Esther Chapter 5

Est 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.

Vs 1 Esther and the Jews have fasted for 3 days. Esther put on her royal apparel, and

stepped into the inner court of the king. King Ahaserus was sitting on the royal

throne. Remember it is not lawful for Esther to step in univited.

Est 5:2 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.

Vs 2 King Ahaserus notices Esther and she found favor in his sight. Remember, when

she appeared before him in chapter 2, at the contest, where the one who wins

the kings heart will be the new queen ? She was stunning then and she is

stunning now.

The only exception provided, for one who came into the inner court, before the

king uninvited, was to have the king raise the golden scepter and accept her

into his presence.

In this verse we see that the king took the golden scepter and raised it and she

came and touched it, thus presenting herself as a humble petitioner of the king.

This is a beautiful picture of God reaching the scepter of grace out to man. Man

is a vile sinner in the sight of a holy God. We are saved by His grace and we may

come boldly before his throne to obtain mercy and find grace in the time of need.

(Heb 4:16). He has held out the scepter of royal favor, royal mercy, royal power

& royal grace, to all of mankind. Thanks be unto God for the access to Him, that

He has given to the believer.

Est 5:3 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.

Vs 3 The king wants to know why she has come. He knows that he has not called for

her in more than 30 days. He knows that she took a great chance by just stepping

into the inner court. He sees that she has gone to a great deal of trouble getting

herself dressed up for this occasion. He knows that there is something she needs.

He wants her to know that he will be there for her request, so he says “half the

kingdom shall be given thee.” This a like a blank check for the one in need.

Est 5:4 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.

Vs 4 Esther invites the king to a banquet. She also wants prime minister Haman at this

banquet. She wants both of these men present when she makes her request.

Est 5:5 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.

Vs 5 Here we see that the king orders Haman to make haste and come to the banquet.

Haman is second fiddle to Queen Esther in the kings eyes.

Est 5:6 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.

Vs 6 We see that the banquet has started. Haman and the king are present. Esther must

be nervous, as again the king promises “Half the kingdom” will be yours at your

request. Certainly, for us, we can think of what Christ has offered, “But my God

shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”

Phil 4:19

Est 5:7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my

request is;

Est 5:8 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.

Vs 7,8 Esther, still worried and very nervous, asks that, before she makes the request

known, that the king and Haman attend another banquet tomorrow. God’s

providence has put it into her heart to delay one day longer.

Est 5:9 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.

Vs 9 Haman leaves the banquet with a belly full of food and a heart full of pride.

Haman was so happy to have been at the queens banquet and has the full favor of

the king, but once again Mordecai is seen and he still will not bow to Haman.

Haman is furious, that his wonderful day has been ruined by Mordecai’s refusal

to bow.

Est 5:10 Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when

he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh

his wife.

Est 5:11 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.

Vs 10,11 Haman goes home to his wife and family. He calls his friends over and begins

to brag about his riches, his children, his favor with the king and his lofty

position.

Est 5:12 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.

Vs 12 Haman brags about the banquet he has been at with the queen. “No other man

besides the king and myself were invited and tomorrow we are invited back.”

Remember that God’s Word says in Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goeth before

destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Also God’s word states in

Obadiah 3 “The pride of thine heart has deceived thee.”

Est 5:13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see

Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

Vs 13 Haman has plenty of blessings, much to brag about, but that one fella named

Mordecai will not bow and this is bothering Haman greatly. He feels that he

can have no joy in his life, with all of the blessings he has around him, till

Mordecai bows down or is killed. It seems as if the higher Haman rose in

blessings and power, the more he despised the lowly Mordecai. Haman was not

satisfied with riches, promotions, health, honor, family or friends. Haman is a

man full of vanity, pride and hatred.

The statement that Haman made, “Yet all this availeth me nothing” as long as

Mordecai the Jew is alive and will not bow, is a dangerous statement. I wonder

if there are not times that maybe we may feel like that. Do you see a family there

in a stately mansion, with the best of furnishings and all that life can afford, a

family that should be thankful for what God has allowed them to have. But

instead, a statement is made “all this availeth me nothing”, as long as my

neighbors down the road have a bigger, fancier home than we do! You see my

friend jealousy and bitterness is keeping you from enjoying life’s blessings. How

about the man with a successful business, he makes plenty of money and has all

he needs. But he makes the statement “all this availeth me nothing”, as long as the

competition is making more money than I am. How about the preacher that God

has blessed with a wonderful place to preach and instead of looking to God, he

begins to look around and then he makes the statement “all this availeth me

nothing” as long as the preacher down the road has better facilities, has a bigger

congregation, or makes a bigger salary. You see my friend we should be thankful

for what God has given us. We should follow Gods Word and note, Matt 6:33

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things

shall be added unto you.”

Est 5:14 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.

Vs 14 Hamans wife makes a suggestion here. She notes that he is the prime minister and

that he has the power to do what he wants to. She suggests that Haman build a

gallows around 75 feet high and hang this man named Mordecai from it. This

suggestion makes Haman happy and so he commands the gallows to be built. The

name Mordecai means “little or small”. The fact that Haman intends to hang

Mordecai 75 feet in the air shows the great hatred and indignation that he had for

this “little” man. Haman plans to get permission to hang Mordecai, and after the

hanging plans on attending the banquet Esther, the queen, has invited him to.