Esther 5
1 On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner courtyard of the king’s house, facing the king’s residence. The king was seated on the throne of his kingdom in the royal palace, facing the entrance to the palace.
2 When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she won his favor. The king held out to Esther the golden scepter in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
3 The king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even half the kingdom will be given to you.”
4 Esther said, “If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for him.”
5 The king said, “Hurry and bring Haman, so we can do what Esther has said.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared.
6 At the wine banquet, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It will be granted to you. And what is your request? Even half the kingdom, and it will be done.”
7 Esther replied, “My petition and my request are these:
8 If I have found favor in the king’s eyes, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet I will prepare for them. Tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”
9 That day Haman went out joyful and in high spirits. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, and Mordecai neither stood up nor moved for him, Haman was filled with fury against Mordecai.
10 Haman restrained himself and went home. He sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh.
11 Haman told them about the glory of his great wealth and the number of his sons, and everything the king had done to promote and exalt him above the king’s officials and servants.
12 Haman added, “Besides, Queen Esther brought no one with the king to the banquet she prepared except me. And I am invited by her again tomorrow, with the king.
13 But all of this means nothing to me whenever I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
14 His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a pole made, fifty cubits high, and in the morning ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go joyfully with the king to the banquet.” The advice pleased Haman, and he had the pole made.
Read and listen to this chapter in the Shalem app, free: narration, chapter video and reading progress. Get the app