Esther
Chapter 5
The King and the Viceroy with Esther
On the third day, Esther put on her royal attire and went to the inner court of the palace, directly in front of the throne room. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.
When he saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, he looked at her with favor and extended the golden scepter he was holding toward her. Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter.
The king asked: “What is it, Queen Esther? Tell me what you want. If it is half of my kingdom, I will give it to you.”
Esther replied: “If it pleases your Majesty, come with Haman to a banquet I have prepared today.”
The king gave the order: “Immediately call Haman so Esther can get her request.” So the king and Haman went to Esther’s banquet.
During the wine-drinking, the king again asked Esther: “What is your petition? Speak up, and it will be granted. What is your request? Even half of my kingdom is yours if you ask.”
Esther replied: “My petition and request are this:
If I have found favor with your majesty and it pleases you to grant my petition and request, come with Haman tomorrow to another banquet I will prepare. Then I will answer your question.”
Haman left that day happy and in good spirits, but when he saw Mordecai at the royal gate, neither standing up nor showing any fear of him, he was filled with rage toward the man.
He did not show it, however; instead, he went home and summoned his friends and his wife, Zeresh.
After boasting about his vast wealth, his many sons, and the promotion he received from the king, which placed him above the officials and royal servants,
Haman added: “Besides, Queen Esther invited me alone to go with the king to the banquet she hosted. And she has invited me again tomorrow with the king.
Yet none satisfies me, as long as I see the Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.”
His wife Zeresh and all his friends said: “Have a fifty-cubit gallows constructed. In the morning, request the king to hang Mordecai on it. Then go joyfully to the banquet with the king.” Satisfied with the suggestion, Haman had the gallows erected.
Commentaries
The King and the Viceroy with Esther.
The story features three meetings between Esther and Ahasuerus, highlighted by the king’s repeated offer: Ask for whatever you want. The first meeting ends in 5:3 and is set up by the lengthy dialogue in the previous chapter; the second is very short, a banquet with Haman; the third is another banquet with Haman, but this one occurs in chapter 7, where the climax unfolds. Mordecai’s presence at the palace gate shows a personal defiance, as he understands the reason behind the Jews’ situation. Haman is not just satisfied with Mordecai’s death in the planned slaughter; he wants to remove him completely, be his executioner, and display him before everyone, based on his friends’ advice.