What I Noticed Today (Esther 4-7)
Esther 4
Haman plans to annihilate all the Jews in the Persian empire.
In verses 1-3, when Mordecai learned about the king’s decree, he mourned in sackcloth and ashes, as did many of the Jews throughout the Persian empire.
In verses 4-9, news of Mordecai’s mourning reached Esther, who sent her servant Hathach, to Mordecai to find out why he was mourning.
- Returning from Mordecai, Hathach told Esther about the king’s decree to annihilate all the Jews in the empire.
- Mordecai asked Esther to beg the king to spare the people’s lives
In verses 10-17, Esther explained to Mordecai that she had not been summoned to the king for 30 days.
- Mordecai warned her that even she would not be safe.
- Esther agreed to try to see the king but asked that the people pray and fast with her for three days, and then she would attempt to see the king.
Esther 5-7
Haman’s plot to annihilate the Jews is exposed by Esther.
Esther 5
In verses 1-8, on the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the outer court.
- The king allowed her in, asking what she wanted.
- Esther invited the king and Haman to a banquet.
- At the banquet, the king asked her what she wanted, and she asked for the king and Haman to return the next day for a second banquet when she would make her request known.
In verses 9-14, on the way home, Haman went by Mordecai who refused to bow down to him, and this infuriated Haman.
- When he got home, Haman consulted friends and his wife who advised him to build a gallows 75-feet high and ask the king for permission to hang Mordecai.
- So Haman issued an order for the construction of the gallows.
Esther 6
In verses 1-3, that very night the king could not sleep so he ordered a reading of the daily court activities and found that Mordecai had never been honored for foiling the attempt on the king’s life.
In verses 4-9, Haman arrived early in the morning to ask the king for permission to hang Mordecai, but instead, the king asked Haman what should be done for a man the king wished to honor.
- Prideful, thinking the king was referring to him, Haman answered to give the person royal robes and the king’s horse, and have the man led through the city by a high-ranking advisor.
In verses 10-14, much to his chagrin, the king ordered Haman to do exactly that to honor Mordecai.
- Haman did as the king ordered. He took new clothes to Mordecai and paraded him around the city, shouting, “This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.”
- Haman returned home and told his wife and friends what had happened.
- Haman’s wife and friends all told him he would not prevail against Mordecai; his downfall was certain.
Esther 7
In verses 1-4, the king and Haman came to Esther’s banquet:
- The king asked Esther once again, what was her request.
- This time, Esther answered that she wished to save her life and the life of her people who had been sold to be destroyed, killed, and annihilated.
In verses 5-6, when the king asked who would do such a thing, Esther pointed to Haman.
In verses 7-8, the king went to the palace garden while Haman begged the queen to spare his life.
- When the king returned, he saw Haman on the couch where the queen was, and accused him of trying to assault the queen.
In verses 9-10, Harbona, one of the king’s servants, told the king about Haman’s gallows.
- With that, the king ordered Haman hanged on the gallows he had built to hang Mordecai.
- Haman was taken out and hanged on the gallows he had built for Mordecai, and the king’s anger subsided.
Some thoughts for additional consideration:
- The providential hand of God is apparent throughout these chapters. Mordecai learns of the king’s decree and can inform Esther and secure her help. Esther is allowed to come into the king’s presence. The king is gracious to her granting her request for two banquets. The delay between the two banquets gives Haman time to build the gallows. The king is unable to sleep and orders honor to be bestowed upon Mordecai by the very man who was trying to kill him. The gallows Haman built for Mordecai end up being the gallows upon which he was hanged.
- God often works through others, sometimes without us even realizing how He is bringing events to pass that will ultimately serve His purposes.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
