Esther's Request of the King

May 19, 2024
Pastor Jack

platter of food and wine

Esther 7:1-10

So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther. And the king again said to Esther, on the second day while they were drinking, “What is your petition, Queen Esther? It will be given to you. What is your request? It will be given to you—even half the kingdom.” Then Queen Esther answered, and she said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, O king, and if it is good to the king, let my life be given to me at my petition and my people at my request; I and my people have been sold to be destroyed and killed, to be annihilated. If we had been sold as male and female slaves I would have kept quiet, because this is not a need sufficient to trouble the king.” And King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who gave himself the right to do this?” And Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this evil Haman!” And Haman was terrified before the king and queen. The king rose in his anger from the banquet and went to the palace garden, and Haman stood to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he realized that the king was determined to make an end to his life. And the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, where Haman was lying prostrate on the couch that Esther was on, and the king said, “Will he also molest the queen with me in the house?” As the words went from the king’s mouth they covered Haman’s face. And Habrona, one of the eunuchs in the presence of the king, said, “Look, the same gallows that Haman had prepared for Mordecai who spoke good for the sake of the king stands at Haman’s house, fifty cubits high.” And the king said, “Hang him on it.” And they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai, and the anger of the king was abated.

Climax of the book; Good prevails over Evil.

Esther 7:1–6 (ESV):

So the king and Haman went in to feast with Queen Esther. 2 And on the second day, as they were drinking wine after the feast, the king again said to Esther, “What is your wish, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be fulfilled.” 3 Then Queen Esther answered, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be granted me for my wish, and my people for my request. 4 For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. If we had been sold merely as slaves, men and women, I would have been silent, for our affliction is not to be compared with the loss to the king.” 5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Queen Esther, “Who is he, and where is he, who has dared to do this?” 6 And Esther said, “A foe and enemy! This wicked Haman!” Then Haman was terrified before the king and the queen.

  • What is happening here?
  • What do you think of Esther’s handling of this revelation?

Esther 7:7 (ESV):

7 And the king arose in his wrath from the wine-drinking and went into the palace garden, but Haman stayed to beg for his life from Queen Esther, for he saw that harm was determined against him by the king.

  • Why do you think the King went into the garden?
  • What do you think is going through Haman’s mind?
    • What is Haman probably sorry about?
    • Do we sometimes place too much emphasis on the fear of consquence rather than the restoration of a relationship with God?
  • What has Haman done to the king?

Esther 7:8 (ESV):

8 And the king returned from the palace garden to the place where they were drinking wine, as Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was. And the king said, “Will he even assault the queen in my presence, in my own house?” As the word left the mouth of the king, they covered Haman’s face.

  • What’s happening here?

Esther 7:9–10 (ESV):

9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs in attendance on the king, said, “Moreover, the gallows that Haman has prepared for Mordecai, whose word saved the king, is standing at Haman’s house, fifty cubits high.” And the king said, “Hang him on that.” 10  So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the wrath of the king abated.

  • Can you define irony?

Thoughts for Reflection

  • What is pride?
    • How did Haman’s pride impact him?
    • How can our pride affect us?
    • How can our pride affect others?
  • What do you think of the Kings decision making and his council?
    • Did he seek good council?
    • Did he intentionally surround himself with wise advisors?
    • Do you?
  • How about Esther - did she follow wise advice?
    • Who gave her guidance?
    • How did she respond to his advice?
    • What was the outcome?

Pride leads to destruction. Be reliant on God.
Be more like Esther! Be faithful! Trust God!

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