Esther 5

Chapter 5

“Now it came about on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace in front of the king’s rooms, and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace.”

“Now it came about on the third day” This is in reference to the days that Esther had asked for prayer from Mordecai and the Jews in 4:16.

“Esther” She is the queen of Persia at this point and she is also a Jew, which means that under current law, she deserved to die.

“put on her royal robes” One commentator, Baldwin, says that signified that she had some high ranking position and it would help her be welcomed by the king. Remember that for her to go into the court was dangerous because if the king didn’t want her to come in, then she would be killed.

“and stood in the inner court of the king’s palace in front of the king’s rooms” She is standing right outside the king’s main court or inner court.

"and the king was sitting on his royal throne in the throne room, opposite the entrance to the palace.” He is facing the entrance to his inner court so he can see who comes in.

“When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, she obtained favor in his sight; and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand. So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.”

“When the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court” From this, we learn that not only was he facing the entrance but that he was able to look through it to see who was standing in the inner court.

“she obtained favor in his sight” This is an interesting phrase that takes us back to the first time the king saw Esther in 2:9. She initially received favor from the king and here once again she receives favor a second time.

“and the king extended to Esther the golden scepter which was in his hand” This must of signified acceptance into the inner court. So because she obtained his favor, he accepted her into his court.

“So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.” So Esther enters the inner court and comes all the way to the throne of the king to touch the top of the scepter he held in his hand. This was probably to show submission and respect to the king.

“Then the king said to her, ‘What is troubling you, Queen Esther? And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you.’”

“Then the king said to her” He starts the conversation with his queen.

“What is troubling you” How did he know she was troubled? Was it her demeanor? The only thing we can know is that it was a big deal for her to come and present herself before the king. Maybe this was the indication that she was troubled and was in need of something.

“Queen Esther?” The king calls her and treats her, here, with respect and honor due to her position.

“And what is your request?” This confirms that he knew she wanted something and was troubled simply by her entering into his inner court.

“Even to half of the kingdom it shall be given to you.” This is an interesting phrase said by the king that is repeated in chapter 7 at the second banquet. This is also repeated with Herod in when he tells the dancing girl the same thing and she asks for the head of John the Baptist. One commentator, Reid, thinks that this phrase was to instill confidence in the requester so they could truly receive what they needed.

“Esther said, ‘If it pleases the king, may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet that I have prepared for him.’”

“If it pleases the king” She is using this phrase to put the importance on the king, which is a form of flattery.

“may the king and Haman come this day to the banquet” Esther again tries to flatter the king by offering him the ability to join her for a banquet to honor him.

“that I have prepared for him.” She helps her case by saying that she has already worked on the banquet.

“Then the king said, ‘Bring Haman quickly that we do as Esther desires.’ So the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared.”

“Bring Haman quickly” This must indicate that the banquet was ready to be had, as the king calls for an immediate response from Haman to attend and they swiftly went to Esther’s banquet.

“that we may do as Esther desires” It’s interesting that the king’s command is directly tied to please his queen, Esther. He has a desire to do what his queen has said, even if that means including someone else in her commands or wishes. This may indicate that he highly respects Esther to some degree.

“As they drank their wine at the banquet, the king said to Esther, ‘What is your petition, for it shall be granted to you. And what is your request? Even to half of the kingdom it shall be done.”

The king knows that Esther didn’t just want to host for him a banquet, so he repeats his words in verse 3.

“So Esther replied, ‘My petition and my request is:’”

She