Ester 6

1 El rey honra a Mardoqueo
Esa noche el rey no podía dormir, entonces ordenó a un asistente que le trajera el libro de la historia de su reino para que se lo leyeran.

2 En los registros descubrió el relato de cuando Mardoqueo informó del complot que Bigtana y Teres, dos de los eunucos que cuidaban la puerta de las habitaciones privadas del rey, habían tramado para asesinar al rey Jerjes.

3 —¿Qué recompensa o reconocimiento le dimos a Mardoqueo por este acto? —preguntó el rey.
Sus asistentes contestaron:
—Nunca se ha hecho nada.

4 —¿Quién está en el patio exterior? —preguntó el rey.
Resulta que Amán acababa de llegar al patio exterior del palacio para pedirle al rey que atravesara a Mardoqueo en el poste que había preparado.

5 Entonces los asistentes contestaron al rey:
—Es Amán el que está en el patio.
—Háganlo pasar —ordenó el rey.

6 Entonces Amán entró, y el rey dijo:
—¿Qué debo hacer para honrar a un hombre que verdaderamente me agrada?
Amán pensó para sí: «¿A quién querría honrar el rey más que a mí?».

7 Así que contestó:
—Si el rey desea honrar a alguien,

8 debería sacar uno de los mantos reales que haya usado el rey y también un caballo que el propio rey haya montado, uno que tenga un emblema real en la frente.

9 Que el manto y el caballo sean entregados a uno de los funcionarios más nobles del rey y que esta persona se asegure de que vistan con el manto real al hombre a quien el rey quiere honrar y lo paseen por la plaza de la ciudad en el caballo del rey. Durante el paseo, que el funcionario anuncie a viva voz: “¡Esto es lo que el rey hace a quien él quiere honrar!”.

10 —¡Perfecto! —le dijo el rey a Amán—. ¡Rápido! Lleva mi manto y mi caballo, y haz todo lo que has dicho con Mardoqueo, el judío que se sienta a la puerta del palacio. ¡No pierdas ni un detalle de lo que has sugerido!

11 Entonces Amán tomó el manto y se lo puso a Mardoqueo, lo hizo montar el caballo del rey, y lo paseó por la plaza de la ciudad, gritando: «¡Esto es lo que el rey hace a quien él quiere honrar!».

12 Después Mardoqueo regresó a la puerta del palacio, mientras que Amán se apresuró a volver a su casa desalentado y totalmente humillado.

13 Cuando Amán le contó a su esposa, Zeres, y a todos sus amigos lo que había sucedido, sus sabios consejeros y su esposa dijeron: «Ya que Mardoqueo —este hombre que te ha humillado— es de origen judío, jamás tendrás éxito con tus planes contra él. Será tu ruina seguir oponiéndote a él».

14 Mientras estaban hablando, llegaron los eunucos del rey y enseguida se llevaron a Amán al banquete que Ester había preparado.

Ester 6 Commentary

Chapter 6

Providence recommends Mordecai to the king's favour. (1-3) Haman's counsel honours Mordecai. (4-11) Haman's friends tell him of his danger. (12-14)

Verses 1-3 The providence of God rules over the smallest concerns of men. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without him. Trace the steps which Providence took towards the advancement of Mordecai. The king could not sleep when Providence had a design to serve, in keeping him awake. We read of no illness that broke his sleep, but God, whose gift sleep is, withheld it from him. He who commanded a hundred and twenty-seven provinces, could not command one hour's sleep.

Verses 4-11 See how men's pride deceives them. The deceitfulness of our own hearts appears in nothing more than in the conceit we have of ourselves and our own performances: against which we should constantly watch and pray. Haman thought the king loved and valued no one but himself, but he was deceived. We should suspect that the esteem which others profess for us, is not so great as it seems to be, that we may not think too well of ourselves, nor trust too much in others. How Haman is struck, when the king bids him do honour to Mordecai the Jew, the very man whom he hated above all men, whose ruin he was now designing!

Verses 12-14 Mordecai was not puffed up with his honours, he returned to his place and the duty of it. Honour is well bestowed on those that do not think themselves above their business. But Haman could not bear it. What harm had it done him? But that will break a proud man's heart, which will not break a humble man's sleep. His doom was, out of this event, read to him by his wife and his friends. They plainly confessed that the Jews, though scattered through the nations, were special objects of Divine care. Miserable comforters are they all; they did not advise Haman to repent, but foretold his fate as unavoidable. The wisdom of God is seen, in timing the means of his church's deliverance, so as to manifest his own glory.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO ESTHER 6

Ahasuerus, not being able to sleep in the night, ordered the book of records to be brought and read to him, where a fact of Mordecai's was registered, and, upon inquiry, it appeared that nothing had been done to him for it, Es 6:1-3 and Haman being in the outward court, was ordered in, with whom the king consulted what should be done to the man the king delighted to honour; to which Haman gave answer, and was bid to do as he said, Es 6:4-10, which he did, but went home after it confounded and sorrowful, and told his mournful case to his wife and friends, who plainly foresaw his downfall, Es 6:11-14.