v. 1-2 – The second banquet -
The king seeks to discover Esther's petition.
He again assures her it would be granted! This interaction occurred after dinner during wine (customary).
v. 3 – Esther begins cautiously - asking if she has found
favor in the eye of the king - she reveals her own identity while revealing Haman for who he is. The king was
stunned! She is a Jew!
v. 4 – Esther
doesn't wait for Xerxes to Question - she begins explaining how they were sold to
destruction by Haman, not just into slavery. Their destruction would also be an economic
loss to the king.
v. 5 – Xerxes is offended - this is a personal assault
against his wife, not just an attack against the Jews. He reacts vehemently.
He agreed to this slaughter! Who dared to do such a thing? If we re-read chapter 3, Haman never mentioned specifically the
Jews by name. Maybe the king was duped into agreeing to this action.
v. 6 – Esther boldly identifies the adversary
v. 7 – The
king left to collect his thoughts - Haman also is surprised and scared - he remains to beg Esther
for his life, knowing the king's anger is burning against him now. Esther was very influential. Haman stayed to persuade her.
v. 8 – Haman's timing - coincidence? -
or God's plan? Look at Haman's past - his
attitude - his hatred for the Jews. Would he ever repent and turn to the God of Israel? No! What is God's
desire and interest? King's anger and feelings of betrayal color his sight of Haman with Esther. He issues the death sentence.
Persian custom to cover the face of the condemned criminal? Esther silently watches as her enemy is led away for execution.
v. 9 – Harbona
-just so happens . . . a
gallows in front of Haman's house - freshly built to hang Mordecai the Jew on. Mordecai, the man who saved the king's
life! Haman's fate is sealed at this point for sure. Coincidence? "Hang him on it!"
v. 10 – Execution
was probably immediate. Poetic justice - Haman looses his life on the very gallows he has built to
bring him joy and satisfaction at Mordecai's execution.
