Esther 5:1–14 (May 17, 2025)

Esther Prepares a Banquet

5:1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, in front of the king's quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. 2 And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 And the king said to her, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.” 4 And Esther said, “If it please the king,[a] let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.” 5 Then the king said, “Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.” So the king and Haman came to the feast that Esther had prepared. 6 And as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king said to Esther, “What is your wish? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.”[b] 7 Then Esther answered, “My wish and my request is: 8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king[c] to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.”

Haman Plans to Hang Mordecai

9 And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. 10 Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh. 11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.” 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows[d] fifty cubits[e] high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.

Footnotes

Esther 5:4 Hebrew If it is good to the king

Esther 5:6 Or done

Esther 5:8 Hebrew if it is good to the king

Esther 5:14 Or wooden beam; twice in this verse (see note on 2:23)

Esther 5:14 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters

The moment has come. Esther approaches the king, fully aware of the risk. Instead of causing immediate confrontation, she waits, inviting the king and Haman to a banquet. Meanwhile, Haman swells with pride but seethes with hatred toward Mordecai. This chapter shows us that divine reversals often begin quietly: with a step of faith, a display of restraint, and a sovereign delay.

1. God Favors Those Who Walk by Faith

Esther 5:1–3, “On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace, in front of the king’s quarters, while the king was sitting on his royal throne inside the throne room opposite the entrance to the palace. And when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she won favor in his sight, and he held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. And the king said to her, ‘What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you, even to the half of my kingdom.’”

Esther may stand alone in the king's inner court, but she is not alone. The King of the universe watches over her. Faith expresses itself not only in bold speeches but also in obedient action. God honors those who step forward, not knowing the outcome, because they trust Him. Outcome is not important; obedience is.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)

2. Pride is Never Satisified

Esther 5:9–10, “And Haman went out that day joyful and glad of heart. But when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he neither rose nor trembled before him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and brought his friends and his wife Zeresh.”

Haman is honored as the sole guest of the queen’s banquet, yet one man's refusal to bow to him instantly "ruins" his joy. His "joy" comes at the cost of others, and that's not "true joy." Furthermore, he is driven by pride, which is never satisfied—it always needs more. It is an unquenchable fire. This is the root of all human rebellion: the demand to be exalted.

3. God Keeps His Covenant with His People

Esther 5:4–5, 7–8, “And Esther said, ‘If it please the king, let the king and Haman come today to a feast that I have prepared for the king.’ Then the king said, ‘Bring Haman quickly, so that we may do as Esther has asked.’

Then Esther answered, ‘My wish and my request is: If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my wish and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come to the feast that I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said.’”

Esther does not rush into her petition. She waits—wisely, prayerfully, providentially. Delay is not denial. It is a way in which we grow in the Spirit. Sometimes it feels as though God's timing is "late," but the reality is that God’s timing is "perfect." When the enemy feels so proud and confident of its victory, God acts decisively to judge evil and darkness. Never doubt God's promise--He is faithful.

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

4. Grace Holds the Line

Esther 5:11–14, “11 And Haman recounted to them the splendor of his riches, the number of his sons, all the promotions with which the king had honored him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and the servants of the king. 12 Then Haman said, “Even Queen Esther let no one but me come with the king to the feast she prepared. And tomorrow also I am invited by her together with the king. 13 Yet all this is worth nothing to me, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate.” 14 Then his wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Let a gallows fifty cubits high be made, and in the morning tell the king to have Mordecai hanged upon it. Then go joyfully with the king to the feast.” This idea pleased Haman, and he had the gallows made.”

Haman builds a gallows for Mordecai, certain of his success, but the irony is that the destruction he planned for Mordecai was actually for himself. Grace is already at work behind the curtain. Often, God allows the proud to overreach, so their downfall may be complete. While Haman plots death, God preserves the life of his covenant people. The cross stands as the ultimate gallows reversal—where evil planned destruction, God brought salvation.

5. A Thanksgiving Prayer

Lord, thank you for giving courage to those who trust in you.

Thank you for working not only through boldness, but also through waiting.

Thank you for remaining sovereign even when pride seems to rise unchecked.

Teach me to walk in faith, wait with wisdom, and trust Your timing.

And when I face the proud, remind me that the cross is already victorious.

In Jesus’ name we pray.

Proverbs 18:12, “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”