On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
And while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
Esther 6 marks a pivotal turning point in the narrative, showcasing God's unseen hand orchestrating events to deliver His people. It's a chapter filled with irony, suspense, and the ultimate reversal of fortunes, reminding us that even in our darkest hours, God is at work.
A Sleepless Night and a Forgotten Deed (Esther 6:1-3)
The chapter opens with King Ahasuerus unable to sleep after Queen Esther's first banquet (Esther 6:1). While Haman is consumed with his plot to eliminate Mordecai, the king's insomnia becomes the instrument of divine intervention. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that "A king’s heart is like channeled water in the LORD’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses." God knows how to keep people awake at night in order to accomplish his sovereign program. The king, seeking to lull himself to sleep, orders the book of daily records to be read to him (Esther 6:1).
In a seemingly random turn, the record of Mordecai's past service in uncovering a plot to assassinate the king is brought to his attention (Esther 6:2). This event, long forgotten, now resurfaces at the most opportune moment. It highlights the meticulous providence of God, where nothing is truly coincidental. There are no coincidences. Luck and sovereignty don’t mix. Eight years before this moment, Queen Vashti had snubbed King Ahasuerus. Events leading to this moment had all started then. God weaves a whole series of people and events together in history to achieve his kingdom goals.
The king, realizing that Mordecai had never been rewarded for his loyalty, inquires about what honor or recognition had been bestowed upon him (Esther 6:3). The answer is a stark and telling, "Nothing." This oversight sets the stage for the dramatic events that are about to unfold.
Haman's Pride and the King's Question (Esther 6:4-9)
Just as the king is pondering how to honor Mordecai, Haman arrives in the outer court with the express purpose of seeking permission to hang Mordecai (Esther 6:4). The timing is impeccable. The king immediately summons Haman (Esther 6:5).
Before Haman can voice his malicious intent, the king poses a question: "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?" (Esther 6:6). Blinded by his own ego and convinced that he is the object of the king's favor, Haman proposes an extravagant display of honor, including royal robes, a royal horse, and a high-ranking official leading him through the city proclaiming the king's pleasure (Esther 6:7-9). He envisions himself elevated to a position of great prominence and influence. Such actions would publicly position him for a leadership role in the kingdom of Persia.
A Stunning Reversal (Esther 6:10-11)
To Haman's utter dismay, the king approves of his suggestion and commands him to carry out these honors, not for himself, but for Mordecai the Jew (Esther 6:10). The humiliation is complete. Haman, the man who sought Mordecai's demise, is now forced to publicly exalt him.
Imagine the look on Haman’s face at that moment. In an instant, his fortunes had changed. Everything good he had intended for himself was done to Mordecai, his nemesis, instead. And Haman himself had to lead around the Jewish man whom he hated, as he shouted to the crowds, This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor (Esther 6:11). This scene is a powerful reminder that “with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:26). When circumstances look their bleakest, God can connect what doesn’t seem connectable. He can cause roads to intersect that look like they could never meet.
Shame and Foreboding (Esther 6:12-14)
Haman returns home, crushed and humiliated, his dreams of power and revenge turned to ashes (Esther 6:12). He had just played cheerleader to the man who had refused to bow to him. Mordecai had refused to honor Haman, and now Haman was forced to honor Mordecai. The day of Mordecai’s execution turned out to be the day of his exaltation. And all of this happened because while we sleep, God is at work (see Ps 121:4).
His wife and advisors, recognizing the gravity of the situation, offer him little comfort. They perceive this event as a sign of his impending downfall, acknowledging Mordecai's Jewish identity as a factor in his seemingly unstoppable rise (Esther 6:13). Your downfall is certain (Esther 6:13).
As Haman grapples with the unfolding disaster, he is abruptly summoned to Queen Esther's second banquet (Esther 6:14). This is where his fate will be sealed, and the full extent of God's plan will be revealed.
Esther 6 serves as a powerful illustration of God's sovereignty and His ability to turn the tables on those who oppose His people. It encourages us to trust in His timing and His providential care, even when we cannot see His hand at work. It reminds us that God is always working behind the scenes, orchestrating events to bring about His purposes and to ultimately deliver His faithful followers.
On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.
And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus.
And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king’s servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.
And the king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king’s house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.
And the king’s servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.
So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself?
