# Esther 05 đź“–: Esther Approaches the King
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[[-Esther Overview]] | [[Esther 05]] | [[Esther 06]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#🧠Chapter Summary]]
> [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]]
> [[#đź’¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#đź“‚ Internal Notes]]
## đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
## Esther Appeals to the King for Help
[[#Verse 01.]] It so happened that on the third day Esther put on her royal attire and stood in the inner court of the palace, opposite the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the palace, opposite the entrance.Â
[[#Verse 02.]] When the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she met with his approval. The king extended to Esther the gold scepter that was in his hand, and Esther approached and touched the end of the scepter.
[[#Verse 03.]] The king said to her, “What is on your mind, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even as much as half the kingdom will be given to you.”
[[#Verse 04.]] Esther replied, “If the king is so inclined, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for the king.”Â
[[#Verse 05.]] The king replied, “Find Haman quickly so that we can do as Esther requests.” So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.Â
[[#Verse 06.]] While at the banquet of wine, the king said to Esther, “What is your request? It shall be given to you. What is your petition? Ask for as much as half the kingdom, and it shall be done.”
[[#Verse 07.]] Esther responded, “My request and my petition is this:Â
[[#Verse 08.]] If I have found favor in the king’s sight and if the king is inclined to grant my request and approve my petition, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet that I will prepare for them. At that time I will do as the king wishes.”
## Haman Expresses His Hatred of Mordecai
[[#Verse 09.]] Now Haman went forth that day pleased and very much encouraged. But when Haman saw Mordecai at the king’s gate, and he did not rise or tremble in his presence, Haman was filled with rage toward Mordecai.Â
[[#Verse 10.]] But Haman restrained himself and went on to his home. He then sent for his friends to join him, along with his wife Zeresh.Â
[[#Verse 11.]] Haman then recounted to them his fabulous wealth, his many sons, and how the king had magnified him and exalted him over the king’s other officials and servants.Â
[[#Verse 12.]] Haman said, “Furthermore, Queen Esther invited only me to accompany the king to the banquet that she prepared. And also tomorrow I am invited along with the king.Â
[[#Verse 13.]] Yet all this fails to satisfy me so long as I have to see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”
[[#Verse 14.]] Haman’s wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, “Have a gallows 75 feet high built, and in the morning tell the king that Mordecai should be hanged on it. Then go with the king to the banquet contented.” It seemed like a good idea to Haman, so he had the gallows built.
## đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Esther went to the king on the third day (5:1), at the end of the fast she had called.
2. She put on her royal clothing before approaching the king (5:1).
3. The king offered her up to half the kingdom (5:3, 6), a common royal expression of generosity rather than a literal offer (Mark 6:23).
4. Esther invited both the king and Haman, perhaps so that Haman would be present when she exposed him.
5. Haman boasted about his riches, his many sons, and his promotion (5:11), and his ten sons are later named (9:7-10).
6. The pole Haman set up was fifty cubits high (5:14), about seventy-five feet.
7. Persians often executed people by impaling them on poles, which is why some translations say "impaled" rather than "hanged."
8. Zeresh, Haman's wife, gave the advice (5:14), and she later warned him that he could not win against Mordecai (6:13).
9. Reliefs from the Persian palace at Persepolis show the king seated on his throne holding a long scepter, much like the scene in 5:1-2.
10. The king asks Esther what she wants three times (5:3, 6; 7:2), building suspense.
## 🧠Chapter Summary
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the One who opens the way into the King's presence. Esther found favor when the king held out the golden scepter (5:2), and through Jesus we can approach God's throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).
## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đź’¬ Discussion Questions
1. Esther waited and invited the king to two banquets rather than asking right away (5:4-8). What does this teach about wisdom and timing?
2. Haman had wealth, honor, and family, but said none of it satisfied him while Mordecai sat at the gate (5:11-13). What does this reveal about bitterness?
3. Zeresh and Haman's friends urged him to build a tall pole for Mordecai (5:14). How do the voices around us shape our choices?
## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- đź“– verse 2: The king holds out the golden scepter, and Esther finds favor.
- đź“– verse 9: Haman leaves happy but is filled with rage when Mordecai does not rise or tremble before him.
- đź“– verse 13: Haman says none of his success satisfies him as long as he sees Mordecai at the king's gate.
## đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference
- đź”— [[Hebrews 04#Verse 16.|Hebrews 4:16]] - Approach the throne of grace with confidence.
- đź”— [[Mark 06#Verse 23.|Mark 6:23]] - Herod promises up to half his kingdom.
- đź”— [[Proverbs 16#Verse 18.|Proverbs 16:18]] - Pride goes before destruction.
- đź”— [[Proverbs 14#Verse 30.|Proverbs 14:30]] - Envy rots the bones.
- đź”— [[Ecclesiastes 03#Verse 01.|Ecclesiastes 3:1]] - There is a time for everything.
## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
đź“ť SOAP: [[Esther 05 - SOAP|Take A Step With Courage]]
## đź“‚ Internal Notes