B. The Plot Exposed chs. 5-7Chapters 5-7 carry us to the climax of our story. They show how God providentially preserved and protected His people.1. Esther’s preparations ch. 5Esther showed great wisdom in how she prepared to expose Haman as the enemy of the Jews and the Persian Empire. read more
Haman’s reaction 5:9-14God had kept Haman from discovering Esther’s relationship to Mordecai."It was an unusual honor to be invited to a banquet with the queen, for Persian officials were protective of their wives." [Note: Martin, p. 708.] The Persians placed great value on having many sons (Esther 5:11). [Note: Herodotus, 1:136.] A person of good character overlooks slights against himself or herself, but a man or woman of inferior character magnifies them (Esther 5:13). Haman may have erected... read more
Esther’s Petition to the KingAn account of how Esther, being favourably received by the king, invited him, together with Haman, to a banquet whereat she promised to make known her petition, and how Haman prepared for the execution of Mordecai.1. On the third day] This indicates that the fast of Esther 4:16 is not to be regarded as extending over three whole days. 6. The banquet of wine] This presumably followed the dinner. Herodotus states that the Persians, though moderate at their meals, were... read more
(9) He stood not up.—In Esther 3:2 we saw that Mordecai refused to bow or prostrate himself to Haman, here he refuses even the slightest sign of respect. The honourable independence of the former case here becomes indefensible rudeness. read more
Esther 5:13 The story of Haman was one of immense and rapid success. He had climbed high till he was the greatest man in the Persian Empire next to the king. But his pride had been wounded by the neglect of a certain Jew named Mordecai to bow before him and do him reverence. He could easily crush the insolent Jew with one word, but the insult had so mortified his pride that he could not be content with merely punishing the culprit. He could only appease his fretful irritation and revengeful... read more
HAMANEsther 3:1-6; Esther 5:9-14; Esther 7:5-10HAMAN is the Judas of Israel. Not that his conduct or his place in history would bring him into comparison with the traitor apostle, for he was an open foe and a foreigner. But he is treated by popular Judaism as the Arch-Enemy, just as Judas is treated by popular Christianity. Like Judas, he has assigned to him a solitary pre-eminence in wickedness, which is almost inhuman. As in the case of Judas, there is thought to be no call for charity or... read more
ESTHER AND THE KING AND HAMAN’S DELUSION CHAPTER 5 1. Esther before the king and her request (Esther 5:1-8 ) 2. Haman’s delusion (Esther 5:9-14 ) Esther 5:1-8 . On the third day Esther put on her royal apparel, a significant day in Scripture as we point out in the typical application of this chapter. The days of fasting and agony were passed and she is seen no longer attired in sackcloth but in royal garments. It is of great interest that Rabbinical exposition (Midrash) gives a tradition... read more
ESTHER'S BANQUET (vv. 1-8) After the three days of fasting, Esther's courage enabled her to enter the inner court of the king's palace, clothed in her royal robes. The king was sitting on his throne, and there is no doubt that God disposed his heart to hold out his golden scepter toward Esther. We can imagine the relief of her heart when he did this!Esther then approached and touched the top of the scepter.The kings's words to her were most magnanimous, offering her whatever she wanted, to... read more
THE JEWS IMPERILLED The events of this book belong chronologically after Zerubbabel’s company have gone to Jerusalem, and before the commissions of Ezra and Nehemiah. The scene is laid in Persia. Cyrus and Darius 1 have passed away, and Ahasuerus, son of the last named, and identified by some with Xerxes, and by others with Darius Hystaspes, is on the throne. He is a sensual, fickle, cruel despot. It was his great fleet that was defeated by the much smaller one of Greece at Salamis, about... read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Esther 5:9
HAMAN PREPARES FOR THE EXECUTION OF MORDECAI"Then went Haman forth that day joyful and glad of heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the kinifs gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was filled with wrath against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman refrained himself, and went home; and he went and fetched his friends and Zeresh his wife. And Haman recounted unto them the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he... read more