Esther 05 Esther enters the presence of the king and invites him and Haman to two banquets

 Esther 05

Esther enters the presence of the king and invites him and Haman to two banquets

1 So it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's house, opposite the king's chamber; while the king was sitting on his royal throne, in the royal house, opposite the entrance to the chamber.

2 And it happened, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his eyes; and the king pointed to Esther the golden cedar that was in his hand; and Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.

3 Then the king said to her, "What is your request, Queen Esther? Or what is your request? Even half the kingdom will be given to you."

4 And Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him."

 5 Then the king said, “Make Haman hurry, so that he may do what Esther has commanded.” So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared. 

6 At the banquet of wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your petition? It will be granted to you. And what is your request? It will be granted, even to half the kingdom.” 

7 Then Esther answered and said, “My petition and my request is this: 

8 If I have found favor in the king’s eyes, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and grant my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has commanded.” 

9 So Haman went out that day joyful and in good spirits. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, and that he did not rise or move before him, Haman was filled with wrath against Mordecai.

 10 But Haman restrained himself and went to his house. and he sent and had his friends and Zeresh his wife brought in. 

11 Then Haman told them the glory of his riches and the multitude of his children, and all the ways in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. 

12 Haman said, “Neither did Queen Esther invite anyone with the king to the banquet she prepared except me; and tomorrow I am invited by her and the king.

 13 But all this does not satisfy me, as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.” 

14 Then Zeresh his wife and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and tomorrow tell the king that Mordecai be hanged on it, and then come in joyfully with the king to the banquet.” And this advice pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.