Esther — Chapter 5
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1Now 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.
9Then 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.
1Now 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 entrance of the house.
2And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor 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 given thee even to the half of the kingdom.
4And Esther said, 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 it may be done 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 favor 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.
9Then went Haman forth that day joyful and glad of heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king`s gate, that he stood not up nor moved for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai.
10Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and went home; and he sent and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife.
11And Haman recounted unto them 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 also am I invited by her together 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 fifty cubits high, and in the morning 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.
1It so happened that on the third day Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace, opposite the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the palace, opposite the entrance.
2When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she met with his approval. The king extended to Esther the gold scepter that was in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter.
3The king said to her, “What is on your mind, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even as much as half the kingdom will be given to you.”
4Esther replied, “If the king is so inclined, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for the king.”
5The king replied, “Find Haman quickly so that we can do as Esther requests.”So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
6While at the banquet of wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your request? It shall be given to you. What is your petition? Ask for as much as half the kingdom, and it shall be done.”
7Esther responded, “My request and my petition is this:
8If I have found favor in the king’s sight and if the king is inclined to grant my request and approve my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time I will do as the king wishes.”
9Now Haman went forth that day pleased and very much encouraged. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, and he did not rise or tremble in his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.
10But Haman restrained himself and went on to his home.He then sent for his friends to join him, along with his wife Zeresh.
11Haman then recounted to them his fabulous wealth, his many sons, and how the king had magnified him and exalted him over the king’s other officials and servants.
12Haman said, “Furthermore, Queen Esther invited only me to accompany the king to the banquet that she prepared. And also tomorrow I am invited along with the king.
13Yet all this fails to satisfy me so long as I have to see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
14Haman’s wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows 75 feet high built, and in the morning tell the king that Mordecai should be hanged on it. Then go with the king to the banquet contented.” It seemed like a good idea to Haman, so he had the gallows built.
1Now 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.
2When 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.
3Then 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.”
4Esther said, “If it seems good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him.”
5Then 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.
6The 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.”
7Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this.
8If 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.”
9Then 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.
10Nevertheless Haman restrained himself, and went home. There, he sent and called for his friends and Zeresh his wife.
11Haman 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.
12Haman 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.
13Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
14Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows be made fifty cubits high, and in the morning 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.
Summary
Esther risks her life by approaching the king unsummoned and is received with favor; she invites the king and Haman to a banquet, then a second. Haman leaves elated but furious at Mordecai, and his wife suggests building a gallows to hang him.
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
- Susa (Shushan) — the Persian royal capital and winter residence, located in modern southwestern Iran.
- The story takes place entirely within the Persian palace/citadel complex — throne room, inner court, royal garden, and the king's gate.
- The Persian Empire stretched from India to Ethiopia (Cush) — 127 provinces (1:1), the largest empire the world had yet seen.
Commentary
- Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik notes Esther's remarkable strategic patience — she did not blurt her request immediately but created conditions for maximum impact. Her delay also unwittingly created the space for God's providential intervention in chapter 6. He emphasizes that Haman's misery (v.13) despite extraordinary privilege reveals the self- destructive nature of pride: it converts blessing into torment by fixating on the one thing it cannot control.
- Charles Spurgeon: "'Yet all this availeth me nothing.' Here sits a man with wealth beyond counting, favor above all peers, children in abundance, and the queen's exclusive invitation — yet one Jew's refusal to bow empties it all of satisfaction. Such is pride's bitter harvest. The proud man's cup of joy has a hole in its bottom — it can never be filled because it always leaks. One slight, one refusal, one competitor not conquered, and all his millions become worthless. But the humble man, who seeks God's approval alone, is satisfied with the least crumb from the heavenly table. Learn, O soul: the secret of contentment is not more honor from men but less dependence on it."
Reflection
- 1. Patient wisdom may accomplish more than immediate action (vv.4, 7-8). Esther delayed her request through two banquets — and that delay created space for God to orchestrate the providential events of chapter 6. Not every crisis requires instant action. Sometimes the wisest response is strategic patience — creating conditions for God to work before you move.
- 2. The extended scepter represents grace (v.2). Esther deserved death by law but received favor by grace. This is the gospel pattern: we approach a holy King uninvited, deserving judgment, and He extends His scepter of grace. Come boldly to God's throne — not because you deserve welcome but because He chooses to extend it.
- 3. Pride poisons abundance (v.13). Haman had everything — yet "all this availeth me nothing." A heart consumed with ego cannot enjoy genuine blessings because it obsesses over the one thing it cannot control. If you find yourself unable to enjoy real blessings because of one unresolved grievance or one person's disapproval, check your heart for pride's poison.
- 4. Those who build gallows for others often hang on them themselves (v.14). The principle of reaping what you sow is active in this narrative. The trap you set for others tends to catch you. The weapon you forge against the innocent tends to wound its maker. Instead of plotting harm, leave justice to God.
- 5. Courage and wisdom work together (vv.1-8). Esther was courageous (approaching uninvited) and wise (timing her revelation strategically). Courage without wisdom can be reckless; wisdom without courage can be cowardly. The most effective servants of God combine both — acting boldly but thoughtfully, with Spirit-directed timing.