The Explanation

Esther put on her royal clothing. Her hands may have been shaking, but she walked into the inner court anyway. Nobody was allowed to come to the king without being called. Not even the queen. If the king did not hold out his golden scepter, that could be the end for her.

The king looked up. He saw Esther standing there. And he held out the golden scepter to her. Esther came near and touched the top of it. She was safe.

"What would you like, queen Esther?" the king asked. "Even to half of the kingdom, it shall be given you."

Esther did not blurt out her big request right away. She said, "Let the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared." So they came. Wine was poured. Again the king asked, "What is your petition? It shall be granted." And again Esther waited. "Let the king and Haman come tomorrow, to another banquet I will prepare. Then I will tell you."

Haman walked out that day joyful and glad of heart. The queen herself had invited him, and only him, to eat with the king. He felt like the most important man in the whole kingdom.

Then he saw Mordecai sitting at the king's gate. Mordecai did not stand up. He did not move, not even a little. And Haman was filled with wrath.

Haman went home. He called his wife Zeresh and his friends together and bragged about his riches, his many children, and how the king had lifted him up above all the princes. "Yet all this," Haman said, "avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."

So his wife and friends gave him an idea. "Let a gallows be made, fifty cubits high. Tomorrow morning, ask the king to hang Mordecai on it. Then go merrily to the banquet." Haman loved the plan. He had the gallows built that very night.

What Does This Mean?

Esther was brave, but she was also patient. She did not rush. She waited for the right moment to speak her true request, even though it must have been hard to hold it in. Would you have dared to wait, if you carried something that important inside you?

Haman looked powerful on the outside. Rich house, many children, a place next to the king. But inside, he was eaten up by anger over one man who would not bow. A heart full of pride can never have enough. It always wants one more thing.

The Common Thread

Nobody in this chapter speaks the name of God out loud. But watch closely. A door that should have stayed shut swings open for Esther. A scepter is held out just in time. God is working quietly behind everything that happens, even when nobody sees His hand. That is how God often works, hidden, patient, but never absent. He was preparing to save His people, long before anyone could see how.

For You

Sometimes you carry something important inside you, a question, a worry, something you need to say. You do not always have to blurt it out at once. You can wait for the right moment, and pray while you wait. And when you feel jealous or angry, like Haman did, tell God about it instead of feeding it.

Talk About It

Esther waited before she told the king her real request. Why do you think that was wise?

Haman had so much, but one thing made him miserable. What does that tell you about pride?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank You that You are working even when we cannot see You. Give us courage like Esther, to be patient and brave at the same time. Help us not to let jealousy grow inside us. Thank You that You see us and care for us always. Amen.