Esther 5
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CHAPTER 5
Esther’s Request to the King (5:1–8)
1–3 On the third day—after the fasting was completed—Esther went to the king. God caused Xerxes to respond favorably to Esther’s approach (Proverbs 21:1), and he extended to her the gold scepter (see Esther 4:11). Then he asked her what she wanted; he knew that she wouldn’t have risked her life unless there was something important on her mind. Xerxes offered to give her anything she asked for—up to half the kingdom (verse 3). This was a figure of speech indicating generosity, and was not meant to be taken literally (Mark 6:23).
4–8 Esther did not give an answer to the king; instead, she invited him and Haman to a banquet she had already prepared. During the banquet Xerxes again asked Esther about her request, and again she put off answering. But she invited the king and Haman to a second banquet the very next day, at which time she promised to make her request known to the king (verse 8).
Why did Esther put off telling the king what her real request was? She wanted Haman present when she made her request; he would not dare contradict her in front of the king. But why she delayed until the second banquet to make her request is less clear. Certainly God was guiding her—even if she was not aware of it. But this further delay resulted in Mordecai’s life being placed in jeopardy (see verse 14). What God was planning to do about that will be revealed in the next chapter.
Haman’s Rage Against Mordecai (5:9–14)
9–14 Haman felt happy that he had been the only other person invited with Xerxes to Esther’s banquets. When he spoke to his wife and friends, he began to boast of his wealth and influence (Proverbs 16:18). But he couldn’t enjoy any of it because of one Jew who refused to kneel down to him (verse 13).
Haman’s wife and friends suggested a solution to his dissatisfaction: get rid of the Jew Mordecai! They proposed he be hanged on a gallows—one built extra high to add to Haman’s pleasure. If Mordecai was hanged the very next morning, then Haman would doubly enjoy his second banquet with Esther and Xerxes!