Esther 5

King James Version

Full text for Esther Chapter 5

1¶ 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.

2And 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.

3Then 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.

4And 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.

5Then 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.

6And 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.

7Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request [is];

8If 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.

9¶ 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.

10Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

11And 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.

12Haman 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.

13Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

14Then 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Queen Esther, risking her life, approached King Ahasuerus and found favour, prompting him to offer her up to half his kingdom. Instead of making her request immediately, she invited the king and Haman to a banquet, and then to a second one the following day. Haman, filled with pride from the king's favour and Esther's invitation, became enraged by Mordecai's refusal to bow, leading him to plan Mordecai's execution on a newly constructed gallows.

Medium Summary

On the third day, Queen Esther, arrayed in royal apparel, bravely entered the king's inner court without being summoned, a transgression punishable by death. King Ahasuerus extended his golden sceptre, signifying her acceptance and granting her favour, and inquired of her petition, offering up to half his kingdom. Esther, however, deferred her request, inviting the king and Haman to a banquet that day, and then to a second banquet the following day. Haman departed the first banquet joyful, but his mood soured upon encountering Mordecai, who refused to acknowledge him, filling Haman with indignation. Returning home, Haman boasted of his great wealth, numerous children, and high promotion by the king, noting his exclusive invitation to Esther's banquets. Yet, he confessed that all his prosperity meant nothing while Mordecai the Jew remained at the king's gate. His wife Zeresh and his friends advised him to construct a fifty-cubit gallows and seek the king's permission to hang Mordecai upon it before the next banquet, a plan which pleased Haman, and he proceeded with its construction.

Long Summary

On the third day of her fast, Queen Esther, adorned in her royal apparel, courageously presented herself in the inner court of King Ahasuerus's palace, an act that could result in death if not sanctioned by the king. Upon seeing her, the king extended his golden sceptre, a sign of mercy and acceptance, allowing Esther to approach and touch its tip. The king then inquired of her petition, promising to grant her request, even to the extent of half his kingdom. Esther, rather than revealing her true petition, subtly invited the king and Haman to a banquet she had prepared for that very day. The king readily agreed, and Haman was summoned to attend. During the banquet of wine, the king reiterated his generous offer, pressing Esther to state her request. Again, Esther deferred, instead inviting both the king and Haman to a second banquet the following day, promising to make her petition known at that time. Haman departed the first banquet filled with joy and a glad heart, elated by his unique favour with the queen and king. However, his joy quickly turned to bitter indignation when he encountered Mordecai the Jew at the king's gate, who neither stood nor moved for him. Upon returning home, Haman summoned his wife Zeresh and his friends, to whom he boasted extensively of his vast riches, his many children, and the numerous ways the king had promoted and exalted him above all other princes and servants. He particularly emphasized his exclusive invitation to Esther's banquets with the king. Despite all his immense prosperity and honour, Haman declared that none of it brought him satisfaction as long as he saw Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. In response, Zeresh and his friends advised him to construct a gallows fifty cubits high and to speak with the king the next morning to have Mordecai hanged upon it before attending the second banquet. This counsel greatly pleased Haman, and he immediately ordered the gallows to be made.

Core Concepts

  • Royal Protocol & FavorEsther's dangerous approach to the king's inner court highlights the strict Persian royal protocol, where unsummoned entry could mean death. The king's extension of the golden sceptre signifies his immediate and life-saving favor upon her.
  • Strategic DelayEsther's decision to invite the king and Haman to two banquets before revealing her petition demonstrates a calculated and patient strategy, building anticipation and perhaps isolating Haman.
  • Haman's Pride and IndignationHaman's character is revealed through his immense pride in his wealth, family, and royal promotion, which is quickly overshadowed by his intense rage and indignation at Mordecai's perceived disrespect.
  • Obsession and HatredDespite his vast fortunes and high status, Haman's happiness is entirely consumed by his hatred for Mordecai, illustrating how personal animosity can negate all other blessings.
  • Conspiracy and MaliceThe counsel from Zeresh and Haman's friends to build a towering gallows and execute Mordecai immediately reveals a deep-seated malice and a swift move towards violent conspiracy.
  • The King's GenerosityThe king's repeated offer to grant Esther "even to the half of the kingdom" underscores his immense power and his willingness to bestow great wealth and authority upon his queen.