ESTHER'S DELIBERATE MOVE AFTER PRAYER

Esther 5:1-14 / Keywords 5:2

When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Esther’s Request to the King

5:1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

4 “If it pleases the king,” replied Esther, “let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.”

5 “Bring Haman at once,” the king said, “so that we may do what Esther asks.”

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, “Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.”

7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”

Haman’s Rage Against Mordecai

9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits,[a] and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

Footnotes

a. Esther 5:14 That is, about 75 feet or about 23 meters

1. The beginning of chapter 5 implies that Esther had been praying with her fellow Jews, wearing sackcloth, and fasting for three days. On the last day, she dressed in her royal robes and went to the king's hall. The king was pleased with the sight of Esther and immediately gave his royal signal so she could come to him (2).

 

2. When Esther decided to take a bold leap of faith and prayed desperately, the Lord moved the king's heart so that the law and custom did not matter. Esther asked the king to come to her banquet with Haman. And at the banquet, she asked them to attend another banquet the following day. When Esther took time to fast and pray, she was prepared to stand before the king and find the wisdom to gain the king's attention to hear her request.

 

3. Haman was in a pompous mood after enjoying the queen's banquet. But his rage grew even more at the sight of Mordecai, who did not seem to fear him. After consulting his wife and friends to relieve his anger, Haman set a pole to hang Mordecai. At the time, Haman seemed like a great threat, but in spiritual reality, he was rather the one to be pitied, with his heart hardened without hope for the mercy of the Lord (Ex 9:12).

 

Prayer Father, thank you for allowing us to come and pray in times of distress. Guide us with your wisdom as we humbly come to you.

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