Esther · chapter 5 of 10
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In Esther 5 the queen enters the inner court and the king extends the golden scepter to her. Esther invites the king and Haman to a banquet and, instead of making her request, invites them to another the next day. Haman leaves happy but is filled with rage at the sight of Mordecai, and on the advice of his wife Zeresh and his friends he has a gallows fifty cubits high built to hang him.
Esther 5 follows the three-day fast of the previous chapter. Esther's decision is made, and now the story shows how she carries it out with caution and wisdom, not making her request at once. At the same time, Haman's pride keeps growing and prepares his own downfall.
On the third day Esther puts on her royal robes and stands in the inner court of the king's house, facing the hall where the king sits on his throne. When the king sees her, she finds favor in his eyes, and he extends the golden scepter toward her. Esther approaches and touches the tip of the scepter. The king asks what she wants and promises to give her up to half the kingdom.
Esther asks only that the king come with Haman that day to a banquet she has prepared. The king orders Haman to be brought quickly, and both attend. While they drink wine, the king again asks what her request is, and Esther replies that if she has found favor, the king and Haman should come the next day to another banquet, and then she will do as the king has said.
Haman goes out that day glad and cheerful, but when he sees Mordecai at the king's gate, who does not stand or move for him, he is filled with rage. He restrains himself, goes home and gathers his friends and his wife Zeresh. He tells them of his wealth, his sons, the honors the king has given him and that only he was invited with the king to the queen's banquet, but says none of it satisfies him while he sees Mordecai sitting at the king's gate. Zeresh and his friends suggest building a gallows fifty cubits high and asking the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. The idea pleases Haman, and he has the gallows made.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
When the king sees Esther standing in the court, she finds favor in his eyes and he extends the golden scepter. What could have been death becomes a gesture of welcome, and the prayer and fasting of the people receive a first answer.
The king asks what she wants and promises up to half the kingdom. It is an expression of generosity, not a literal offer, and shows the favor Esther has with him.
Esther does not yet present her request but invites the king and Haman to a second banquet. Her prudence in waiting for the right moment prepares the outcome of chapter 7.
Zeresh and his friends advise Haman to raise a gallows fifty cubits high for Mordecai, and Haman has it made. Without knowing it, he prepares the instrument of his own ruin.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: On the third day, wearing her royal robes, in the inner court of the king's house. — Esther 5:1
Answer: He held out the golden scepter to her, and she approached and touched its tip. — Esther 5:2
Answer: To give her whatever she asked, up to half the kingdom. — Esther 5:3
Answer: The king and Haman. — Esther 5:4
Answer: Because he saw Mordecai at the king's gate, who neither stood nor moved for him. — Esther 5:9
Answer: To build a gallows fifty cubits high and ask the king to have Mordecai hanged on it. — Esther 5:14
Esther 5 shows courage that is not impulsive. After fasting, Esther enters the king's presence, but she does not do everything at once: she waits for the right moment to make her request. In the Christian life, faith does not exclude prudence; sometimes acting wisely means preparing the ground, praying and waiting for the right time before speaking.
Haman, on the other hand, has riches, sons, honor and a place of privilege, yet cannot enjoy any of it because one man will not bow to him. It is a portrait of how pride and envy can rob us of joy. In a study group you can discuss what keeps us from being thankful for what we have and how resentment leads us to plan harm instead of seeking peace.
Esther 5 ends with the gallows ready for Mordecai and a second banquet still to come. In Esther 6 the story takes an unexpected turn: a night when the king cannot sleep will change the fate of Mordecai and Haman.
The text does not explain her reasons. Many readers see a prudent strategy: gaining the king's trust, having Haman present and choosing the right moment. That waiting, in the story, also shows that God guides the timing of events.
It is an idiom meaning that the king is willing to grant any reasonable request. It should not be taken literally, but it shows how much favor Esther had gained.
The text says fifty cubits, about seventy-five feet by the common cubit, an exaggerated height that shows Haman's wish to humiliate Mordecai publicly and have everyone see it.