Esther 7
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So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.
2 And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom.
3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:
4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.
5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?
6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.
7 And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
8 Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of king's mouth, they covered Haman's face.
9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.
10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.
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Commentary
Esther’s second banquet was a great success and lasted into the next day. Again, the king asked her what her request was, and promised it will be done. This time, Esther replied, and Haman's doom was sealed.
The character of King Ahasuerus is very troubling. His only redeeming quality was his affection for Esther. He authorized the annihilation of innocent women and children, all without questioning the slightest detail. He had no hesitation about profiting financially from it, either. He was self-absorbed, boastful, and a disinterested leader. The eunuchs at the banquet knew of Haman’s gallows and were more aware of the political movements in the kingdom than the king.
The king’s inability to lead, pay attention to detail, and to think for himself allowed Haman to pass the decree. These character flaws worked to Esther’s advantage. He readily believed her version of events was the truth. It was no accident that God allowed the beautiful, wise Esther to enter the beauty contest. He indeed needed her for such a time as this to save His people.
Jean Boonstra
Voice of Prophecy
