1Esther, 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. 6Being encouraged by the king to name her suit, she inviteth him and Haman to another banquet the next day. 9Haman, though proud of the distinctions shewn him, repineth at and complaineth to his friends of Mordecai's neglect. 14By the advice of his wife and friends he prepareth for him a gallows.
1NOW it came to pass on 1the third day, that Esther put on 2her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against 3the king’s house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.
1 Namely, on the third day of the feast, Esther 4:16.
2 Hebr. clothed herself with the kingdom, that is, with the apparel of the kingdom; as is set down to the full Esther 6:8; see the place there, with the annotation.
3 That is, that part of the house where the king had his residence.
2And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing 4in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to 5Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and 6touched the 7top of the sceptre.
4 Understand here the inner-hall of the palace where the king had his chambers.
5 This was a sign that he gave her permission to draw near unto him, and that he was willing and ready to hear what she would request of him.
6 Unto a sign of obedience and reverence.
7 Hebr. the head.
3Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee 8to the half of the kingdom.
8 Also verse 6. The sentence would be fuller and more complete thus: If you would require the half part of the kingdom, it would be granted you. See the same promise of Herod, Mark 6:23.
4And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared 9for him.
9 Or, him, namely for the king.
5Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do 10as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.
10 Hebr. the word.
6¶And the king said unto Esther 11at the banquet of wine, What 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.
11 That is, when the wine was carried up, and they began to be merry with drinking of wine. They were wont among the Persians (as some historians write) not to bring the wine to the table until the sweet meats and fruit were served up; for else or at other times they drank water; the king’s drink was sod or boiled water out of the river Choaspes.
7Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is;
8If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please 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 12I will do to morrow 13as the king hath said.
12 That is, tomorrow I shall present my petition to the king, and acquaint him what the thing is that I desire of him.
13 Hebr. according to the word of the king.
9¶Then went Haman forth that day 14joyful and 15with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai 16in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor 17moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.
14 namely, because he had the honor to be invited alone to the queen’s banquet.
15 Hebr. good at heart, or, good of heart.
16 That is, in the gate of the king’s house.
17 See Esther 3:2.
10Nevertheless Haman 18refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.
18 That is, he refrained and bridled his anger, so that he did not immediately and without delay revenged himself on Mordecai.
11And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and 19the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and 20how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.
19 He had ten sons, Esther 9:10. There is nowhere any mention made of his daughters. Other, greatness.
20 See Esther 3:1.
12Haman 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 to morrow am 21I invited 22unto her also with the king.
21 Hebr. I am also tomorrow her called one, or, invited one.
22 Or, by her.
13Yet all this 23availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.
23 That is, it cannot make me truly cheerful.
14¶Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let 24a 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 25the thing pleased Haman; and 26he caused the gallows to be made.
24 Hebr. a wood; and so in the following.
25 Hebr. this word, that is, this advice.
26 Hebr. he made the wood; that is, he caused it to be prepared for the gallows.