The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Esther 05
1 Now on the third day, Esther put on
her royal clothing and stood in the inner
court of the king’s house, next to the king’s
house. The king sat on his royal throne in
the royal house, next to the entrance of the
house.
2 When the king saw Esther the queen
standing in the court, she obtained favor
in his sight; and the king held out to Esther
the golden scepter that was in his hand. So
Esther came near and touched the top of
the scepter.
3 Then the king asked her, “What would
you like, queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half
of the kingdom.”
4 Esther said, “Ifit seems goodto the king,
let the king and Haman come today to the
banquet that I have prepared for him.”
5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman
quickly, so that it may be done as Esther
has said.” So the king and Haman came to
the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6 The king said to Esther at the banquet
of wine, “What is your petition? It shall
be granted you. What is your request?
Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be
performed.”
7 Then Esther answered and said, “My
petition and my request is this.
8 If I have found favor in the sight of
the king, and if it pleases the king to grant
my petition and to perform my request, let
the king and Haman come to the banquet
that I will prepare for them, and I will do
tomorrow as the king has said.”
9 Then Haman went out that day joyful
and glad of heart, but when Haman saw
Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he didn’t
stand up nor move for him, he was filled
with wrath against Mordecai.
10 Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home. There, he sent and
called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.
11 Haman recounted to them the glory of
his riches, the multitude of his children, all
the things in which the king had promoted
him, and how he had advanced him above
the princes and servants of the king.
12 Haman also said, “Yes, Esther the
queen let no man come in with the king
to the banquet that she had prepared but
myself; and tomorrow I am also invited by
her together with the king.
13 Yet allthis availsmenothing, so long as
I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s
gate.”
14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his
friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made
fifty cubits†high, and inthemorning speak
to the king about hanging Mordecai on it.
Then go in merrily with the king to the
banquet.” This pleased Haman, so he had
the gallows made.