Esther

Haman’s Downfall

So the king and Haman attended the banquet that Esther had prepared for them.

And again, on that second day, while they were drinking wine, the king said to Esther: “Whatever your petition is, Queen Esther, it shall be granted. Whatever request you make shall be fulfilled, even if it were half of my kingdom.”

Queen Esther replied: “If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life; and spare the lives of my people as well. This is my petition and request on behalf of myself and my people.

My people and I have been delivered to destruction, slaughter, and extinction. Had we been sold simply as male and female slaves, I would have said nothing, for our calamity would not be as great a loss to the king.”

King Ahasuerus asked Queen Esther: “Who and where is the man who dared do such a thing?”

Esther answered: He is none other than this wicked Haman—an enemy and a foe! At this, Haman was struck with terror.

The king stormed out of the banquet in anger and went to the garden. Haman stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life, realizing the king had already decided his fate.

When the king returned from the garden to the banquet hall, Haman had thrown himself on the bed where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed: Is he really going to molest the queen right in front of me in my own house? No sooner had the king spoken than his assistants covered Haman’s face.

Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs, said: “This man built a fifty-cubit gallows for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king. It is standing there at his house.” The king said: “Very well, hang him on it.”

Haman was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided.