Esther

Esther 5 ©

1 Esther, venturing to appear uncalled before the king in the inner court, is graciously received, and promised the grant of her request: she inviteth the king and Haman to a banquet. 6 Being encouraged by the king to name her suit, she inviteth him and Haman to another banquet the next day. 9 Haman, though proud of the distinctions shewn him, repineth at and complaineth to his friends of Mordecai's neglect. 14 By the advice of his wife and friends he prepareth for him a gallows.

1

NOW it came to pass on athe third day, that Esther bput on her royal *apparel, and stood in the cinner 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.

a ch. 4.16.
b Mat. 10.16. Ps. 112.5. 1Pe. 3.3,5. Ep. 5.15.
c ch. 4.11; 6.4.
2

And it was dso, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that eshe obtained favour in his sight: and the king fheld out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.

d Ps. 116.1. Ac. 10.4. Pr. 21.1. ch. 4.11; 8.4. Ge. 22.14. De. 32.36. 1Co. 10.13.
e ch. 2.9.
f Col. 3.18. 1Pe. 3.1-7.
3

Then said the king unto her, gWhat wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

g v.6. ch. 7.2; 9.12. 1Ki. 2.20. Mar. 6.23. Zec. 1.13. Jn. 16.24.
4

And Esther hanswered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the ibanquet that I have prepared for him.

h Pr. 29.11. Ep. 5.15. Mat. 10.16. Ps. 112.5.
i Mat. 9.10; 10.16. 1Th. 5.21. Ja. 3.13.
5

Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6

¶And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, jWhat is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.

j v.3. ch. 7.2; 9.12.
7

Then kanswered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;

k Ja. 3.13. Pr. 29.11. Mat. 10.16. Ep. 5.15. Ps. 112.5.
8

If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and 1to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do lto morrow as the king hath said.

l Pr. 16.9. ch. 6.
9

¶Then went Haman forth that day mjoyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he nstood not up, nor moved for him, he was ofull of indignation against Mordecai.

m Lu. 6.25. Am. 6.13. Job 20.5.
n ch. 3.2. Mat. 10.28. Ps. 15.4.
o ch. 3.5. Job 5.2. Ec. 4.4. Pr. 27.3,4.
10

Nevertheless Haman prefrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and 2called for his friends, and qZeresh his wife.

p 2Sa. 13.22.
q ch. 6.13. v.14.
11

And rHaman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

r Da. 4.30. ch. 9.7-10; 3.1. Ps. 49.6,16,18; 73.4-8,12; 37.35; 17.14. Job 21.7,8,11,12.
12

Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and sto morrow am I invited unto her also with the king.

s Pr. 27.1. 1Th. 5.3. Is. 13.8. Lu. 21.34,35.
13

Yet tall this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.

t Job 5.2. 1Ki. 21.4. Ps. 52.1,2. Ec. 10.1.
14

¶Then said uZeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a 3gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then vgo thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and whe caused the gallows to be made.

u Mar. 6.24. 2Sa. 13.2,3. 1Ki. 21.25. 2Ch. 22.3,4.
v ch. 3.15. Re. 11.10. Ps. 52.1,7.
w Pr. 4.16; 1.16. Is. 59.7. Ro. 3.15. ch. 7.10.