[:en]SCRIPTURE: ESTHER 5
“When the king asked: What is it Queen Esther? What is your request? Even half to the kingdom, it will be given you.” (Esther 5:3)
“My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for him. Then I will answer the king’s question” (Esther 5:8)
ESTHER’S REQUEST TO THE KING (vs. 1-8)
After the Jews and Esther had fasted and prayed for 3 days, Esther appeared at the entrance to the throne room of the king. The king lifted his golden scepter and called Esther in. The king asked Esther about her request but she did not tell Xerxes right away. Instead, she invited Haman to a banquet that day. Then she delayed for another to reveal her true request by inviting them again to an exclusive banquet with Haman. The king yielded to her wish.
HAMAN’S RAGE AGAINST MORDECAI (vs. 9-14)
Haman went out that day happy and puffed up with pride. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate without showing fear in his presence, he was filled with anger. He decided to bring up some charges against Mordecai and had him executed. His wife Zeresh suggested to build a gallows 75 feet high to have Mordecai hanged from it. Haman listened to his wife’s suggestion and followed her advice.[:]