So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.
Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.
Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?
And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
Esther 7 marks a pivotal turning point in the book of Esther, showcasing God's providential intervention and the dramatic downfall of Haman. This chapter reveals the courage of Esther, the king's volatile temper, and the ultimate triumph of justice. Let's delve into the details of this significant chapter.
The Second Feast and Esther's Plea (Esther 7:1-4)
Esther 7:1-2 recounts the second banquet Esther held for King Ahasuerus and Haman. Unlike the previous feast, Haman's enjoyment was likely diminished, perhaps still reeling from the morning's public humiliation orchestrated by Mordecai. Before Haman could even enjoy the meal, the king pressed Esther to reveal her request.
Esther 7:3-4 unveils Esther's courageous move. She finally speaks up, presenting her plea to the king. It's crucial to recognize that God's timing is perfect. Perhaps Esther herself didn't fully understand her hesitation the previous day, but as with Paul being restrained by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-7), Esther's announcement was divinely paused. This allowed God to orchestrate the final details. Esther's "spiritual antennae" were tuned to divine leading. Are we equally attentive to heaven's signals in our own lives?
Esther's passionate plea resonates deeply: "Spare my life and spare my people... For my people and I have been sold to destruction, death, and extermination" (Esther 7:3-4). This revelation must have been shocking to the king, and even more devastating to Haman.
Accusation and the King's Fury (Esther 7:5-7)
In Esther 7:5, the king demands to know who would dare devise such a scheme. Haman, undoubtedly looking for an escape, is about to face the consequences of his actions. Esther's response is direct and damning: "The adversary and enemy is this evil Haman" (Esther 7:6). In an instant, Haman's status plummets from favored guest to public enemy number one, and he is understandably terrified.
Esther 7:7 describes the king's furious reaction. Realizing that Haman had manipulated him into authorizing the destruction of his own queen, Ahasuerus storms out to the palace garden in anger. Haman, sensing the impending doom, desperately begs Queen Esther for his life.
Misinterpretation and Haman's Fate (Esther 7:8-10)
Upon his return, as described in Esther 7:8, the king misinterprets Haman's actions, believing he is attempting to assault Esther. This misunderstanding seals Haman's fate. Before Haman can even explain, the king's servants cover his face, signifying his condemnation. The divine Judge is passing sentence, and no defense is possible.
Esther 7:9 introduces another layer of irony. One of the king's eunuchs informs him about the gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai, the very man who saved the king's life. God's providential orchestration is complete. The king's command is swift: "Hang [Haman] on it."
Esther 7:10 concludes the chapter with a powerful display of divine reversal. Haman is hanged on the very gallows he built for Mordecai. This outcome is not mere coincidence; it's a testament to God's justice and sovereignty. The apparent power of God's enemies is ultimately meaningless. When God intervenes, their wicked plans turn against them. As Proverbs 28:10 states, "The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit."
The events of Esther 7 serve as a potent reminder that God is in control, even when circumstances seem bleak. He can turn the tables on our enemies and bring about justice in unexpected ways. We are encouraged to trust in His perfect timing and to remain faithful, knowing that He will ultimately prevail.
So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.
Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage.
Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?
And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.
And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.
So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.
Esther 7 marks a pivotal turning point in the book of Esther, showcasing God's providential intervention and the dramatic downfall of Haman. This chapter reveals the courage of Esther, the king's volatile temper, and the ultimate triumph of justice. Let's delve into the details of this significant chapter.
The Second Feast and Esther's Plea (Esther 7:1-4)
Esther 7:1-2 recounts the second banquet Esther held for King Ahasuerus and Haman. Unlike the previous feast, Haman's enjoyment was likely diminished, perhaps still reeling from the morning's public humiliation orchestrated by Mordecai. Before Haman could even enjoy the meal, the king pressed Esther to reveal her request.
Esther 7:3-4 unveils Esther's courageous move. She finally speaks up, presenting her plea to the king. It's crucial to recognize that God's timing is perfect. Perhaps Esther herself didn't fully understand her hesitation the previous day, but as with Paul being restrained by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6-7), Esther's announcement was divinely paused. This allowed God to orchestrate the final details. Esther's "spiritual antennae" were tuned to divine leading. Are we equally attentive to heaven's signals in our own lives?
Esther's passionate plea resonates deeply: "Spare my life and spare my people... For my people and I have been sold to destruction, death, and extermination" (Esther 7:3-4). This revelation must have been shocking to the king, and even more devastating to Haman.
Accusation and the King's Fury (Esther 7:5-7)
In Esther 7:5, the king demands to know who would dare devise such a scheme. Haman, undoubtedly looking for an escape, is about to face the consequences of his actions. Esther's response is direct and damning: "The adversary and enemy is this evil Haman" (Esther 7:6). In an instant, Haman's status plummets from favored guest to public enemy number one, and he is understandably terrified.
Esther 7:7 describes the king's furious reaction. Realizing that Haman had manipulated him into authorizing the destruction of his own queen, Ahasuerus storms out to the palace garden in anger. Haman, sensing the impending doom, desperately begs Queen Esther for his life.
Misinterpretation and Haman's Fate (Esther 7:8-10)
Upon his return, as described in Esther 7:8, the king misinterprets Haman's actions, believing he is attempting to assault Esther. This misunderstanding seals Haman's fate. Before Haman can even explain, the king's servants cover his face, signifying his condemnation. The divine Judge is passing sentence, and no defense is possible.
Esther 7:9 introduces another layer of irony. One of the king's eunuchs informs him about the gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai, the very man who saved the king's life. God's providential orchestration is complete. The king's command is swift: "Hang [Haman] on it."
Esther 7:10 concludes the chapter with a powerful display of divine reversal. Haman is hanged on the very gallows he built for Mordecai. This outcome is not mere coincidence; it's a testament to God's justice and sovereignty. The apparent power of God's enemies is ultimately meaningless. When God intervenes, their wicked plans turn against them. As Proverbs 28:10 states, "The one who leads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit."
The events of Esther 7 serve as a potent reminder that God is in control, even when circumstances seem bleak. He can turn the tables on our enemies and bring about justice in unexpected ways. We are encouraged to trust in His perfect timing and to remain faithful, knowing that He will ultimately prevail.