Esther 5

Esther Approaches the King

1On the third day Esther put on her royal garments and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, opposite the king’s house. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal house, opposite the entrance of the house. 2When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she gained favor in his eyes, and the king extended to Esther the gold scepter that was in his hand. Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter. 3Then the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even to half the kingdom, it shall be given to you.” 4Esther said, “If it is good to the king, let the king and Haman come today to the feast that I have prepared for him.”

Esther’s First Feast

5Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has said.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. 6While they were drinking wine at the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It shall be given to you. And what is your request? Even to half the kingdom, it shall be done.” 7Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request are: 8If I have found favor in the king’s eyes, and if it is good to the king to grant my petition and do my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do according to the king’s word.”

Haman’s Joy Turns to Fury

9Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and he did not rise or tremble before him, Haman was filled with fury against Mordecai. 10Yet Haman restrained himself and went to his house. He sent and brought his friends and Zeresh his wife. 11Haman recounted to them the glory of his riches, the multitude of his sons, all the ways the king had promoted him, and how he had exalted him above the officials and servants of the king. 12Haman said, “Even Queen Esther brought no one with the king to the feast that she prepared except me, and tomorrow also I am invited by her with the king. 13Yet all this is worth nothing to me whenever I see Mordecai the Judean sitting at the king’s gate.”

A Tree Is Prepared for Mordecai

14Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a tree fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning say to the king that Mordecai should be hanged on it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” The matter was good in Haman’s eyes, and he had the tree made.