Esther 5:6

6 As they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, "Now, what are you asking for? I will give it to you. What is it you want? I will give you as much as half of my kingdom."

Esther 5:6 Meaning and Commentary

Esther 5:6

And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine
For such it seems the banquet was she prepared; it was not properly a meal, neither dinner nor supper, but a drinking bout; or, however, it was at that part of the banquet in which wine was drank that the king accosted Esther, when he began to be cheerful with it. The Persians at their meals had two courses: the first consisted of meats at which they drank water, the other of fruits, when they drank wine; Aelianus ^F9 says, the Persians, after they are filled with food, indulge themselves in drinking wine:

what is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy
request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed;
by which it appears he retained the same affection for Esther, and the same disposition to show her kindness. See ( Esther 5:3 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Var. Hist. l. 12. c. 1.

Esther 5:6 In-Context

4 Esther answered, "My king, if it pleases you, come today with Haman to a banquet that I have prepared for him."

5 Then the king said, "Bring Haman quickly so we may do what Esther asks." So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared for them.

6 As they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther, "Now, what are you asking for? I will give it to you. What is it you want? I will give you as much as half of my kingdom."

7 Esther answered, "This is what I want and what I ask for.

8 My king, if you are pleased with me and if it pleases you, give me what I ask for and do what I want. Come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then I will answer your question about what I want."