Esther Approaches the King's Throne

Esther puts on her royal robes and stands in the inner court uninvited; the golden scepter goes out, and she is offered half the kingdom. She asks only for a banquet, then a second. Haman leaves elated, is enraged by Mordecai, and builds a pole.

Chapter 5.

On the third day, Esther dressed in royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, facing the king's hall. The king sat on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance of the palace. When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor with him, and he held out the gold scepter in his hand. She approached and touched its tip.

The king asked, "What's wrong, Queen Esther? What do you request? Up to half the kingdom will be given you."

Esther said, "If the king is pleased, let him and Haman come today to the banquet I've prepared."

"Bring Haman quickly to do as Esther asked," said the king. The king and Haman came to the banquet Esther prepared.

Over wine the king asked, "What's your petition, Esther? It will be granted. And what is your request? Even half the kingdom—it's yours."

Esther answered, "My petition and my request is this: If I've found favor with the king, and it pleases him to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet I'll prepare for them. Tomorrow I'll do as the king says."

Haman's Rage Turns Against Mordecai

Haman left that day happy and glad. But seeing Mordecai at the king's gate not rise or tremble before him, Haman was enraged at Mordecai. Still, Haman held himself back and went home. He sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh, Haman told them of his wealth's splendor, his many sons, and how the king had honored and promoted him above the king's officials and servants.

"And that's not all," Haman added. "Queen Esther invited only me with the king to her banquet, and I'm invited again tomorrow with the king. Yet all this profits me nothing whenever I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."

His wife Zeresh and all his friends said, "Have them build a pole seventy-five feet high. In the morning, ask the king to hang Mordecai on it. Then go with the king to the banquet, happy." Haman liked this and had the pole built.