Esther 5

Why is the book called Esther?

The Greek version of Esther has 6 additional chapters. Catholic Bibles today place these chapters in a separate section after the Book of Esther. Most European Christians used the additional chapters until the Reformation. Protestant and Jewish Bibles use only the 10 Hebrew chapters.

The Reformers didn’t generally like Esther.

Neither Luther nor Calvin wrote commentaries on Esther. Luther criticized the books of 2 Maccabees and Esther this way:

Structure: 10 banquets and a Chiasm.

Fasting

Chiasm X

Ahasuerus aka Achashverosh aka Xerxes

Purpose of Esther

Explain why we Jews celebrate Purim.

Show God working where we don’t expect him.

Esther 1: Queen Vashti Deposed

King Ahasuerus (Xerxes I) holds a lavish banquet for his nobles in Susa.

On the final day, he commands Queen Vashti to appear to display her beauty.

Vashti refuses, and the king, advised by his counselors, deposes her to prevent other women from disobeying their husbands.

A decree is issued that every man should be ruler of his own household.

Esther 2: Esther Becomes Queen

A search begins for a new queen.

Esther, a beautiful Jewish woman raised by her cousin Mordecai, is taken to the palace.

She keeps her Jewish identity secret, as instructed by Mordecai.

Esther wins favor with everyone, including the king, and is crowned queen.

Mordecai later discovers a plot to assassinate the king and reports it through Esther. The conspirators are executed, and the event is recorded in the royal chronicles.

Esther 3: Haman’s Plot Against the Jews

The king promotes Haman to a high position.

Everyone bows to Haman, but Mordecai refuses.

Haman is enraged and plots not just to punish Mordecai but to destroy all Jews in the empire.

He convinces the king to issue a decree for their extermination, and the date is set by casting lots (“Purim”).

Esther 4: Esther’s Decision to Act

Mordecai mourns publicly and urges Esther to plead with the king.

Initially hesitant, Esther fears approaching the king uninvited (a capital offense).

Mordecai challenges her, saying, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther agrees to act and asks the Jews to fast for three days as she prepares to approach the king.

Esther 5:1–2 CSB

On the third day, Esther dressed in her royal clothing and stood in the inner courtyard of the palace facing it. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing its entrance. As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the courtyard, she gained favor with him. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter.

Esther 5:3–5 CSB

“What is it, Queen Esther?” the king asked her. “Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be given to you.” “If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for them.” The king said, “Hurry, and get Haman so we can do as Esther has requested.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared.

Esther 5:6–8 CSB

While drinking the wine, the king asked Esther, “Whatever you ask will be given to you. Whatever you want, even to half the kingdom, will be done.” Esther answered, “This is my petition and my request: If I have found favor in the eyes of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and perform my request, may the king and Haman come to the banquet I will prepare for them. Tomorrow I will do what the king has asked.”

Esther 5:9–13 CSB

That day Haman left full of joy and in good spirits. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the King’s Gate, and Mordecai didn’t rise or tremble in fear at his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai. Yet Haman controlled himself and went home. He sent for his friends and his wife Zeresh to join him. Then Haman described for them his glorious wealth and his many sons. He told them all how the king had honored him and promoted him in rank over the other officials and the royal staff. “What’s more,” Haman added, “Queen Esther invited no one but me to join the king at the banquet she had prepared. I am invited again tomorrow to join her with the king. Still, none of this satisfies me since I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the King’s Gate all the time.”

Esther 5:14 CSB

His wife Zeresh and all his friends told him, “Have them build a gallows seventy-five feet tall. Ask the king in the morning to hang Mordecai on it. Then go to the banquet with the king and enjoy yourself.” The advice pleased Haman, so he had the gallows constructed.

How does Esther 5 relate to the Gospel?

Esther stood in the gap between a condemned people and the king. Jesus does this too (Heb. 7:25).

Esther approached the throne uninvited. We are invited to come “boldly” to the throne (Heb. 4:16).

Esther is patient. As believers, our faith requires patience as well.