In this chapter, Esther follows through with approaching the king, as she promised Mordecai, in an attempt to save her people. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “Three days later, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court of the palace, just across from the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing there in the inner court, he welcomed her, holding out the gold scepter to her. So Esther approached and touched its tip.
Then the king asked her, “What do you want, Queen Esther? What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!” (Wow…look at the favor of God on Esther. Here she was thinking that she would be killed for not following protocol, and instead she was welcomed with love and favor.)
And Esther replied, “If it please Your Majesty, let the king and Haman come today to a banquet I have prepared for the king.”
The king turned to his attendants and said, “Tell Haman to come quickly to a banquet, as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to Esther’s banquet.
And while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, “Now tell me what you really want. What is your request? I will give it to you, even if it is half the kingdom!”
Esther replied, “This is my request and deepest wish. If Your Majesty is pleased with me and wants to grant my request, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then tomorrow I will explain what this is all about.”
Haman’s Plan to Kill Mordecai
What a happy man Haman was as he left the banquet! But when he saw Mordecai sitting at the gate, not standing up or trembling nervously before him, he was furious. However, he restrained himself and went on home. Then he gathered together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, and boasted to them about his great wealth and his many children. He bragged about the honors the king had given him and how he had been promoted over all the other officials and leaders.
Then Haman added, “And that’s not all! Queen Esther invited only me and the king himself to the banquet she prepared for us. And she has invited me to dine with her and the king again tomorrow!” Then he added, “But all this is meaningless as long as I see Mordecai the jew just sitting there at the palace gate.”
Side Note: In my bible, there is a side caption that states, “Hatred and bitterness are like weeds with long roots that grow in the heart and corrupt all of life. Haman was so consumed with hatred toward Mordecai that he could not even enjoy the honor of being invited to Esther’s party.” It goes on to say, “Bitterness focuses our attention on what or whom we don’t like or on what we don’t have. With this kind of focus in life, we become easily manipulated by every event or comment, however inconsequential. Don’t let hatred and its resulting bitterness rob you of a more positive, contented outlook on life. Make a conscious effort to shift your focus away from the negative events and people in your life.
The text continues, “So Haman’s wife, Zeresh, and all his friends suggested, “Set up a gallows that stands seventy-five feet tall, and in the morning ask the king to hang Mordecai on it. When this is done, you can go on your merry way to the banquet with the king.” This pleased Haman immensely, and he ordered the gallows set up.” (Esther 5) (Wow…that bitter weed is full grown!)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for protecting us and showing us favor. And help us, Lord, root out bitterness in our hearts. Oh what an awesome God we serve! We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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