Esther 5
About EstherWritten by AI
Esther is the story of how a Jewish orphan became queen of Persia and how her people were saved from a plot to destroy them. It is set in the court of King Xerxes, around 480 BC, among the Jews who stayed in Persia rather than returning home. The author is unknown; Jewish tradition suggests Mordecai or the men of the Great Assembly.
The book is famous for one thing it never does: it never mentions the name of God. Yet the story is full of turning points that are hard to call luck: a sleepless king, a well-timed banquet, a gallows that serves the wrong man. Many readers see God's hidden hand here, working through ordinary choices.
Watch Esther grow from a quiet young woman who hides who she is into someone who risks her life for others. The key moment is Mordecai's question: “who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” The book ends by explaining the Jewish feast of Purim.
Before you read Esther 5Written by AI
Esther goes to the king uninvited, and he holds out his golden scepter to her. Instead of making her request at once, she invites the king and Haman to a banquet, then to a second one. Haman goes home proud, but Mordecai still will not bow, so his wife and friends suggest building a gallows.
Esther Approaches the King
On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance.
As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
“What is it, Queen Esther?” the king inquired. “What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given to you.”
“If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.”
“Hurry,” commanded the king, “and bring Haman, so we can do as Esther has requested.”
So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared. And as they drank their wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It will be given to you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be fulfilled.”
Esther replied, “This is my petition and my request: If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
Haman’s Plot against Mordecai
That day Haman went out full of joy and glad of heart. At the king’s gate, however, he saw Mordecai, who did not rise or tremble in fear at his presence. And Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.
Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. And calling for his friends and his wife Zeresh, Haman recounted to them his glorious wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored and promoted him over the other officials and servants.
“What is more,” Haman added, “Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she prepared, and I am invited back tomorrow along with the king. Yet none of this satisfies me as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows fifty cubits high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.”
The advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows constructed.