ESTHER LESSON 5


     We will begin this lesson in Esther 5:1 "Now it came to pass on
the third day, that Esther put on [her] royal [apparel], and stood in
the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house:
and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over
against the gate of the house."

     This was as dangerous for Esther, as it was for Daniel to walk
into the lion's den. Her life would be taken, or spared, with the
wishes of her king and husband. The three days of fasting had taken
place.  She was assured the LORD was with her. She put on the garments
of the queen to go to her king on his royal throne. She did not rush
into the throne room unannounced. She waited outside, but in full view
of the king. He was seated on his throne looking toward the very spot
in the inner court where she was standing. She was beautiful and he
was full of love for her, we must remember.

     Esther 5:2 "And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen
standing in the court, [that] she obtained favour in his sight: and
the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that [was] in his hand.
So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre."

     When he reached out his sceptre to her, it showed that he was not
angry with her for coming to him unannounced. She was forgiven for
any error on her part in coming. The king knew that Esther was not a
selfish woman from past experience. He knew something of real
importance was troubling her, or she would not have taken this chance.
Her touch of the sceptre extended to her was her humbly thanking him
for receiving her.

     Esther 5:3 "Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen
Esther? and what [is] thy request? it shall be even given thee to the
half of the kingdom."

     It was very obvious from this statement, that he had great love
for Esther. In calling her his queen, he was saying he accepted her as
his wife. He respected her, it was obvious. He would have to admire
her courage, as well. This is a type and shadow of the Christians
drawing near to the throne of God. He has reached out and invited us
to come. It is important that we touch Him, as well. The king offered
her anything she wanted unto the half of the kingdom. It is
interesting, again, that the Christians will be joint-heirs with
Jesus.  He has offered to share with us, as well.

     Esther 5:4 "And Esther answered, If [it seem] good unto the king,
let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have
prepared for him."

     We know that was not the real reason that she came. At the point
of him offering her half of his kingdom, she could have asked for the
life of the Jews. That would have gotten a yes, or a no, quickly, but
Esther was smarter than that. There were many people still praying for
her.  She had the wisdom of God guiding her every word. It would have
been unusual for her to ask the king to come to dinner, but it was
extremely unusual for her to ask Haman to come, too. Men and women in
Persia did not eat together, unless it was a private family affair.
Haman thought of himself even more highly than before, after she made
this request for him to come.

     Esther 5:5 "Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that
he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the
banquet that Esther had prepared."

     The king gave Haman permission to come. They came to the banquet
as Esther had requested.

     Esther 5:6  "And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of
wine, What [is] thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what
[is] thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be
performed."

     The king was aware that this banquet was not the request that
Esther risked her life for. Again, he repeated that he would give her
up to half of the kingdom, if that was her desire. We may assume that
Esther still did not feel sure of herself in this matter, and that the
LORD was leading her in every word she uttered.

     Esther 5:7 "Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my
request [is];" Esther 5:8 "If I have found favour in the sight of the
king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform
my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall
prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said."

     We cannot assume to guess why Esther put this off another day,
except the Lord had her to do it. She knew she had found favor with
the king, or he would not have offered her half the kingdom. She was
saying, "give me one more day and I will tell you my request".

     Esther 5:9  "Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a
glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he
stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against
Mordecai."

     Haman was feeling really proud of himself for being invited to
the queen's banquet twice with the king. He still hated Mordecai. What
did Mordecai have to lose? What more could Haman do to him than kill
him?  Haman was totally unaware that Esther was a Jew.

     Esther 5:10 "Nevertheless Haman refrained himself: and when he
came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife."
Esther 5:11 "And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the
multitude of his children, and all [the things] wherein the king had
promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and
servants of the king."  Esther 5:12 "Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther
the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that
she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also
with the king."

     Haman had ten sons, and he was bragging to them, his wife, and
friends of his great standing with the king and, now, with the queen.

     Esther 5:13 "Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see
Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate."

     His hate for Mordecai was so great that he could not even enjoy
the fact that the king and queen were his friends.

     Esther 5:14 "Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto
him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak
thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou
in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased
Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made."

     Since the king and queen thought so much of Haman, he should have
no difficulty hanging one Jew. If fifty feet was the correct height
here, it meant he wanted people all over town to see him hang
Mordecai.  He would be able to take revenge on him in that way. Haman
was pleased with this idea, and he immediately had the gallows built.

     The lesson, here, is obvious. Whatever you reap, you sow. Hate
destroys you, regardless of whom you hate. Haman would be destroyed
for his great hate of Mordecai and the Jews.




























                          Esther 5 Questions


1.  When did Esther decide to go see the king?
2.  How was she dressed?
3.  Where did she stand?
4.  Where was the king?
5.  How dangerous was this for Esther?
6.  What must we remember about the king's feelings toward Esther?
7.  What did the king do, when he saw Esther?
8.  What did Esther do, as she drew near?
9.  What did the king ask her?
10. What did he call her, when he asked?
11. What did the king offer her?
12. What is verse 3 a type and shadow of?
13. What did Esther ask the king and Haman to do?
14. What was unusual about this?
15. Why did Esther not immediately ask for the Jews to be saved?
16. In verse 5, what was necessary for the king to do, before Haman
    came?
17. What question did the king ask Esther at the banquet?
18. What did he offer her again?
19. In verse 7 and 8, what was she really asking for?
20. How did Haman feel about being invited to the queen's banquet with
    the king?
21. What spoiled it for him?
22. Who was Haman bragging to about his relationship with the king and
    queen?
23. What did his wife and friends suggest, that he do about Mordecai?
24. Haman was totally unaware that Esther was a _______.
25. How tall was the gallows said to be?