Bible Chapter Summary
Esther 5 Summary
Esther's First Banquet and Haman's Pride
On the third day of fasting, Esther puts on her royal apparel and stands in the inner court of the king's house. The king sees her and extends to her the golden scepter, showing her favor. When Esther asks what he will give her, the king offers to grant her request even to the half of the kingdom. Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet she has prepared. At the banquet, the king again offers Esther whatever she desires, but she asks only that the king and Haman come to another banquet on the morrow. That day, Haman leaves the banquet joyful and glad, but seeing Mordecai at the king's gate not standing nor moving for him fills him with indignation. At home, Haman recounts to his wife Zeresh and friends his glory, riches, children, and advancement by the king, yet complains that all this means nothing while Mordecai sits at the gate. His wife and friends counsel him to prepare a gallows fifty cubits high and ask the king to hang Mordecai thereon, and the thing pleases Haman.
Key themes
Key verses
Esther 5:2
“And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.”
Esther 5:4
“And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.”
Esther 5:9-10
“Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.”
Esther 5:14
“Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a 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 the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.”
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