next. The wheels of God’s providence were turning.
Haman's Pride and Rage (Esther 5:9-14)
Leaving the banquet, Haman is filled with pride and self-importance (Esther 5:9). He is the king's right-hand man, the queen favors him, and he enjoys immense wealth and power (Esther 5:11-12). Yet, his joy is poisoned by one thing: Mordecai's refusal to bow down to him (Esther 5:9). This seemingly insignificant act of defiance ignites Haman's rage and consumes his thoughts.
Despite his outward composure, Haman is deeply troubled. He confides in his wife and friends, boasting of his accomplishments but admitting that "all this means nothing to me" as long as Mordecai remains alive (Esther 5:13). His wife and friends offer a sinister solution: build a gallows and seek the king's permission to hang Mordecai (Esther 5:14). This plan appeals to Haman's pride and desire for revenge, and he immediately sets about constructing the gallows.
Haman's story serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of pride and the dangers of unchecked ambition. His obsession with power and recognition blinds him to the true value of life and leads him down a path of hatred and ultimately, destruction.
Esther 5 beautifully illustrates the power of prayer, the importance of courage, and the sovereignty of God. Even in the midst of political intrigue and personal ambition, God is working behind the scenes to protect His people and fulfill His purposes. The chapter leaves us on the edge of our seats, eagerly anticipating the next act in this dramatic story of deliverance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
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.
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.
Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
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.
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.
Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.
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.
Esther 5 marks a pivotal point in the unfolding drama of the book of Esther. After a period of intense prayer and fasting, Esther bravely steps into the king's presence, initiating a chain of events orchestrated by God's unseen hand, ultimately leading to the deliverance of her people. This chapter is a masterclass in strategic planning, divine timing, and the subtle but powerful workings of God's providence.
Esther's Courageous Approach (Esther 5:1-2)
Esther's moment of truth arrives "on the third day" (Esther 5:1). This timeframe is significant, echoing the "three days" of fasting and prayer she and her people undertook (Esther 4:16). This highlights the vital connection between spiritual preparation and bold action. Esther, adorned in her royal best, ventures into the inner court, fully aware that she is breaking the law by approaching the king uninvited. King Ahasuerus was sitting on his royal throne (Esther 5:1), a symbol of his absolute power. Her life hangs in the balance. Yet, God is at work behind the scenes. Esther finds favor in the king's eyes, and he extends his golden scepter, granting her permission to approach (Esther 5:2). This seemingly small act is a monumental victory, demonstrating God's intervention and paving the way for Esther's plan to unfold.
An Invitation and a Delay (Esther 5:3-8)
Ahasuerus, impressed by Esther's courage and beauty, offers her anything she desires, even "up to half of the kingdom!" (Esther 5:3). This extravagant offer underscores the king's infatuation and sets the stage for Esther's strategic move. Instead of immediately revealing her request, Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet (Esther 5:4). During the meal, the king repeats his offer (Esther 5:6), building anticipation and suspense. However, Esther defers her request once more, inviting them to another banquet the following day (Esther 5:7-8).
Why the delay? Perhaps Esther needed more time to discern God's perfect timing, or maybe she sensed that the king was not yet fully receptive to her plea. Whatever the reason, this delay is not a sign of weakness or fear, but rather a demonstration of wisdom and reliance on God's guidance. The tension in the narrative is palpable, and the reader is left wondering what Esther will do next. The wheels of God’s providence were turning.
Haman's Pride and Rage (Esther 5:9-14)
Leaving the banquet, Haman is filled with pride and self-importance (Esther 5:9). He is the king's right-hand man, the queen favors him, and he enjoys immense wealth and power (Esther 5:11-12). Yet, his joy is poisoned by one thing: Mordecai's refusal to bow down to him (Esther 5:9). This seemingly insignificant act of defiance ignites Haman's rage and consumes his thoughts.
Despite his outward composure, Haman is deeply troubled. He confides in his wife and friends, boasting of his accomplishments but admitting that "all this means nothing to me" as long as Mordecai remains alive (Esther 5:13). His wife and friends offer a sinister solution: build a gallows and seek the king's permission to hang Mordecai (Esther 5:14). This plan appeals to Haman's pride and desire for revenge, and he immediately sets about constructing the gallows.
Haman's story serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of pride and the dangers of unchecked ambition. His obsession with power and recognition blinds him to the true value of life and leads him down a path of hatred and ultimately, destruction.
Esther 5 beautifully illustrates the power of prayer, the importance of courage, and the sovereignty of God. Even in the midst of political intrigue and personal ambition, God is working behind the scenes to protect His people and fulfill His purposes. The chapter leaves us on the edge of our seats, eagerly anticipating the next act in this dramatic story of deliverance.