CHAPTER 5
On the third
day,
Esther
put on
her royal attire
and stood
in the inner
courtyard
of the palace
across from
the king's
quarters.
The king
was sitting
on
his royal
throne
in the royal
courtroom,
facing
the
entrance.
As soon as the king
saw
Queen
Esther
standing
in the courtyard,
she found
favor
in his sight.
The king
extended
the gold
scepter
in his hand
toward Esther,
and she
approached
and touched
the tip
of the scepter.
“What
is it,
Queen
Esther?”
the king
inquired.
“What is
your request?
Even up to
half
the kingdom,
it will be given
to you.”
“If
it pleases
the king,”
Esther
replied,
“may the king
and Haman
come
today
to
the banquet
I have prepared
for the king.”
“Hurry,”
commanded
the king,
“and bring Haman,
so we can do
as Esther
has requested.”
So the king
and Haman
went
to
the banquet
that
Esther
had prepared.
And as they drank
their wine,
the king
said
to Esther,
“What
is your petition?
It will be given
to you.
What is
your request?
Even up to
half
the kingdom,
it will be fulfilled.”
If
I have found
favor
in the sight
of the king,
and if
it pleases
the king
to grant
my petition
and fulfill
my request,
may the king
and Haman
come
tomorrow
to
the banquet
I will prepare
for them.
Then I will answer
the king's
question."
That
day
Haman
went out
full of joy
and glad
of heart.
At the King’s
Gate, however,
he
saw
Mordecai,
who did not
rise
or tremble in fear
at his presence.
And Haman
was filled
with rage
toward
Mordecai.
Nevertheless, Haman
restrained himself
and went
home.
And calling for
his friends
and his wife
Zeresh,
Haman
recounted
to them
his glorious
wealth,
his many
sons,
and
all the ways
the king
had honored
and promoted him
over
the other officials
and servants.
“What is more,”
Haman
added,
“Queen
Esther
invited
no
one
but
me
to join
the king
at
the banquet
she prepared,
and I
am invited
back
tomorrow
along with
the king.
His wife
Zeresh
and all
his friends
told
him,
“Have them build
a gallows
fifty
cubits
high,
and ask
the king
in the morning
to have Mordecai
hanged
on it.
Then go
to
the banquet
with
the king
and enjoy yourself."
The advice
pleased
Haman,
and he had the gallows
constructed.