Jump to:

001

 

 

 

 

 

 

Esther

Chapter 5

{Chapters 1-5: Danger of the Jews Extermination - Continued}

{Chapters 3-5: Malevolent Plotting
  of the Prime Minister Haman - Continued}

{Chapter 5 - Focal Point of the Book of Esther}

1a~~~Now it came to pass on the third day,
  {after 3 days of fasting (probably including intercessory prayer
  for Esther and her people)}
that Esther put on her royal robes,
and stood in the inner court of the king's palace
in front of his private room.

{Note: Remember this fantastically beautiful woman has now been trained at a courtesan. She is putting on her best makeup and clothes so the king will be receptive to her. She is violating the law and could be put to death.}

1b~~~And the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house,
opposite the entrance to the palace.

{Note: The king sat where he could observe all. As Esther enters, the king would see her in all her splendor.}

2a~~~And it was so,
when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court,
that she obtained grace/favor in his sight.

{Note: RBT III says that in the Septuagint there is an insertion here. It indicates that the king was initially angry at the uninvited presence of the queen. So, Esther then fainted. And, the king rushed over to revive her and then she 'obtained grace in his sight'. However it happened, Esther was not executed.}

2b~~~And the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand.

{Note: This was the sign of clemency. So Esther was pardoned for violating the law by entering the palace uninvited.}

2c~~~So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.

{Note: Wisely, Esther is following formal protocol. The king's court knew she violated the king's law. So by following formal protocol, she is saving face for the king.}

3~~~Then said the king unto her,
"What do you want, queen Esther?
And what is your request?
It shall be even given you . . .to the half of the kingdom."

{Note: This is an idiomatic statement. It is not literal. It just means that the king will grant the request of his queen - so tell me what it is you need.}

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."

{Note: This was a time when the queen got the king in a good mood. If she blurted out, "I have a problem and the problem is YOU and this edict you signed." She would have changed the mood of the king and who knows what would have happened. Instead, the queen is tantalizing the king. She knows he loves parties and he is enthralled with her. And, she is inviting his favorite drinking buddy along also! What a gal! And, of course Haman's ego is flattered by being included - "boy do I have this king and queen in MY back pocket!"}

5~~~Then the king said,
"Bring Haman quickly,
that he may do as Esther desires."
  {the king is all for a good party!}

So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6~~~And the king said unto Esther
at the banquet of wine,
  {means the alcohol was flowing - the king was being 'primed'}
"What is your petition?

And it shall be granted to you.

And what is your request?
. . . even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed."

7-8~~~Then answered Esther, and said,
"My petition and my request is . . . 8~~~
if I have found grace/favor in the sight of the king,
and if it please the king to grant my petition,
and to do what I request,
  {he already said he would!}
may the king and Haman come to the banquet
that I shall prepare for them,
and I will do tomorrow as the king has said."
  {saying tomorrow will be another party and she WILL tell him then
  her request}

{Note: The queen continues to tantalize the king. He is not yet ready to be hit with it! This builds the king's expectation - very seductive of her!}

9a~~~Then Haman went out that day
glad and pleased at heart.

{Note: Haman is all puffed up at spending all this alone socialization time with the king and queen! He truly is the second most powerful man in the world!}

9b~~~But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate,
that he stood not up, nor trembled before him,
he was full of anger and rage against Mordecai.

{Note: The thing about self-righteous, arrogant, controlling people is that they can have a thousand successes, but one failure and they fall apart. Haman was as happy as he could be. But the mere sight of Mordecai destroyed all that happiness. And, remember, he could have just had Mordecai killed right then and there if he decided to!}

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

{Haman Tries to Regain His Happiness by Boasting to His Family and Friends}
11~~~And Haman recounted unto them
of the glory of his riches,
and the number of his children,
and all the things wherein the king had promoted him,
and how he had promoted him above the princes
and servants of the king.

{Note: Haman is feeling insecure and hopes this will make him feel more secure. This is the weakness of the person with approbation lust.}

12~~~Haman also said,
"Even Esther the queen did let no one come in with the king
unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself
and tomorrow am I invited by her with the king."

{A Very Revealing Verse}
13~~~ "Yet all this does not satisfy me,
so long as I see Mordecai, the Jew,
sitting at the king's gate."

14~~~Then said Zeresh, his wife, and all his friends unto him,
"Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high {75 feet high},
and tomorrow speak you unto the king
and request that Mordecai may be impaled thereon.
  {this means 'impaling' on a 75 foot pole - not hanging by the neck}

Then go you in merrily with the king unto the banquet."

And the thing pleased Haman
and he caused the gallows to be made.

{Note: Haman deserves his wife and friends. They are as arrogant and filled with murder lust as he is.}