Esther 5

Esther 5:1-8

Here, 1. Efther proves successful in her application, and is honoured with the king’s presence of her banquet, ver. 1—8. 2. Haman, still more enraged at Mordecai, prepares a gallows for his execution, ver. 9—14.

a Chap. in. 10. b Chap. in. 11. & v. 4. c Pour. vii. d. Lib. 40. e Chap. vii. f. g John vii. h. See Mgr. i. v. 1. i. Pour. vii. j. Mar. 6. k. Chap. vii. l. Chap. in. m.

1. NOW it came to pass on the third day, that Efther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king’s house, over against the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. 2. And it was so, when the king saw Efther the queen standing in the court, that the obtained favour in his fight: and the king held out to Efther the golden sceptre that was in his hand: so Efther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter. 3. Then said the king unto her, ‘What wilt thou, queen Efther?’ and what is thy request? ‘it shall be even given thee, to the half of the kingdom. 4. And ‘Efther answered, if it seem good unto the king,’ let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him. 5. Then the king said, ‘Cause Haman to make halfe, that he may do as Efther hath said: so the king and Haman came to the banquet that Efther had prepared. 6. And the king said unto Efther at the banquet of wine, ‘What is thy pension?’ and it shall be granted thee; and what is thy request? Even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. 7. Then answered Efther, and said, ‘My pension was my request is; 8. If I have found favour in the fight

of the king, and if it pleads the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do no-morrow as the king hath said.

On the third day, when their prayers and talking had come up for a memorial before God,

1. Efther boldly approaches the royal throne, dressed in royal apparel, meet for the presence of the king. Having in faith and prayer commended herself to God, she could with confidence meet the danger.

2. The king no sooner perceived her standing in the inner court, than God, who hath in his hands the hearts of kings, inclined him to show her the greatest kindness and regard. He stretches out the sceptre, as an assurance to her of life, and encourages her to propose her request, (which such an unusual appearance of the queen spoke to be of importance) and it should be granted. Note, (1.) They who venture all for God, will find him able to do for them unfeasantly better than their most sanguine hopes. (2.) The inner that draws near the throne of the eternal King, shall find a like favourable acceptance; his fears shall vanish, his pardon be sealed, his petitions granted, and this exceeding abundantly above all he can ask or think.

3. As it seemed not yet a fit occasion to open her design, she only humbly entreats the king’s presence with Haman to her banquet. There she would try his kind regard to her; revive the affliction that had deemed to fashish; watch the favourable moment when his heart was open; and charge Haman to his face with the wickedness he medicated. The request is infirmly granted. Haman is sent for, and happy; no doubt, in this honourable distinction. There the king again bids her ask, and renews his promise of granting her request. Another day she begs his company, and then the important sincere shall be disloved; hoping thus to engage his increasing affection, and the more firmly to obtain her request. Also, to watch the favourable moment is the way to ensure success.

4. Then went Haman forth that day, joyful, and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king’s gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. 10. Nevertheless Haman refrained himself, and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zereish his wife. 11. And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the kings wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. 12. Haman said moreover, ‘Yes Efther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that he had prepared, but myself; and to-morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. 13. Yet all this available me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew fitting at the king’s gate. 14. Then said Zereish his wife, and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to-morrow speak thou unto the king, that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman, and he caused the gallows to be made.’

Esther 5:9-14

Little thought Haman, how deceitful was the honour of which he boasted, or how vain the revenge he medicated.

1. He departs from the banquet highly elated with the honour shown him, and more with the renewal of the invitation; flattering himself, that none he was equally the favourite of the king and queen, and reigned without a rival in their regard. Note, When pride is wound up to the highest pitch, the fall, like Lucifer’s, is more terrible.

2. Mordecai still persevered in refusing him the adoration he demanded. Notwithstanding the danger which threatened, he dared not, by mean and sinful compliance, seek to avert it; in conditions uprightness secure, and only disincline to keep a confederate void of offence. Note, They who are careful to plead God, need not fear or care who are dishealed with them for so doing.

3. Haman’s bosom swelled with indignation: he could not beat this company, as he regarded it, without the dreadful anguish; and though he refrained himself in the view of the revenge he medicated, this troubled his reproof, and made all his enjoyments unheard. His riches, his family, his advancement at court, all are nothing in his eyes, whilst Mordecai lives, and his revenge is dishealed. Note, (1.) Pride and dishonest create as numberless miseries, and rob us of the enjoyment of all our mercies. (2.) The earth of God is often visible on the wicked in the midst of all their possessions.

4. Haman

5. Names disobeyed his complaints to his wife and friends, and they should the malignancy of his heart, and provide a speedy pre-treatment of his strength. That a gallows should be treated only with a high, before his own door, that all might for the microcuri, and himself be delighted with the execution; that on the return, he would early get the death warrant signed, for even for the general medicine, but keep Mordecai without delay; and then with greater delight he might go to the queen’s hangers, and meet no more that unwelcome for at court. The thing pleased Haman, and in no fount (quite than done) but little thought the builder for whom this gallows was erected. Now, When the expectation of the fount is proved, then rain and death cannot see at the door.