And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour,
Let the royal apparel be brought which the king useth to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head:
And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king’s gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.
Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
And Mordecai came again to the king’s gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered.
And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.
And while they were yet talking with him, came the king’s chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.
Esther 6 marks a pivotal turning point in the narrative, showcasing God's unseen hand orchestrating events to deliver His people. It's a chapter filled with irony, suspense, and the ultimate reversal of fortunes, reminding us that even in our darkest hours, God is at work.
A Sleepless Night and a Forgotten Deed (Esther 6:1-3)
The chapter opens with King Ahasuerus unable to sleep after Queen Esther's first banquet (Esther 6:1). While Haman is consumed with his plot to eliminate Mordecai, the king's insomnia becomes the instrument of divine intervention. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that "A king’s heart is like channeled water in the LORD’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses." God knows how to keep people awake at night in order to accomplish his sovereign program. The king, seeking to lull himself to sleep, orders the book of daily records to be read to him (Esther 6:1).
In a seemingly random turn, the record of Mordecai's past service in uncovering a plot to assassinate the king is brought to his attention (Esther 6:2). This event, long forgotten, now resurfaces at the most opportune moment. It highlights the meticulous providence of God, where nothing is truly coincidental. There are no coincidences. Luck and sovereignty don’t mix. Eight years before this moment, Queen Vashti had snubbed King Ahasuerus. Events leading to this moment had all started then. God weaves a whole series of people and events together in history to achieve his kingdom goals.
The king, realizing that Mordecai had never been rewarded for his loyalty, inquires about what honor or recognition had been bestowed upon him (Esther 6:3). The answer is a stark and telling, "Nothing." This oversight sets the stage for the dramatic events that are about to unfold.
Haman's Pride and the King's Question (Esther 6:4-9)
Just as the king is pondering how to honor Mordecai, Haman arrives in the outer court with the express purpose of seeking permission to hang Mordecai (Esther 6:4). The timing is impeccable. The king immediately summons Haman (Esther 6:5).
Before Haman can voice his malicious intent, the king poses a question: "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?" (Esther 6:6). Blinded by his own ego and convinced that he is the object of the king's favor, Haman proposes an extravagant display of honor, including royal robes, a royal horse, and a high-ranking official leading him through the city proclaiming the king's pleasure (Esther 6:7-9). He envisions himself elevated to a position of great prominence and influence. Such actions would publicly position him for a leadership role in the kingdom of Persia.
A Stunning Reversal (Esther 6:10-11)
To Haman's utter dismay, the king approves of his suggestion and commands him to carry out these honors, not for himself, but for Mordecai the Jew (Esther 6:10). The humiliation is complete. Haman, the man who sought Mordecai's demise, is now forced to publicly exalt him.
Imagine the look on Haman’s face at that moment. In an instant, his fortunes had changed. Everything good he had intended for himself was done to Mordecai, his nemesis, instead. And Haman himself had to lead around the Jewish man whom he hated, as he shouted to the crowds, This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor (Esther 6:11). This scene is a powerful reminder that “with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:26). When circumstances look their bleakest, God can connect what doesn’t seem connectable. He can cause roads to intersect that look like they could never meet.
Shame and Foreboding (Esther 6:12-14)
Haman returns home, crushed and humiliated, his dreams of power and revenge turned to ashes (Esther 6:12). He had just played cheerleader to the man who had refused to bow to him. Mordecai had refused to honor Haman, and now Haman was forced to honor Mordecai. The day of Mordecai’s execution turned out to be the day of his exaltation. And all of this happened because while we sleep, God is at work (see Ps 121:4).
His wife and advisors, recognizing the gravity of the situation, offer him little comfort. They perceive this event as a sign of his impending downfall, acknowledging Mordecai's Jewish identity as a factor in his seemingly unstoppable rise (Esther 6:13). Your downfall is certain (Esther 6:13).
As Haman grapples with the unfolding disaster, he is abruptly summoned to Queen Esther's second banquet (Esther 6:14). This is where his fate will be sealed, and the full extent of God's plan will be revealed.
Esther 6 serves as a powerful illustration of God's sovereignty and His ability to turn the tables on those who oppose His people. It encourages us to trust in His timing and His providential care, even when we cannot see His hand at work. It reminds us that God is always working behind the scenes, orchestrating events to bring about His purposes and to ultimately deliver His faithful followers.