Esther 6

“During the night the king could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king.”

“During the night” We know from the timeline of the book that this is the night after Esther’s first banquet and also the night before the second banquet.

“the king” This is King Ahasuerus.

“could not sleep” We’re not given a specific reason for why the king was unable to fall asleep.

“so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles,” This book of records was kept as a log of what the king had experienced. We actually saw this in chapter two after Mordecai had made known the plans against the king. It says in verse 23 that it was recorded in this book of records, which actually helps us get to the next verse.

“and they were read before the king.” This actually tells us why the king asked for the chronicles in light of his sleep deprivation. It’s commonly known that the soft sound of the human voice can ease one when they are trying to sleep. The king made this order simply because he wanted to get some rest.

“It was found written what Mordecai had reported concerning Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who were doorkeepers, that they had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.”

“It was found written” This event didn’t take place too far in the past, so it was probably one of the more recent events that was recorded in the chronicles.

“what Mordecai had reported” Again we can go back to chapter two and see the story that took place here.

“concerning Bigthana and Teresh” Notice the names here and again in chapter 2:21-23. Is there a difference? Are these the same people?

“eunuchs who were doorkeepers” These designations meant that they were held rather high roles.

“that they had sought to lay hands on king Ahasuerus.” Remember that they became angry and wanted to “lay hands” on him.

“The king said, ‘What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?’ Then the king’s servants who attended him said, ‘Nothing has been done for him.’”

“The king said,” After hearing this account about Mordecai, the king no longer desires to sleep but rather asks whether Mordecai was honored or not. Interesting that this was something that greatly concerned the king enough to forsake the original purpose of this reading.

“What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” It was seemingly important to the king that this man would be honored for what he had done. He was concerned that Mordecai was not appropriately honored for saving the king’s life.

“Then the king’s servants who attended him” These servants could have been all in the room at the time of the reading or they could have come in later to make sure the records were right. However, it’s important to note that there were many servants who were able to confirm the records.

“nothing has been done for him” We’re unsure if something like this would have been detailed in the records of the king or not, but that may be besides the point. The king gets his answer and learns that there was no reward given to Mordecai.

“So the king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace in order to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows which he had prepared for him.”

“So the king said” When does this happen? This is where the timing gets a little weird. The text seems to indicate that these events are happening right after another, but at the end of chapter 6, it’s the end of the day and the king and Haman are on their way to dine with Esther. If you go back to 5:14, Zerseh, Haman’s wife, and all of Haman’s friends tell him to go to the king in the morning, and he seemed pretty pleased with her advice. It seems reasonable that verse initiates the following day.

“Who is in the court?” Why would he ask this question? One commentator makes mention that this was common practice for the advisors to the king to remain in the court outside of his chambers in case he needed to discuss matters with them. It’s important to note that we keep seeing this theme of outside counsel in the book of Esther

“Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the king’s palace” This also reaches back into 5:14 and gives us the indication that verse 4 starts a new day.

“in order to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows.” Notice the irony here!

” Notice the irony here!

Just as Mordecai is approaching the king, the king is summoning him.

Just as Haman is about to ask about killing Mordecai, the king wants to honor him.

Just as Haman is asking the king for something, the king is commanding that Haman do something.

Just as Haman had prepared for Mordecai’s death, now he will also prepare for Mordecai’s exaltation.

“which he had prepared for him.” Haman had already built the gallows that he wanted to use. Now, all he desired was permission.

“The king’s servants said to him, ‘Behold, Haman is standing in the court.’ And the king said, ‘Let him come in.’”

“The king’s servants said to him” These servants were with him in verse 3 informing the king that nothing had been done for Mordecai.

“Behold,” Pay attention king!

“Haman is standing in the court.” This is great news for the king because Haman is one of his most trusted advisors.

“And the king said, ‘Let him come in.’” The king is happy with Haman’s presence in the court and desires him to come and help him figure out the best way to honor Mordecai.

“So Haman came in and the king said to him, ‘What is to be done for the man whom the king desires to honor?’ And Haman said to himself, ‘Whom would the king desire to honor more than me?’”

“So Haman came in” One commentator mentions that Haman didn’t need the scepter to be allowed into the court of the king because he was desired. This sets Haman up for some serious irony as he hears what the king wants from him.

“and the king said to him” The king here is talking to one of his most trusted advisors.

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