Esther 5

Esther Risks It All

1 On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, directly across from the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne, facing the entrance.

2 When he saw Queen Esther standing there, she found favor in his eyes. He held out the gold scepter to her, so she came forward and touched the tip of it.

3 The king asked, “What is on your mind, Queen Esther, What do you want, Even if it is half the kingdom, it is yours.”

4 Esther said, “If it pleases the king, I would like you and Haman to come to a banquet I have prepared for you.”

The First Banquet

5 The king said, “Go get Haman quickly so we can do what Esther’s asking.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared.

6 While they were drinking wine, the king asked again, “So, Esther, what is your request, I will give you whatever you ask for, up to half my kingdom.”

7 Esther replied, “My request and my petition is this.

8 If I have found favor with you, king, and if it pleases you to grant my request, come with Haman to another banquet tomorrow, and I will answer your question there.”

Haman’s Pride and Rage

9 Haman left that day happy and feeling himself. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate not standing or showing him respect, his joy turned to rage.

10 Still, he held it in and went home. He brought together his friends and his wife Zeresh.

11 Haman bragged to them about how rich he was, how many sons he had, and how the king had honored him and elevated him above all the other officials.

12 He added, “And that is not all, Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she prepared. And tomorrow I am invited again with the king.”

13 “But all this means nothing as long as I keep seeing that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”

The Plot to Kill Mordecai

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said, “Build a pole seventy-five feet tall, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.” Haman liked the idea and had the pole built.