CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Esther 5
Chapter 5 of 10
Chapter Overview
What happens in Esther 5
Esther bravely approaches the king and is received with favor. She invites the king and Haman to a banquet, then a second one. Meanwhile, Haman's hatred for Mordecai grows, and he builds a tall gallows to hang him on.
Scripture
Esther 5
Esther Approaches the King
Study note
After three days of fasting, Esther put on her royal robes and entered the inner court. By approaching the king uninvited, she was risking her life. The king's extension of the golden scepter meant she was welcome and would not be killed.
1 Three days later, Esther dressed in her royal robes and stood in the inner courtyard of the king's palace, facing the throne room. The king was seated on his royal throne inside the hall, looking toward the entrance. Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
2 The moment the king spotted Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, his face softened with favor toward her. He stretched out the golden scepter in her direction. Esther walked forward and touched the tip of it. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.
3 The king asked, "What is it, Queen Esther? What do you want? Name it -- even if it is half my kingdom, it is yours." Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.
4 Esther said, "If it pleases the king, please come to a dinner today. I made it just for you and Haman." And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.
5 The king immediately ordered, "Get Haman over here right away so we can accept Esther's invitation." So the king and Haman went to the dinner Esther had prepared. Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
The First Banquet
Study note
Rather than making her request right away, Esther wisely invited the king and Haman to a private banquet. Even at the first banquet, she delayed her request by inviting them to a second one, building suspense and trust.
6 During the meal, over wine, the king said to Esther, "Now tell me -- what is your request? It is yours. What do you want? Even half the kingdom, and it is done." And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of 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.
7 Esther replied, "My request is this:" Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
8 "If I have found favor with the king, and if it would please the king to grant what I ask, then please -- let the king and Haman come to another dinner I will prepare for them tomorrow. At that dinner, I will give the king my full answer." If I have found favour 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 to morrow as the king hath said.
Haman's Pride and Rage
Study note
Haman left the banquet in high spirits, but his joy was ruined by Mordecai's refusal to bow. His wife Zeresh and friends suggested building a gallows 75 feet tall (fifty cubits) -- tall enough to be seen throughout the city as a public statement of power.
9 Haman left that evening feeling very happy and proud. But then he passed Mordecai at the king's gate. Mordecai would not stand up or even move for him. Haman was boiling with anger. Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
10 Somehow Haman kept his anger in check until he got home. Then he gathered his friends and his wife Zeresh together. Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
11 Haman bragged on and on about his huge wealth and his many sons. He talked about all the ways the king had promoted him. The king had raised him above every other official and servant. And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
12 Then Haman added, "And there is more! Queen Esther did not invite anyone except me to join the king at her private dinner. And tomorrow she has invited me to dine with the king again!" Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.
13 "But none of it makes me happy as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting there at the king's gate." Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, "Build a set of gallows seventy-five feet tall. First thing tomorrow morning, ask the king's permission to hang Mordecai on it. Then you can go to the dinner in a great mood." Haman loved the idea and had the gallows constructed right away. Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.
Key Themes
Themes in Esther 5
Strategic patience in pursuing God's purposesFavor before authority figuresThe blinding nature of prideWisdom in timing — not every moment is the right moment
Apply This Today
Living Esther 5
Esther did not blurt out her request immediately — she waited for the right moment and prepared the ground. Wisdom involves not just knowing what to do, but when to do it. Patience and strategy are not a lack of faith; they are expressions of it.
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