Esther 5:1-8

1 Now it happened on the third day, that Ester put on her royal clothing, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, over against the entrance of the house.

2 It was so, when the king saw Ester the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight; and the king held out to Ester the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Ester drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.

3 Then said the king to her, What will you, queen Ester? and what is your request? it shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom.

4 Ester said, If it seem good to the king, let the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.

5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that it may be done as Ester has said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Ester had prepared.

6 The king said to Ester at the banquet of wine, What is your petition? and it shall be granted you: and what is your request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

7 Then answered Ester, and said, My petition and my request is:

8 if I have found favor 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 tomorrow as the king has said.

Esther 5:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ESTHER 5

This chapter gives an account of Esther's going in to the king, and of his holding out the golden sceptre to her, on which she invited him and Haman to a banquet of wine that day, and to another the next day, Es 5:1-8, which highly delighted Haman; and he went to his house and family with great joy, and yet chagrined at Mordecai's not bowing to him; wherefore, at the advice of his wife and friends, he erected a gallows to hang him upon, proposing to get a grant for it from the king the next day, Es 5:9-14.