For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Esther 5:1-8

 1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the sceptre.

3 Then the king asked, ‘What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.’

4 ‘If it pleases the king,’ replied Esther, ‘let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him.’

5 ‘Bring Haman at once,’ the king said, ‘so that we may do what Esther asks.’

So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. 6 As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, ‘Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted.’

7 Esther replied, ‘My petition and my request is this: 8 If the king regards me with favour and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfil my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.’

A. Find Out

1. Where did Esther go and what did she do? v.1
2. What was the king’s response to her? v.2
3. What did the king say to her? v.3
4. What was her request and what was the response? v.4,5
5. At the banquet what did the king ask? v.6
6. What did she ask? v.7,8

B. Think:

1. Why was Esther’s action very risky?
2. Why do you think she wanted to hold a banquet for the king?
3. Why do you think she asked for a second banquet?

C. Comment:

     Things are going to start happening very quickly now. The first and most important thing is Esther’s decision to approach the king after three days of prayer and fasting. The mention of prayer and fasting is the only ‘spiritual’ reference in this book but we must assume the Lord responds to the prayers of all the Jews of Susa, for when Esther goes to the palace she is received by the king and welcomed. This moment is the telling point. The king could have seen her approach unfavourably, but he doesn’t. Instead he calls her in, offering to give her whatever she wants. He realises she must be there for a purpose.

     She simply requests that the king come to a banquet she has prepared – and bring her top advisor, Haman, with him. Not having seen the king for a month, it is perhaps understandable that she might make such a request of her husband. Food is always a good attraction, and this king is known for his eating – and the effects it has on him. She is counting on it having a good effect upon him, but at this first banquet she deems it unwise to bring up the subject of the Jews. It doesn’t yet seem quite the right moment so she holds back and instead asks that she may have the pleasure of his company again the next day at a similar banquet where she will make her request. The king agrees.

D. Application:

1. It is sometimes wise to keep silent, and sometimes wise to speak out. We need to learn the difference.
2. For Christians, the Holy Spirit will give us that wisdom and will prompt and guide our speaking.

Passage: Esther 5:9-14

9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home.

Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, 11 Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honoured him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. 12 ‘And that’s not all,’ Haman added. ‘I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. 13 But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.’

14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, ‘Have a pole set up, reaching to a height of fifty cubits, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai impaled on it. Then go with the king to the banquet and enjoy yourself.’ This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the pole set up.

A. Find Out

1. What changed Haman’s feelings? v.9
2. Yet what did he do? v.10a
3. What did he do there? v.10b-12
4. Yet what was he left feeling, and why? v.13
5. What counsel was he given? v.14

B. Think:

1. What is the timing of the most recent events?
2. When does Haman plan to hang Mordecai?

C. Comment:

      There are two things of particular note here: Haman’s reactions and the timing of all that is happening. Haman has just been to a private banquet with the king and the queen, particularly at the queen’s request. He has eaten and drunk well, and he feels really good. He feels he has ‘arrived’; he’s in the company of the very top people. What more can he want?

He comes out and there he sees Mordecai who clearly doesn’t feel about him as he does about himself. He is enraged, but he doesn’t have the courage to do anything about it. He goes home and brags about his achievements and position, but then, when he thinks of Mordecai, he sulks! In this he reminds us of King Ahab (1 Kings 21:4). Like Ahab, it is his wife who prods him into action. He goes along with her suggestion and has a gallows erected outside to have Mordecai hanged next morning.

      Now let’s remind ourselves of the timing of all that has happened. On the thirteenth day of the first month (3:12), the decree was sent out to kill the Jews in exactly eleven months (3:13). A short time passes and Mordecai presses Esther to act. After three days prayer and fasting she acted. She invites the king to what was probably lunch. After lunch Haman plots to kill Mordecai the next morning and then go on to the second banquet. Time is running out for Mordecai. It looks like he will be killed before Esther has time to plead for the Jews. The situation looks hopeless. Watch this space. Things are about to happen quickly!

D. Application:

1. Sulking is a sign of a weak character.
2. Wives are powerful people – for good or for evil!